January 2024

"Conversation with the Commissioner" answers MPS employee questions and outlines top priorities

Commissioner Pamerson Ifill and the Executive team addressed nearly 600 Massachusetts Probation Service employees, outlined the agency's "three top priorities," and answered more than 50 questions during the Conversation with the Commissioner (CWC), a 90-minute webinar on January 17th. The Conversation will continue with quarterly virtual meetings where all MPS employees are invited to attend. To learn more about the CWC, click on Conversation.

Pamerson Ifill takes Oath as 10th Commissioner of Probation

Pamerson Ifill, a 30-year employee of the Massachusetts Probation Service, was sworn in as the 10th Commissioner of the nation’s first Probation Service before an audience of family, friends, and Trial Court colleagues. The ceremony took place at the Adams Courthouse on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. Massachusetts Trial Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Locke administered the oath to Commissioner Ifill prior to Chief Locke's retirement. In the photo, left to right, are Court Administrator Thomas Ambrosino, newly-appointed Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi Brieger, Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Serge Georges, Commissioner Pamerson Ifill, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, recently retired Trial Court Chief Justice Locke, and retired Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey.

***Click on the top right photo to view the video of the swearing in.



The Top Three Priorities of

Commissioner Pamerson Ifill and the Executive Team:

Probation Commissioner Pamerson Ifill has set three top priorities as he begins his role as the new commissioner. Commissioner Ifill's goals are as follows:

• A comprehensive review of all MPS policies and procedures such as the Critical Incident Policy; ORAS Standards and Forms for the Risk/Need Classification System; and all local office policies.

• Building a strategy for community engagement which will include the allocation of funding for planning meetings as well as court and community-based events. 

• Improving employee morale and satisfaction featuring leadership development and training as well as working to enhance employee engagement and support across all roles and responsibilities. 



Probation Officer Entrance Exam- Registration is

January 15 - February 21, 2024



Registration for the Massachusetts Probation Officer Entrance Exam will begin January 15 and run through February 21, 2024.

Once registered, candidates may choose their preferred testing date and time. There will be no postings once registration for the new exam opens on January 15, 2024, according to Yvonne Roland, Deputy Commissioner for Administrative Services.

If you apply for a posting after January 15th, you must take and pass the 2024 Probation Officer exam. If you were involved in the hiring process prior to January 15, 2024, and have exam results from 2017, 2019, or 2023, the exam results are considered valid and may be used when applying for a Probation Officer's position, according to Deputy Commissioner Roland.

MPS' Top Accomplishments of 2023

The Massachusetts Probation Service (MPS) can boast of a number of accomplishments during 2023. Some of these accomplishments have helped change the trajectory of MPS clients while other MPS achievements were made thanks to enhanced operations, innovative initiatives, and through the dedicated work of MPS employees. MPS is on track in the agency’s improvement of its services for clients represented in the more than 360,000 cases handled by the agency. 

You may read about MPS' Top Accomplishments in hiring (Administrative Services Division), housing (Reentry Services), assisting victims and survivors (Victim Services), MassHealth enrollment and text message reminder service (Pretrial), drug testing (Substance Use Services), Electronic Monitoring (ELMO), legal (Legal Unit), and training (Training Unit).

**Click on Top Accomplishments to read more.

MPS Business Update

New Year, A New Community Justice Support Center in Haverhill

A new Community Justice Support Center in Haverhill has begun accepting clients this week. The new 6,500-square-foot center is located at 200 Main Street and features "a large welcoming lobby area, large classrooms, a computer lab, break rooms, and ample parking," according to Vincent Lorenti, Director of Community Corrections. A Grand Opening at the center will be held March 29th at noon.

Governor Maura Healey signs MPS’ $9 million Supplemental Budget

The Massachusetts Probation Service’s $9 million supplemental budget was passed by the State Legislature and signed by Governor Maura Healey on December 4, 2023. It includes union employee pay raises for members of Local 6 and NAGE. The MPS’ $925 million FY 2025 budget incorporates the $9 million carried over from fiscal year 2023, according to First Deputy Commissioner Dianne Fasano. Click on Supplemental Budget to read more.



MPS Moves & Accomplishments

Top photo: Christine Drew, Dr. Carmen Gomez, and Dudley District Probation Officer Nilza ,Sylvestre.

Massachusetts Probation Service employees are making a mark and doing great things.

Barnstable District Court Probation Officer Christine Drew was honored with an "Unsung Hero" Award by the Barnstable County Human Rights Advisory Commission in December.

Dudley District Chief Probation Officer Nilza Sylvestre will serve as guest speaker at the January 25th Hi-Set Graduation Ceremony at the Webster Regional Resource Center, a facility run by the Worcester County Sheriff's Department.

****Do you know an MPS employee who has received an award or recognition or is that person you? Have you or a colleague presented at a conference, or have a speaking engagement? Have you received a promotion? Please remember to share your good news and contact Coria at [email protected]



Congratulations Cultural Proficiency Champions!!



The Cultural Proficiency Champions, aka Champions, were recognized at the 2023 Cultural Appreciation Week Awards and Recognition Ceremony at the Massachusetts Training and Operations Center (MTOC) on January 5, 2024. 

* Don't forget to check out the Diversity Calendar

MPS in the News

The Massachusetts Probation Service is regularly featured in positive news coverage. The following are select MPS stories that have appeared in the local and national media.

• Boston Globe, story on new Probation Commissioner Pamerson Ifill.
• Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly story on Commissioner Ifill's appointment.
• Concord Bridge news story on the opening of Concord Mental Health Court.
• WHMP Radio's "Talk the Talk" interview with Commissioner Ifill.
• National Public Radio's Morning Edition interview with Commissioner Ifill.

*****Click on News to check out the stories.

Do you have a story idea or news to share?



Contact Coria at [email protected]

or by text: 617-429-5629