BUDGET/EMPLOYEES
The department consists of 363.7 allocated positions and has a 2002-03 budget of $23,096,003.

MISSION/VISION STATEMENT
As a major partner in the justice system, in collaboration with public and private entities, we will increase opportunities through cost effective programming for individuals at risk and offenders to experience success in socially and legally acceptable ways. For those who choose not to make positive changes, we will recommend and impose consequences, thereby holding offenders accountable and protecting public interest and safety.

PROBATION FUNCTION
Probation is a form of criminal sanction, imposed by a court on an offender in lieu of incarceration, which allows the offender to serve the sentence under supervision in the community. It is often referred to as "Community Corrections." Since it is not feasible either socially or economically to imprison all offenders, probation provides a cost effective alternative for offender management. The Probation Department assists the court not only by helping to identify suitable candidates for probation, but also by recommending appropriate sanctions to be imposed, including time in custody, fines, restitution, and community service. The department also helps identify those persons who are poor risks for probation by providing information to the court to justify their removal from the community. Once probation is ordered, the Probation Officer designs an appropriate supervision plan for the offender which guides him/her toward accepting the responsibilities of being a law abiding citizen. The Probation Department operates the juvenile hall, which is a temporary detention facility for juveniles from the time of arrest through their court proceedings. Also, the department provides a Probation Camp for juveniles needing treatment away from home.