PRESS RELEASE

Yolo County Chief Probation Officer Rachelle Gayton announced today that Probation Services Week will be celebrated July 20–26, honoring the frontline officers and staff who help build safer communities.

“On behalf of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, I want to express our deepest appreciation for the dedicated work of our Probation Department, “said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Mary Vixie Sandy. “These professionals are often the unsung heroes in our justice system working quietly, diligently, and with compassion to create lasting change. We are proud to recognize and celebrate them during Probation Services Week.”

Throughout the week, Yolo County Probation Department will highlight the work of local officers and staff who help reduce crime and recidivism by providing justice-involved individuals with court-ordered accountability, supervision, and access to services that support long-term rehabilitation. These trained professionals serve on the front lines of California’s justice system, promoting public safety through a unique model that blends enforcement with evidence-based rehabilitation.

“Probation services week is an opportunity to shine the light on the positive impact we make on the county,” stated Yolo County Chief Probation Officer Rachelle Gayton. “Our officers and staff bring strength, integrity, and heart to a role that changes lives and strengthens this wonderful community. During probation week we celebrate their unwavering commitment and the extraordinary work they do.”

Probation professionals serve as key connectors within the justice system and their communities bridging courts, schools, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, and service agencies to ensure individuals have the supervision and tools they need to succeed. With over 350 hours of required training in their first two years alone, plus ongoing annual instruction, probation officers are highly trained professionals who balance the need for offenders to have accountability while supporting their rehabilitation and long-term success out of the justice system.

“CommuniCare+OLE has proudly partnered with Yolo County Probation for over 20 years on a variety of initiatives and services that promote the health and well-being of our community,” said Sara Gavin Chief Behavioral and Community Health Officer for CommuniCare+OLE. “This long-standing collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting individuals on their path to recovery, healing, and a better quality of life. Yolo County Probation’s dedication is evident in their meaningful relationships with clients and community partners, and in their active role in joint health efforts including providing more trauma-informed care. When systems can effectively partner and align with shared goals, our clients and communities' benefit. We are proud of our continued partnership to create more holistic and effective solutions for our community.”

In Yolo County, and across California, probation delivers a cost-effective, community-based alternative to incarceration that protects public safety while improving lives. By addressing the root causes of criminal behavior and helping people transition successfully out of the justice system, probation departments are critical to building safer and better communities for all.

Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig states, “probation is the only criminal justice partner that is involved in and provides services throughout the entirety of a criminal case. From their 365 day Supervised Own Recognizance program, which engages immediately with the incarcerated person upon their arrest, to analyze their suitability to be released on their own recognizance, to their post-sentence supervision program, they are involved every step of the way ensuring the safety of victims, offering services to justice involved individuals and supporting the orderly administration of justice. The District Attorney’s office is especially appreciative of their immediate leadership and pro-active approach in implementing Prop. 36.”

Yolo County Public Defender, Tracie Olson added, “Chief Rachelle Gayton has helped lead a shift toward smarter justice in Yolo County. By supporting data-driven alternatives like mental health and addiction intervention courts, Probation is showing that holistic, compassionate approaches not only change lives, but they also make our communities safer.”

As an alternative to incarceration, probation professionals help keep communities safe through individualized supervision and by connecting people to critical services such as substance use treatment, workforce development, housing support, and mental health.

Probation Services Week is a time to honor the dedication of probation professionals who work every day to make our communities safer and stronger. For more information about Probation Services Week or the Yolo County Probation Department, please call (530) 406-5320 and follow Yolo County on Facebook @YoloCounty throughout the week to join in the celebration.