Parole and Probation Week Recognized

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners formally recognized the work of local probation, parole and community supervision officers, proclaiming July 19–25, 2026 as Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week in Lincoln County. Commissioner Casey Miller read the proclamation at the start of the board’s meeting, noting that juvenile and adult community supervision is “an essential part of the criminal justice and public safety system.” The proclamation stated that Lincoln County Community Justice professionals “uphold the law with dignity and affirm the right of the public to be safeguarded from criminal activity,” while also arranging services aimed at prevention, intervention and behavior change.

Ian Williams from Lincoln County Community Justice appeared before the board on behalf of Director Campa. Williams reported that the department was supervising about 400 individuals, currently handled by five probation officers, with a sixth officer scheduled to start work on Monday, June 29. He said the team also included two technicians, one of whom oversees the county’s Youth Tides housing units. Since March 1, 19 residents had moved on to appropriate housing and 25 had found full-time employment. Six residents had either regained or maintained a driver’s license. Knowles said there were currently 32 residents across the four facilities, with 19 of them employed.

Williams described community justice work as a blend of social services and law enforcement. “I kind of came into the role with a social service background, so I saw it as a good kind of crossover between law enforcement and social services,” he said. He explained that officers focused on rehabilitation and providing tools for success, while still enforcing court-ordered conditions. “We also don’t want to be a hammer all the time, because they got to win sometimes. I mean, they need to be invested in what they’re doing, and that’s kind of our approach as a team,” he said.

Commissioner Miller praised the staff as “almost like Swiss Army knives” with “well-rounded capabilities to really move people to the next successes in their lives.” Williams noted there could be confusion, even among some law enforcement agencies, about the specific authority and role of community justice officers, which sometimes overlapped with, but also differed from, traditional law enforcement.

When asked about the biggest barriers facing people on supervision, Williams pointed first to housing and then to employment, especially for those with felony records or certain types of convictions. He said Lincoln County was fortunate to have some housing options available, while many counties see people released from custody with nowhere to go. Employment barriers upon release was also brought up as challenges that those getting out of jail face.

The board also heard an update on the Youth Tides shelter expansion from Community Justice supervisor Angela Hoake, who said the remodel was nearly complete, with some added storage, interior work and exterior painting still to be finished. The facility provides short-term respite care and placement for youth in foster care, those who are homeless, or those who have run away from home. Hoake said staff work to reconnect youth to family when appropriate.

Commissioners unanimously approved the proclamation and thanked Community Justice staff for their work. Miller confirmed that a Community Justice barbecue was planned for Wednesday, July 22, in the west parking lot, and that it would be open to the general public.