Probation and Correctional Alternatives, Division of

In 1901 (Chapter 372), the legislature passed the State's first probation law, which provided for the appointment of probation officers by justices of various courts. In 1907, a State Probation Commission was established (Chapter 430) to supervise the work of all probation officers. During the reorganization of State government in 1925-26, this commission was continued as head of the Division of Probation within the Department of Correction. In 1970 (Chapter 479), the Division of Probation was removed from the Department of Correction and made a division within the Executive Department. A division director, appointed by the governor, became the head of the agency and served on the State Probation Commission along with four other gubernatorial appointees. In 1971, the membership of the commission was changed to consist of nine members: three community members appointed by the governor; two local probation administrators or officers appointed by the governor; and the directors of court administration of each of the four State judicial departments. A year later, the division director was added as chairperson, and the State's administrative judge of the unified court system replaced the four judicial department directors. In 1985 (Chapter 134), the Division of Probation was renamed the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives. This law merged the functions of the Division of Probation with the Comprehensive Alternatives Program that previously had been part of the Division of Criminal Justice Services.