New Chief Probation Officer Named for Sixteenth Judicial District

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June 26, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Karen Salaz

303/837-3633

1-800-888-0001 Ext. 633

New chief probation officer named for Sixteenth Judicial District

Tobin Wright to fill position July 1

Tobin Wright will become the new chief probation officer on July 1, 2006, for the Sixteenth Judicial District, which includes Bent, Crowley and Otero counties. Wright currently is a probation supervisor for the Twenty-first Judicial District (Mesa County).

“I am looking forward to my new position and hope my wide range of experience will benefit the Sixteenth Judicial District,” Wright says. “I am eager to begin living and working in the Arkansas Valley.”

Wright has bachelor of arts and master of science degrees in psychology from
Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan., and has worked in probation and related fields since 1988. Wright’s previous positions include court services officer, forensic counselor in a sexual predator treatment program, psychologist at a juvenile correctional facility, intensive supervision officer in two community corrections programs, director of a court community services program and director of a county community corrections program, all in Kansas.

As chief probation officer, Wright will administer and supervise the Sixteenth Judicial District Probation Department which oversees adult and juvenile offenders. Probation, as a sentencing option for the court, is a component of Colorado’s judicial system.

Probation provides the court and communities a cost-effective sentencing option for many offenders. Probation officers help the offender become accountable for his or her actions while also taking an active role in repairing the harm caused to the victim as well as the community. Probation officers also provide offender supervision as well as identifying appropriate treatment alternatives. Staying in the community often allows the offender to receive counseling and medical services that will address many of his or her needs.

In addition to the chief probation officer, the Sixteenth Judicial District Probation Department consists of 10 staff members who supervise adult and juvenile offenders, conduct alcohol evaluations, assist victims and perform collections investigations. An additional position has been allocated effective July 1, 2006 for a probation officer supervisor.
The department currently supervises 394 adult offenders and 96 juvenile offenders in the Sixteenth Judicial District.

This information is provided as an e-mail service of the Colorado Judicial Department,, Office of State Court Administrator, 1301 Pennsylvania Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colo. 80203. To discontinue this service or update your e-mail address, please respond to this message with your name, contact information and any comments.