Vehicles to Serve as `Mobile Service Centers' for Probationers, Parolees

RIVERSIDE (CNS) - Parolees and probationers in Riverside County who
are homeless or otherwise unable to find readily available transportation to
make court dates or check in with their assigned agents now have the option of
utilizing ``mobile service centers'' provided by the Department of Probation.
  

``Reliable transportation should never be the deciding factor in
whether someone succeeds on probation,'' Chief Probation Officer Christopher
Wright said. ``By meeting people where they are, our Mobile Service Centers
remove a major obstacle, helping clients stay on track, fulfill court-ordered
requirements and ultimately move forward with their lives.''
  

A $1.7 million state grant awarded to the county in 2023 enabled
purchase of the two service vehicles, which are akin to RVs, though the
vehicles are fully enclosed for privacy.
  

Wright compared them to having a ``probation office on wheels.''
  

One of their main functions will be to provide appointment spaces for
homeless probationers and parolees to check in and confer with their assigned
county agents. However, they can also be configured to livestream court
hearings, enabling parties to make remote appearances in front of judges and
attorneys.
  

Outside of that, tele-health stations will be available for ``virtual
counseling, substance-use disorder treatment and mental-health appointments,''
according to the Department of Probation.
  

``(The units) have document printers and scanners so clients can sign,
submit and receive paperwork immediately,'' the agency stated. ``There will
be on-site referrals to housing, employment and vocational training partners,
reducing the number of homeless clients living on the streets.''
  

Departmental spokeswoman Natalie Rivera said pilot testing of the
vehicles and their services was positive.
  

``We firmly believe the addition of these units will lead to fewer
violations, fewer warrants and more success stories,'' Rivera said. ``When
clients can focus on rebuilding rather than scrambling for a bus ticket,
everyone -- families, neighborhoods and taxpayers -- wins.''
  

Officials said the process of providing advance notice to probationers
and parolees who may be on the streets is still being ironed out, but for
the time being, they will be randomly parked in local parks, outside homeless
shelters, near libraries and other accessible locations where they're readily
visible on any given day.
  

They will also be on display in the parking lot of the County
Administrative Center on Lemon Street in downtown Riverside during Tuesday's
Board of Supervisors' meeting.

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