Santa Clara County wants to help homeless people on probation avoid extra jail time by bringing legal services to encampments.
People on probation are required to attend regular meetings with a probation officer and court hearings. But for homeless people who lack transportation, making these appointments becomes an obstacle, which can lead to longer probation periods or going back to jail. The county aims to reduce these barriers by having a mobile probation service center.
The county has purchased two vehicles, technology and equipment to operate a mobile service center through a $707,000 state grant. The vans will offer the same resources as the brick and mortar location, giving homeless people a chance to connect with a probation officer to fulfill their requirements. Officers can also inform homeless people of when their next court appearance is, provide hygiene kits and connect them to employment, drug treatment and mental health resources. Each van can hold up to five officers.
“If we don’t have that connection that’s made, the person is likely to not engage as many services,” Probation Division Manager Daron Story said at a Wednesday news conference. “We want to get them into as many services and treatment programs as possible, but we also want to avoid any further court appearance that they may incur from failing to report.”…