Lonnie Morris Keeps Marin Helping

Lonnie Morris, Probation Officer with Marin County Probation Department, keeps Marin helping.    

 “The most rewarding part of my work is when individuals and families come in or call or write and say thank you and recognize the change in their husband, father, mother, aunt grandfather or son.” Lonnie Morris, Probation Officer with Marin County Probation Department

SIX QUESTIONS WITH LONNIE

1.     As a Probation Officer, what kind of work do you do?

I deal with the state prisoners for the Criminal Justice Realignment Act in the state, specifically non-serious, non-violent and non-sexual offenders, although we still give assistance to all the inmates that are here in Marin County. We also work in sending them into the community for mandatory supervision after serving their prison time locally in county prison, as opposed to state prison. I work with 1170Ha prisoners who serve straight prison time as well as 1170Hb prisoners who are sentenced to mandatory community supervision after being released.

2.   What kinds of problems do you solve most frequently?

Here in the jail usually the high percentage of prisoners have addiction problems and also struggle with homelessness and lack of housing.

    3.    Is there one particular project or accomplishment you would say is emblematic of your work?

We now have a Reentry Team, which is a collaborative effort within the jail system, probation system and other county structures that works to give inmates a better chance when they get out. Because former inmates have custody time to finish in the community or mandatory community supervision, we work with other agencies throughout the county to give services once they are released.

    4.   What do you consider a victory on the job?

Victories are measured in small quantities and successful completion of goals in terms of inmates that stay out for an extended period of time or longer than they stayed out of custody before. A success is if the former inmates are able to reunite with their families or find housing and gain full employment. A victory overall is not returning to the prison system for anything.

    5.   What would happen to your clients if your department were downsized or eliminated? How would the general public be affected?

We are getting the people with the realignment of the state that are now not going to state prison, which would be at a tremendous cost to the state. We are now helping individuals like never before. We would lose the partnership of the community entities if this department was eliminated.

  6. What is the most rewarding part of your work?

The rewarding part of my work is when individuals and families come in or call or write and say thank you and recognize the change in their husband, father, mother, aunt, grandfather or son. Just a simple thank you is the most rewarding part of my work.