Albany County Probation Department – Albany, NY

Albany County Probation Department

The Albany County Probation Department is a critical component of the county’s criminal justice system, located at 60 South Pearl Street in downtown Albany. This agency is tasked with the supervision of adults and juveniles who have been sentenced to probation rather than incarceration. Their mission balances community safety with offender rehabilitation, providing structured monitoring and access to treatment services.

Adult and Court Services

For the criminal courts, the department prepares comprehensive Pre-Sentence Investigations (PSI). These reports provide judges with the background information necessary to make informed sentencing decisions. Once an offender is placed on probation, officers enforce court orders, which may include drug testing, curfew checks, and mandatory participation in treatment programs. They also manage Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI), such as the Pretrial Release Services program, which supervises defendants awaiting trial.

Juvenile Services and Diversion

A significant portion of the department’s work focuses on youth. The Juvenile Division handles intake for Family Court, often diverting cases away from the court system through early intervention. They manage Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS)—youth struggling with truancy or behavioral issues—and Juvenile Delinquents (JD). 🤝 Restorative Justice: The department operates the Juvenile Community Accountability Board (JCAB), where community volunteers help youth understand the impact of their actions and repair the harm caused to victims.

• Supervision: Monitoring offender compliance with conditions of release.
• Victim Services: Collection of restitution and Victim Impact Panels.
• Intake: Assessment of domestic violence and family offense petitions for Family Court.