Arnold to take helm at county probation

Adele Arnold takes over as Tuolumne County’s chief probation officer next month, replacing retiring chief Shirlee Juhl.

Between budget issues, launching a new juvenile hall project and starting up new programs under a California Senate bill that will infuse money into counties to keep offenders from violating their probation, Arnold will have her hands full.
 

But Arnold, who turns 57 on Monday, said she is looking forward to starting the job.

"I have many exciting things ahead of me,” she said.

Tuolumne County Superior Court Presiding Judge Eric DuTemple recruited Arnold for the position after the formal interview process came up short of hiring a chief.

He will swear her into the position at a ceremony at noon July 1 in the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors chambers.

Arnold will make an annual salary of $108,701.

Arnold is a native of Santa Monica who graduated from California State University, Chico.

She will move to the area with her husband.

Arnold is coming from the Siskiyou County Probation Department, where she serves as chief probation officer. Along with administration, planning, organization and management of adult and juvenile probation, she also oversees the Charlie Byrd Youth Corrections Facility.

She has more than 18 years of experience in adult and juvenile probation.

Before that, she was a lead court officer with the Siskiyou County Adult Children’s Services. Her responsibilities included training new social workers on policy and procedures of taking children from unsafe or unhealthy situations as well as reuniting them with their parents following rehabilitation.

She was also involved in foster care eligibility and training.

In 2007, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed her as a member of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Corrections Standards Authority Board, representing small probation departments.

She remains on that board after a reappointment in April.

Arnold is also on the State School Attendance Review Board representing chief probation officers across the state.

“She has been recognized not only locally for accomplishments but statewide,” DuTemple said. “It’s an incredible mixture of experience and knowledge in the field of all areas of probation.”   
 

During the search for a new chief probation officer, the formal process ended without a replacement for Juhl. This process included interviews with a panel made of Judge Doug Boyack, District Attorney Donald Segerstrom, Supervisor Dick Pland and County Administrator Craig Pedro.

Time pressures prompted DuTemple to seek out Arnold, who he was aware of professionally.

“She by far is the best candidate we considered for that position, and we are fortunate to steal her away from Siskiyou County,” he said.

Calaveras County Chief Probation Officer Michael Kriletich knows of Arnold and looks forward to having her come to his neighboring county.

“My hat’s off to Tuolumne County and Judge DuTemple, and I’m exited she would want to come here,” he said.

Arnold said a number of things drew her to the area. Tuolumne County is similar to Siskiyou County but more centrally located. It also has a more moderate climate.

The prospect of helping the county build a juvenile hall was also appealing, she said. She was part of a similar project in Siskiyou County.

“I really enjoyed that building process,” she said. “I think that I can lend some experience to that project here.”

DuTemple is relieved to have a new chief in place, after the long selection process. Juhl stayed on part-time after her retirement to help fill the gap.

But with budget concerns and the prospect of a juvenile hall on the horizon, he was eager to fill the position.

“It’s an absolute release,” he said. “I was extremely concerned.”

Arnold has no solid plans in front of her for the department other than to get to know the county when she comes on.

“I look forward to being part of that criminal justice community down there,” she said.