Bill Damiano, one of Humboldt County’s longest-serving public servants, has announced he will retire in April of next year. The county’s chief probation officer, Damiano first began working in the department Oct. 1, 1988.
“I’ve spent more than half my life here,” Damiano told the Journal in a phone interview. “It’s time for a new leader to come in and see what they can do for the department.”
Damiano, who saw the probation department through the challenges of juvenile and adult realignment, led the office to renewed state incentive funding after meeting goals related to probationer progress, and has been a consistent voice in favor of improved substance abuse treatment and mental health resources. Damiano graduated with a psychology degree from San Diego State and worked in mental health befor beginning his current career. For a long-read about the impact of realignment and Damiano’s thoughts on rehabilitation, here’s a link to a 2012 cover story on the subject.
Damiano says he tends to “focus on the positive” and that he’s excited abo
ut the next chapter in his life, which will include volunteer work, possibly with the incarcerated.
“I’ve always had a personal commitment to helping people try and change their lives,” Damiano said. “I’m really happy for this career. This agency has been a really forward-
thinking department. It’s not afraid to try new and innovative practices.”
He added that, after 30 years, the department has been “like his family.”
“It’s kind of a curiosity to me, what that looks like on the other side of being here,” he said.
This article appears in Maria Garcia, Citizen.
How,exactly, is a larger children’s prison “innovative”?
Humboldt County wouldn’t need that $20 million expansion if it made sure that its many local youths needing emancipation had those services!! Humboldt County’s youth unemployment is unacceptable and far in excess of the state average.
Trying to stay “positive” undermines the legitimate and overwhelming anger residents need to express and to begin electing new leadership at our county and our city halls.
(“Brightsided”, How Positive Thinking is Undermining America”, by Barbara Ehrenreich).
Are children really children and how many deserve to get the living shit slobber knocked out of them…….. DESERVED Ass whoopings resolve a lot of adolescent bullshit, saves a lot of money too…… both positives……..
Damiano would say anything to prop up the gubbamint that pays him off so well that he can live a better life and volunteer……. familiar sight of the public employee……..help grow gubbamint and be rewarded…….it was never about helping kids, it was about personal occupation and perks……kids are a political tool, will always be tools…….
Kids are tools……
It is going to take twenty years to undo the damage he has brought to prob dept by hiring unqualified people. Instead of helping these kids, he has basically funneled this kids into being career criminals.