Probation Department issues memos on media contact and USB drives following criticism of Chief Juanita Holmes.

Probation Commissioner Juanita Holmes has taken significant steps to tighten communication policies within New York City’s Department of Probation (DOP) following allegations of mismanagement and staffing upheaval. The recent actions come after a July 28 hearing by the City Council raised questions about the agency’s operations, sparking criticism of Holmes’ leadership.

On August 11, Holmes’ aide, Antonio Pullano, issued an email to all Probation employees reiterating the long-standing policy that prohibits staff members from speaking with reporters without prior approval from the communications team or the commissioner. This directive is intended to control the narrative and ensure that information disseminated to the media meets specific standards established by the department. Additionally, a memo released earlier in the week prohibited the use of thumb drives in the office. The department stated that these devices posed significant security risks and could compromise sensitive data.

In a notable development within the agency, a sign labeled “Authorized Personnel Only” appeared outside the Human Resources division at the Probation headquarters. This move reflects increasing concerns regarding governance and transparency within the department, particularly in light of recent turnover among staff and the hiring practices employed under Holmes’ leadership.

In a report by Media News Source, revelations surfaced regarding Holmes sidelining Chief Information Officer Razwan Mirza while hiring her niece, Demmi Slaughter, under controversial circumstances. While the agency claims Slaughter was brought on as a certified IT administrator, internal documents identified her as the Assistant Commissioner of Information Technology, raising ethical questions about nepotism in government staffing.

Compounding these issues, internal statistics revealed a 19% increase in the rearrest rates of probationers during Holmes’ tenure. Despite this, Holmes had previously asserted during congressional hearings that these figures were decreasing, attributing any discrepancies to alleged data manipulation by her predecessor, Ana Bermudez. The rise in rearrests undermines the department’s core mission of preventing reoffending, drawing scrutiny from both the public and city officials.

The backdrop to these developments includes inquiries made by the Media News Source about the agency’s recruitment practices and the troubling data regarding rearrests. City Comptroller scrutiny has also resulted in restrictions on the Probation Department’s ability to self-register certain contracts, particularly following questions about an ,000 SUV purchased for Holmes.

Amid these controversies, Probation spokeswoman Regina Graham defended the communication protocols, emphasizing that they are consistent with city policies established under previous administrations. Additionally, Graham stated that the policies ensure accurate information is communicated to the public.

The City Council has echoed concerns regarding the leadership challenges within the Probation Department, highlighting the potential risks these issues pose to public safety and community stability. Calls for an external audit of the agency have emerged as officials seek to restore public confidence and address systemic shortcomings.

In confronting these challenges, Holmes has expressed readiness for an external review to improve the agency, which she described as having been in an antiquated state prior to her leadership. The adjustments in communication policies and operational procedures reflect her administration’s response to mounting pressures for transparency and accountability within the Department of Probation.