Nevada County’s Chief Probation Officer has been reappointed to a State Board by Governor Brown. This will be Mike Ertola’s second 3-year term on the Board of State and Community Corrections. He has headed the local probation department since 2012 and has served in several positions since 2001, including probation program manager for adult services…

click to listen to Mike Ertola

Ertola says one recent issue of interest for them has been whether counties can allow families to visit inmates who are only on video…

click to listen to Mike Ertola

Earlier this year, the Board voted to require future jails to include space for face-to-face visits, leaving it optional for current jails. Ertola says both options are offered at the Wayne Brown Correctional Facility. Only 5 counties have outright bans of in-person visits. Ertola says another significant issue has been administering funding to provide inmate treatment space at jails. The position on the Corrections Board requires State Senate confirmation and there is no compensation.