Your view
What's the first step in reforming the Probation Department?
A two-part Globe Spotlight report has revealed the state's Probation Department to be "an agency whose payroll is thick with patronage hires, whose sloppy financial controls make it vulnerable to employee theft, and where political contributions by employees often appear tied to career advancement."
Probation Commissioner John J. O'Brien was suspended yesterday, but lawmakers are already at odds over what the next step is.
What do you think? Is there any way for the state to efficiently revamp an agency that has been dysfunctional for years? If so, what should its first move be?
Post your thoughts in the comments section and we'll feature the best responses later today on The Angle.![]()
© Copyright 2010 Globe Newspaper Company.





