CASES congratulates Ana Bermúdez on her appointment as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation. Ana worked at CASES for ten years, beginning as Deputy Director for Court Services in 1997 and eventually serving in a variety of roles, including as Deputy Director for Youth Teams, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, and Co-Director of Community Prep High School, a partnership high school developed and operated by CASES with the New York City Department of Education.
At the March 11, 2014, announcement of the Ana’s appointment to Commissioner of Probation, Mayor Bill de Blasio emphasized the need “to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and lower incarceration rates.” In her statement, Ana spoke about her experience of the impact of organizations like CASES and the role of the agency she will now lead. “The Department of Probation is one of the strongest resources we have to rehabilitate our city’s former offenders and offer them viable opportunities for overcoming their involvement in the justice system. I’ve seen, firsthand, the power that alternative-to-incarceration programs have on our city’s youth, and the difference we can make in a young person’s life when we treat them like people, not criminals.”
For video of the announcement ceremony, which also included other key appointments by Mayor de Blasio within the City’s criminal justice system, please see NYC.gov.