MODESTO, Calif. — The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors is poised to approve an agreement on Tuesday allowing the Probation Department to integrate artificial intelligence technology into its operations, a move officials say will alleviate chronic staffing shortages and improve efficiency in managing cases.
The AI model, known as PEARL (Personal Engagement Automated Resource Liaison), was developed by Cognisen with assistance from Stanislaus County, along with San Mateo and San Joaquin counties. It is designed to handle administrative tasks such as summarizing police reports and drafting case notes, freeing up probation officers to focus on rehabilitative efforts, field contacts, and other proactive responsibilities.
For several years, the Probation Department has struggled with vacancies in its Deputy Probation Officer classification, exceeding 20% despite sustained recruitment efforts. These staffing challenges have limited the department’s capacity to perform probation functions, often leaving officers bogged down by time-sensitive tasks such as report writing and data gathering.
“PEARL will provide much-needed relief by automating routine tasks and allowing officers to spend more time engaging with clients, performing field visits, and using evidence-based practices,” the department stated in a report. “It represents a critical step forward in modernizing our operations while maintaining accountability.”
The five-year, $1.96 million contract with Cognisen will be partially funded by the county’s Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) allocation and Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) funds. The agreement includes a $240,000 service credit, recognizing Stanislaus County’s role as a pilot county during PEARL's development. Similar contracts are also in progress in San Joaquin and San Mateo counties.
To ensure confidentiality and data security, PEARL is designed to utilize internal department data without sharing information externally or using it for further AI training. Cognisen has assured compliance with federal regulations governing criminal justice records and the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) standards.
The item is part of the Board of Supervisors’ consent calendar for Tuesday's meeting and is expected to pass without opposition. The Probation Department plans to implement the AI system beginning July 1, 2025.
This marks Stanislaus County as one of the first in California to adopt an AI-driven solution tailored specifically for probation services, underscoring the department’s commitment to providing evidence-based rehabilitative programs while addressing ongoing staffing constraints.
