Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today appointed Vincent N. Schiraldi as Commissioner of the Department of Probation. Commissioner Schiraldi is a national leader in the field of rehabilitation, with more than 25 years of experience and a record of reform and success. He most recently led Washington, DC's Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, where he turned a troubled agency that was on the verge of being placed under court supervision into a national model. His reforms were recently recognized by Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government "Innovations in American Government" awards program for being among the "Top 50" most innovative programs in the country. He will replace Acting Commissioner Patricia Brennan, who has served ably as Acting Commissioner since the departure of Commissioner Martin Horn last summer and will return to her role as Deputy Commissioner for Juvenile Operations. The Mayor announced the appointment in the Blue Room of City Hall, where he was joined by Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs. Commissioner Schiraldi is expected to begin work at the Department of Probation in February.

"Reducing crime requires tough law enforcement and smart, aggressive policing, but it also means ensuring that those who've been arrested and sentenced to probation don't get into trouble again," said Mayor Bloomberg. "We're doing more than ever to help people leaving our prisons and jails reintegrate into society, but there is a lot more work to do and we are bringing in a national leader to move us forward. I know Vinny will bring the innovative thinking that has produced success at rehabilitation agencies around the country to the Probation Department and build on the success that Marty Horn and Pat Brennan achieved. I want to thank Nat Leventhal and Andrea Shapiro Davis for hard work in bringing Vinny back home to New York City. And I want to give special thanks to Pat Brennan for her admirable leadership during this time of transition."

"We were extremely fortunate to find an individual with the extraordinary experience and credentials that Vinny is bringing to the department," said Deputy Mayor Gibbs. "His record of success and developing new and original ideas will allow us to continue the progress we have made in ensuring offenders can build a healthy life and stay free of the temptations of crime."

"I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg for giving me the chance to come home to New York and work to make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers who have gotten in trouble with the law," said Commissioner Schiraldi. "Working in an administration where innovation and willingness to try new solutions to age old problems is encouraged is an opportunity I will take full advantage of and I look forward to working with the dedicated men and women of the department."

"For nearly five years Vinny Schiraldi has been a tremendous asset to the District, aggressively reforming the city's juvenile justice system," said District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. "He's created and implemented innovative programs that will serve as national best practice models for years to come. Some of the District's most troubled youth have greatly benefited from his work and commitment during my Administration as well as the previous Williams Administration. I wish Schiraldi much success, and congratulate Mayor Bloomberg on an excellent choice for probation commissioner."
 
Commissioner Schiraldi founded the Center on Juvenile & Criminal Justice, a non-profit dedicated to reducing society's reliance on imprisonment as a solution to social problems. He has published more than 30 articles and has served on 10 boards and commissions in the field.

His professional experience includes work as Director of the District of Columbia Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, Founder and Executive Director of the Justice Policy Institute in Washington, DC, Western Regional Director of the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives in San Francisco, California, Case Developer at the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives in New York City, Houseparent/Recreation Coordinator at the New York State Division for Youth, Foster Parent at the San Francisco Department of Social Service and lecturer on juvenile justice reform at San Francisco State and Georgetown Universities.

The Department of Probation gives adult and juvenile offenders the tools they need to redirect their lives and holding them accountable if they fail to lead a law-abiding life. Probation works to strengthen families and reduce the number of juveniles removed from their homes. The department works with community groups and other criminal justice agencies, providing information and services to the courts and giving victims a voice in the justice system.

Commissioner Schiraldi graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Binghamton University and with a Masters in Social Work from New York University. He currently lives in Washington, DC and will be relocating to New York City. He is a native New Yorker who grew up in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Commissioner Schiraldi is married and has two children.

The replacement search was led by Nathan Leventhal, Chairman of the Mayor's Committee on Appointments, and Andrea Shapiro Davis, Special Advisor to the Mayor.