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Summit adult probation dir. of offender services discusses goals
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 25, 2018
After spending a significant part of her career working in the pretrial services department of the Summit County Common Pleas Court, Kerri Defibaugh now has been named director of offender services in the Summit County Adult Probation Department.
“I am very excited about this opportunity to lead the department,” said Defibaugh, who also serves as interim director of the Pretrial Services Department. “Our Pretrial Services Department is nationally known for its progressive stance in the pretrial felony stage and my goal is to raise the stature of our adult probation department to the same level.”
Summit County Common Pleas Court Administrative Judge Amy Corrigall Jones said the judges are optimistic that Defibaugh will do an excellent job in her new role, while continuing to lead the Pretrial Services Department as interim director.
“Kerri has extensive experience and training in the court system,” said Judge Corrigall Jones. “She is recognized statewide for her dedication to the criminal justice system and she is one of the hardest working people in the courthouse.
“One of her greatest leadership qualities is humility,” said Judge Corrigall Jones. “Despite her many accomplishments she remains humble. She has forged many relationships within the legal community and we are truly blessed to have her as our new director of offender services.”
Defibaugh officially began the job as director of offender services on June 4.
In her new role, she is responsible for overseeing the administration of the department of 64 employees, managing a multimillion budget as well as policymaking.
“I am still learning the ropes, but I do want to institute a number of changes to enhance and improve the functioning of the department,” said Defibaugh. “It’s a challenge but I enjoy challenges and I love to stay to busy.”
Born in Buffalo, New York, Defibaugh grew up in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor’s degree in American politics from The University of Akron, beginning her career as a court advocate at the Battered Women’s Shelter in Akron in April 2001.
She left the following year to take a job as a pretrial services officer at the Summit County Common Pleas Court.
“I already had a lot of knowledge about the court system when I started at the court so it made the transition easier,” said Defibaugh.
Defibaugh, who lives in Akron with her husband Michael, assistant director of law in the City of Akron Law Department, and their son Riley, was promoted to director of the Pretrial Services Department in 2014.
She will continue to serve as interim director for the foreseeable future.
“I am very proud of the fact that I was able to maintain the department’s stellar reputation during the time that I was director,” she said. “Everyone in my department is cross-trained, which is a huge bonus for any government agency since we can step in for one another should someone be out sick or on vacation.”
Last year the court received grant funding, which Judge Corrigall Jones said was used to cover the cost of an assessment of the adult probation department by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC).
Defibaugh said she plans to begin implementing the recommendations of the NCSC in the next 30 days.
Susan Sweeney, assistant court executive officer at the Summit County Common Pleas Court, said during Defibaugh’s 16 years with the court, she has been sought out by other courts and agencies for input and guidance on leading an effective pretrial services department.
Sweeney said she expects Defibaugh will continue that same level of leadership in her new role.
“Kerri is an exemplary manager and perhaps even more importantly, an outstanding leader,” said Sweeney. “I’m confident she will lead the Summit County Adult Probation Department to the next level.”
She currently serves as an At-large Director board member for the Ohio Association of Pretrial Services Agencies and has presented before the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission on issues such as bail reform.
“I am going to work tirelessly to update our department, with a focus on reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation, to serve the court and our community in this new role,” said Defibaugh. “With the support of the judges and a well designed plan, we will be a nationally recognized probation department.”