Sarah Osborne named new probation director in Orleans County

Photos by Tom Rivers: During the Orleans County Legislature meeting on Tuesday, Sarah Osborne was introduced as the county’s new probation director.

ALBION – Sarah Osborne, a supervisor in the Orleans County Probation Department, has been named the department’s new director. She will succeed Luci Taylor-Welch who is retiring on July 10 after 33 years with the department.

Osborne has worked with probation the past decade. She started as a probation officer and for nine years supervised sex offenders. The past year she has been a supervisor for probation.

Lynne Johnson, the Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, on Tuesday welcomed Osborne to the county’s team of department heads. Osborne’s appointment was approved by the Legislature on Tuesday.

Johnson commended Taylor-Welch for her career in probation.

“She has been an incredible asset to Orleans County,” Johnson said.

Osborne said Taylor-Welch has been a strong leader for probation, which currently includes the director, a supervisor and six probation officers.

“She has a passion for community supervision,” Osborne said. “Probation is an alternative to incarceration. It’s necessary in a community for growth and as an opportunity for rehabilitation of offenders.”

The Orleans County Legislature also issued a proclamation on Tuesday recognizing July 16-22 as “National Pre-trial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week.”

Legislators said community corrections is an essential part of the justice system.

“Community corrections professionals are responsible for supervising adult and juvenile offenders in the community,” the proclamation states. “Community corrections professionals are trained professionals who provide services and referrals for offenders.”

Those working in probation often connect those on probation to other services in the community. Those workers also provide services, support and protection for victims of crimes, and advocate for restorative justice, legislators said.

Pictured at the Legislature meeting on Tuesday includes, from left: Officer Matthew Quider, Officer Katie Vick, Senior Officer Casey Gearing, Officer Karen Krug, Probation Assistant Michelle Coots, Officer Christian Burns and Supervisor Sarah Osborne.