Lake County Adult Probation Department Chief Craig Berry earns statewide honor – News-Herald

The Ohio Chief Probation Officers Association has selected Chief Craig Berry of the Lake County Adult Probation Department to receive the Vince Polito Leadership Award.

This award is presented to a probation or community corrections executive who has performed their duties in an outstanding manner and/or made significant contributions to the respective probation or community corrections profession at the local, regional, or state level, according to a news release. The recipient may also have brought credit or honor to the profession through participation or involvement in community activities or programs.

Berry, with 30 years in the field of criminal justice, was nominated and is being recognized statewide for his dedication and leadership in the community as well as his contributions to the community corrections and probation profession.

“He diligently enforces the court’s orders while securing care for probationers so they can be better prepared to succeed in the community,” the release stated. “He motivates offenders to want to do positive things with their lives and provides resources necessary to be successful on community supervision.

“It goes without saying that his education, research, and best practices positively impact behavior change and reduces recidivism in offenders.”

In addition to being the chief probation officer for Lake County Adult Probation, Berry was a past president of the Ohio Chief Probation Officer’s Association and is also the current chair of the Lake County Corrections Planning Board as well as a board member of the  Facility Governing Board of North East Ohio Community Alternative Program.