Intensive Session: Leading and Embracing the Future: Artificial Intelligence in Community Supervision - Integration, Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Applications

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Dean Dittmann began his IT career over two and a half decades ago in the private sector as an end user support technician. Working for a small business, he worked his way through the ranks from service to sales and eventually becoming the location manager in California’s Central Valley. Seeking a new challenge, Dean joined a start-up company specializing in data services, telephony and converged networks. While with this company, Dean carried out a variety of roles doing everything from pulling cable to programming complex phone systems and configuring converged networks supporting computer-telephone integration. When presented with the opportunity to work for a Fortune 50 company, Dean left the startup and joined PepsiCo where he honed his skills managing enterprise-wide IT and network projects eventually serving as Senior Technician in the California region. After leaving PepsiCo, Dean joined the Placer County Probation Department in the spring of 2020. Although new to the industry, Dean went right to work leading a project to replace the department’s case management system. Dean has remained as the department’s Senior IT Specialist leading several other projects, initiatives and support staff.

Steve Jackson serves as Chief Probation Officer for the San Joaquin County Probation Department, overseeing community supervision services in one of California’s largest counties, with a population of more than 800,000 residents. Chief Jackson was appointed Chief of the San Joaquin County Probation Department in March of 2020 having begun his career in 1998 as a Probation Officer in Stanislaus County. In 2019, he served as the Assistant Chief of the San Joaquin County Probation Department and was then appointed the Chief Probation Officer in 2020. Chief Jackson has administered, supervised and worked in nearly every assignment and division within the probation organization throughout his career. Prior to leaving Stanislaus County, he was the Superintendent of the Juvenile Hall and Juvenile Commitment Facility. Chief Jackson also spent time as a Range Master and ASP Baton Instructor. He believes it is the Department’s obligation to serve, educate and collaborate with the community to promote positive change in clients and bring healing to impacted families, victims and communities. A recognized early adopter of artificial intelligence in community supervision, Chief Jackson led one of the earliest pilot implementations of AI-enabled probation tools and will share practitioner-focused insights on their impact on officer efficiency.

Michael Laughlin holds a Master’s in Counseling/Guidance and is a former Senior U.S. Pretrial/Probation Officer-Specialist, later serving in multiple jurisdictions as a County Manager for Jail Diversion, Pretrial, and Criminal Justice systems. He is past President of Texas Association of Pretrial Services and currently serves on their Professional Development Committee, as well as Co-Chair of the APPA Technology Committee’s AI Subcommittee. Additionally, Mr. Laughlin is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and nationally Certified Pretrial Release and Pretrial Diversion Professional. He served over 30 years within clinical and criminal justice systems at municipal, State, County, and Federal levels providing and managing treatment services, and Federal/County Courts overseeing clients and staff as a Senior Officer, treatment and workforce specialist and manager. During this he led successful multi-disciplinary, cross-system team projects around in-custody and community-based treatment, jail diversion, and reentry/workforce programs leading to local and national replication. Mr. Laughlin has also trained many groups around treatment, corrections, criminal justice, pretrial, workforce development, data metrics, and field technology topics. He looks forward to fostering fresh ideas here around leveraging data analytics to strengthen public safety, operations, and outcomes for staff, agencies, clients, and stakeholders.

Vik Manne is the a passionate and innovative enterprise security architect and Artificial Intelligence (AI) researcher with extensive experience helping organizations succeed in complex technology initiatives. As a former Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, he provides mission-critical technical leadership across enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

Ashley Martin has 19 years of experience with the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services. She began her career as a field probation agent supervising high-risk populations and later served as a subject matter expert in evidence-based assessments, supervision planning, and violation decision-making. She currently serves as an Evidence-Based Analyst, where she supported an artificial intelligence pilot by developing business metrics, training managers, and overseeing auditing and data management processes. Her work focuses on aligning emerging technologies with evidence-based practice, operational realities, and realistic implementation expectations. Ashley holds a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and served six years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

Brian Passenheim began his career with the Placer County Probation Department in 2004 as a Deputy Probation Officer, starting at the Juvenile Detention Facility. A graduate of Woodcreek High School in Roseville, California, Brian launched his career as a Correctional Officer with the Brookings County Detention Center in South Dakota. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from South Dakota State University in 2001, with minors in Criminal Justice and Spanish. Following his undergraduate studies, Brian served as a Parole Agent with the South Dakota Department of Corrections before returning to California to continue his public service. Throughout his tenure at the Placer County Probation Department, Brian has promoted through every rank, demonstrating strong leadership and a commitment to excellence. He served as Assistant Chief Probation Officer from 2021 until his appointment as Chief Probation Officer in March 2025. In addition to his leadership roles, he has held a wide range of responsibilities including Background Investigator, Field Training Officer, Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, Co-Coordinator of the CSEC team, and Evidence Room Manager. In 2023, Brian earned a Master of Science in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego. Brian is passionate about serving the community and is honored to lead the department in its mission to enhance public safety, promote rehabilitation, and support positive change throughout Placer County.

Cristel Tullock, is the Chief of the San Francisco Adult Probation Department. Chief Tullock holds a MSW and a BA in Criminology and Corrections. With 25 years of experience in community corrections, she has trained with Kaiser Permanente's Psychiatry Department and contracted with California’s Mental Health Department to develop reentry strategies for sex offenders. Her expertise spans local, state, and national criminal justice reforms, and she has led a variety of programs designed to help justice-involved individuals rebuild their lives. Among her many accolades, she received the San Francisco District Attorney’s Victim Services Award from Kamala Harris in 2007. Additionally, she graduated from the APPA Leadership Institute in 2016 and is an active member of both the APPA AI Committee and the APPA Technology Committee.