Staff-Led Change Teams at the Helm of Probation Quality Improvement Processes: The Plan-Do-Study-Act Project in the Massachusetts Probation Service

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Elizabeth Archer is an Assistant Chief Probation Officer in the Greenfield District Court in Greenfield, Ma, where she has served in this position since 2019. With over 27 years of experience in the Massachusetts Trial Court she began her career as a family service advocate in the Child Abuse Unit for the Northwestern District Attorneys office. Ms. Archer entered the Massachusetts Probation Service in 2001 as an associate probation officer and was promoted to probation officer in 2008 where she served until her most recent appointment. Throughout her career, she has been driven by the core values of integrity, accountability and service. She has developed and maintained collaborative relationships with judges, attorneys, law enforcement and social service providers. These partnerships have fostered a consistent case management practice, enhanced service delivery and consistently contributes to the achievement of team goals. Ms. Archer is recognized for her reliability, adaptability and proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues. She is committed to continuous learning and applying new skills to enhance team performance and supports organization growth. Outside of her role in the probation service, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, golfing and traveling to new places.

Antoinetta (Tonie) DeAngelis is a highly dedicated Massachusetts Trial Court employee with a proven track record of employing entrepreneurial thinking and innovative practices within the Trial Court to support the development of new programs and initiatives. With over 26 years of experience in transformational leadership, change management, and improving outcomes for justice-involved individuals, Chief DeAngelis has become a respected leader in her field. Chief DeAngelis began her career as an associate probation officer in 1998 and has since advanced through various roles, serving as a probation officer in Hampden County for thirteen years. In May 2013, she was appointed Chief Probation Officer of the Greenfield District Court, which serves 19 cities and towns in Franklin County, Massachusetts. In addition to her responsibilities as chief probation officer, Chief DeAngelis is a lead instructor at the Massachusetts Probation Service Training and Operations Center, where she develops and delivers curricula designed to meet the evolving needs of probation personnel in a dynamic social service environment. Chief DeAngelis is deeply committed to reducing recidivism, enhancing community safety, and helping clients achieve long-term positive change. Outside of her role in the Trial Court, she is a national speaker with more than 20 years of teaching experience.

Michael Manteria is the Assistant Chief Probation Officer at Hampden County Superior Court, where he oversees a team of six and drives high standards of accountability, as reflected in his office’s top audit performances. With over two decades of experience in both juvenile and adult probation, Michael is recognized for his leadership in community initiatives, program development, and cross-agency collaboration. He is a certified instructor in defensive tactics, natural response control, and OC spray, frequently training probation staff across Massachusetts. Michael also serves as an adjunct professor at Western New England College, sharing his expertise in criminal justice and sociology. As an active member of local advisory boards and community committees, he is committed to public safety, innovative rehabilitation programs, and mentoring the next generation of justice professionals. Michael holds a master’s in rehabilitation counseling from Springfield College and a BA in sociology from North Adams State College.

Dexter McKenzie has served as a Probation Officer with the Massachusetts Probation Service since 1997. Prior to working at the Salem District Court, Mr. McKenzie was stationed at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston from for several years and dealt with high-risk cases such as Armed Robbery, Armed Assault, Attempted Murder, Armed Home Invasion, and many more. Throughout this period, Mr. McKenzie was able to learn more about the complexity of this work. Mr. McKenzie has served as an active member of the Change Team for the George Mason Improving Public Safety Outcomes Through Reduced Conditions of Supervision since the onset of the project.

Mr. Alex Schirripa serves as a probation officer in Middlesex County Superior Court in Woburn, MA. Mr. Schirripa is a graduate of Suffolk University in Boston, MA, where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree as a double major in Sociology with a focus in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Mr. Schirripa also attended Suffolk University for graduate school, where he received a master’s degree in criminal justice studies. Mr. Schirripa started with the Massachusetts Probation Service as an Associate Probation Officer in Essex County Superior Court, where he worked for a year before becoming a probation officer at Middlesex Superior Court. Mr. Schirripa has been a PO at Middlesex Superior Court for a little over two years now. During his time as a Probation Officer, he has become involved in the Changing Lives Through Literature program and is currently one of two probation officers facilitating the program at Middlesex Superior Court. In addition to this, He is part of a team of probation officers assigned to assist in training new hires and have been involved in a number of pilot programs, including the Bravo-M and the partnership with George Mason University, where is a member of the Middlesex Superior Court Change Team.

Faye S. Taxman, Ph.D. is a University Professor at George Mason University. Dr. Taxman is recognized for her work in the development of the seamless systems of care models that link the criminal justice with other service delivery systems, as well as reengineering probation and parole supervision services, and organizational change models. She conducted a multi-level organizational survey of the correctional and drug treatment systems to examine the utilization of evidence-based practice in correctional and drug treatment settings and the factors that affect the adoption of science based processes and interventions. She has several studies that examine the efficacy of various models of technology transfer and processes to integrate treatment and supervision. In one study, she explores the use of contingency management and incentive systems for drug-involved offenders. Her work covers the breadth of the correctional system from jails and prisons to community corrections and adult and juvenile offenders. She has had three R01 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and one cooperative agreement. She has also received funding from the National Institute of Justice, National Institute of Corrections and Bureau of Justice Assistance for her work.

Ms. Tara Yaffi is a skilled professional with 20 years of expertise in the Massachusetts Probation Service. Beginning her career in 2005 as an Associate Probation Officer, Ms. Yaffi was promoted to the position of Probation Officer at Suffolk Superior Court in 2015 and in the City of Boston supervising high risk caseloads. Ms. Yaffi remained in that position until 2018 when she was promoted to Assistant Chief Probation Officer at Suffolk Superior Court In 2020, Ms. Yaffi returned to Lynn District Court to continue her supervisory duties. In July 2025, Ms. Yaffi was promoted to the Chief Probation Officer for the Salem Court.In addition to her supervisory duties, Tara serves as a mentor. Tara has served on interview panels for the hiring processes, engaged in focus groups to address policy and procedure and coordinated the Changing Lives through Literature Program in Lynn. Ms. Yaffi has conducted training on the violation process both in Lynn and Suffolk. Tara has been a part of the core change team for the George Mason University research and training project since the inception of the project. Ms. Yaffi has enjoyed collaborating with other court departments and staff at the Lynn District Court during this exciting opportunity. Ms. Yaffi prioritizes training, growth and professional development amongst her peers and continues to enjoy working with probationers to achieve long-term positive change.

Justin is currently a Probation Officer at Plymouth Superior Court in the Massachusetts Probation Service. Justin graduated from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Following graduation, Justin worked with the Key Program Inc. working with at risk youth in group homes, outreach and tracking, and as a therapeutic mentor. In 2014, Justin began working for the Massachusetts Probation Service in the Electronic Monitoring Office (ELMO) monitoring GPS supervision and remote Alcohol testing. Justin accepted his current position as a Probation Officer with the Plymouth Superior Court in 2017, working in both Brockton and Plymouth sessions.