Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Adult Probation: Enhancing Probation Practices for Safer Communities, Transition to a Risk Based Supervision Model

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For 13 years, Sarah served with the Hamilton County Adult Probation Department in both Municipal and Common Pleas divisions, where she advanced through roles as Probation Officer, Probation Officer Specialist, and Probation Officer Supervisor. During this time, she also oversaw an outpatient drug and alcohol program through the Talbert House Day Reporting Program, funded by a DRC grant, providing critical support to justice-involved individuals pursuing recovery and rehabilitation. Most recently, Sarah has worked with the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Probation Department to pilot and implement a Behavioral Management System in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute (UCCI) and New York University (NYU). In addition to her leadership and program development experience, Sarah is a certified facilitator for CBI: Sex Offender and CBI: Foundations groups and serves as a trainer for Carey Guides. Her work reflects a deep dedication to advancing effective supervision, behavioral change, and community safety.

Tiana Johnson is the Chief Probation Officer for the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Adult Probation Department, where she leads with purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to justice reform. With nearly two decades of service, she has risen through the ranks to become a transformative leader in community corrections. As the first woman and first African American to hold this position in Hamilton County’s history, Tiana is a trailblazer dedicated to advancing public safety, reducing recidivism, and promoting evidence-based practices. Her leadership emphasizes accountability, research-driven strategies, and compassion. Under her direction, the department has undergone major restructuring to centralize operations, strengthen risk-based supervision, and improve outcomes for both probationers and the community. Tiana holds a Master of Arts degree and professional licensure in chemical dependency counseling, with an endorsement in gambling addiction. Her expertise supports a holistic approach to rehabilitation and behavioral health integration within the justice system. A graduate of several leadership programs, she is a strong advocate for professional development, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and community partnerships that foster reentry success. Grounded in integrity, perseverance, and servant leadership, Tiana continues to inspire innovation, hope, and excellence in the field of criminal justice.

Joe Lambers holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (2007) and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (1998) from the College of Mount St. Joseph. With 26 years of experience in the criminal justice field, Joe has built a distinguished career focused on evidence-based practices, staff development, and program innovation. For 19 years, Joe served at River City Correctional Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked as Program Director overseeing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) programming, including Thinking for a Change, CBI–Substance Abuse, CBI–Employment, and other CBT-based interventions. His leadership helped shape effective programming focused on rehabilitation and positive behavioral change. Over the past seven years, Joe has been with the Hamilton County Adult Probation Department, where he successfully implemented a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program and currently serves as the Quality Assurance Director. He collaborates closely with department leadership to advance a Risk-Based Supervision Model designed to improve outcomes and public safety. Joe has also partnered with the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute (UCCI) to organize and deliver staff training in CBI–Foundations, Core Correctional Practices, Case Planning, Motivational Interviewing, and Continuous Quality Improvement. His work reflects a steadfast commitment to professional excellence and effective community corrections.