Probation Services Nominated for Clifford Skeen Award

November 15, 2023

The court is proud to announce that the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Probation Services department was nominated for the 2023 Clifford Skeen Award – Prison Diversion Program. Other nominated programs included Lorain County Adult Probation Department and Cuyahoga County Adult Probation Department, with the winning department being Shelby County Court Probation.

The nomination shows that court professionals in the state of Ohio recognize the court’s commitment to community corrections. Thank you to the Probation Services staff for showing incredible dedication to serving the citizens of Montgomery County every day.

What is the Clifford Skeen Award?

The Clifford Skeen Award was initiated as part of former Governor George Voinovich’s administration to demonstrate commitment to community corrections as a viable alternative to incarceration.  The award was conceptualized by former Lieutenant Governor and former U.S. Senator Mike DeWine and former Director Reginald A. Wilkinson of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and was first presented in 1993.

The Clifford Skeen Award is given in honor of the late, eight-term Ohio Representative, Clifford Skeen, who sponsored the Community Correction Act passed by the Ohio Legislature in July 1979.  The purpose of this act was to reduce the number of non-dangerous offenders being sent to state prisons.

During Representative Skeen’s legislative career, he was active in community corrections.  He sponsored funding for additional halfway house programs throughout the state and was instrumental in obtaining increased funding for other community corrections initiatives.  Prior to serving in the legislature, Mr. Skeen was a member of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency.