Probation director outlines hiring push, 'raise the age' expansions and new youth evening center in 2026 budget

William Connors, director of the Albany County Probation Department, presented the department’s 2026 budget proposal on Oct. 23 and described a multi‑pronged effort to hire staff, expand youth programming and respond to changing caseloads caused by bail reform and raise‑the‑age laws.

Connors said probation conducts presentence and predisposition investigations for the county’s courts, supervises adult and juvenile offenders, acts as a lead agency for bail‑reform monitoring and serves as the county’s designated collection agent for court‑ordered restitution. He said the department has seen more complex, higher‑risk offenders and more court orders requiring GPS monitoring.

To address youth needs created by raise‑the‑age implementation, Connors said the department proposes several new positions that would be 100% reimbursed by New York State. He described a planned evening…