Mobile Day Reporting Center Team Contributing to a Better Tomorrow

By Jakiya Dudley, Digital Media Specialist

MOBILE – On Thursday, August 3, I visited the Mobile Day Reporting Center. Located at 3410 Demetropolis Road, this DRC accommodates the needs of Mobile County’s probationers and parolees.

Upon my visit, I received the warmest welcome from Mobile DRC Administrator Seaton Fitzgerald, who has been a part of the Bureau’s team for seven years. Fitzgerald supervises a team of 10 staff members who he jokingly referred to as the “best in the state.” As he creates an organized environment for participants to succeed, he relies on his specialized team to provide an extra helping hand in contribution to the betterment of those in need. “Seeing participants walk through our doors battling difficulties, then walk out feeling unstoppable by the end of the program, makes me extremely proud,” Fitzgerald said. “I like knowing that my staff and I played a role in that person’s improvement.”

Among the Mobile DRC’s specialized team is Substance Abuse Councilor Bridgette Davis. Davis facilitates programs assisting participants who struggle with substance abuse addictions. She also prides herself on supporting individuals in other aspects of their lives as well. She provides resources for food assistance, housing, employment opportunities, transportation and family guidance. She also highlighted the success of a recent art therapy project, which gave participants an opportunity to step away from a formal setting and decompress while artistically expressing themselves. “I wholeheartedly enjoy seeing them make a change for the better,” she said. “I’m glad I’m able to help in any way possible towards their success and safe reentry into our community.” Davis also gave kudos to her team of officers and support staff at the Mobile DRC for their collaborative efforts of reaching the common goal – effective rehabilitation. “There’s so much negativity going on in the world locally and nationally, so it just feels good to pour out a little bit of positivity in the community,” she concluded.

Probation and Parole Officer Erica Mitchell has been with the Bureau for one year and says she could not imagine herself anywhere else. “Here, it is like a happy medium because I’m not putting them away, but instead I’m providing them with quality guidance and supervision to successfully reenter society and be better,” she said. Mitchell also emphasized the importance of building a rapport with clients, which helps them become more inclined to receive the assistance being offered to them. “They simply just need someone to believe in them and I enjoy being that someone,” she said.

Believing in the clients didn’t just stop with Officer Mitchell at the Mobile DRC. Probation and Parole Officer Charles Flowers also expressed his passion for encouraging and supporting those who may have fallen short on their journey. “Here at the DRC, we frequently interact with our participants, which gives us a better perspective into their situation,” he said. “We get to see firsthand the benefits of the hard work we pour into our clients on a daily basis, and it truly reenergizes me to continue to help.”

In addition, Probation and Parole Officer Victor Myles, who served as a former deputy for Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, gave insight on the impact DRCs have on offenders. “I take delight in seeing a change in the individuals who come through our program,” he said. “You can clearly see the moment they start to understand and realize there is another life outside of prison and that moment feels rewarding for me as well.” The Bureau has 62 field offices, serving all Alabama counties. Field offices function as a local base of operations for Probation and Parole Officers, specialists, and other support staff. Officers are required to make various contacts with probationers and parolees based on their risk level. These contacts range from a monthly office visit for lower risk individuals to weekly office, home, employment, and curfew checks for higher risk individuals. In addition, officers are tasked with various types of investigations requested by the Bureau or courts, as well as assisting other law enforcement agencies when needed.