Ken Hales has been hired as Community Justice Director for Deschutes County, according to County Administrator Dave Kanner. The newly created position functions as the director for the Juvenile Community Justice Department and senior advisor to the Adult Parole and Probation Department. The position will also work closely with The Commission on Children and Families, and with all of the public safety agencies in Deschutes County. Monday, August 13, will be Ken’s first day working for the County.

After conducting a national search to fill the position, Ken was hired for his extensive experience in adult and juvenile corrections. He was most recently employed as the Director of the Youth Services Division for the state of Arkansas.  Prior to that, he held a similar position with the state of Michigan.

“My job will be to help employees be successful in all they do for Deschutes County citizens. It will be my responsibility to ensure the department continues to pursue excellence so our work never becomes static,” Hales said.

Some of the valuable skills Ken brings to Deschutes County are budget development and analysis, policy development, community collaboration, labor relations and negotiation, legislative testimony, and strategic planning and implementation. 

Ken will be responsible for strategic coordination of various public safety efforts in Deschutes County, will be lead staff for the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC), and will take the lead on implementing the recent recommendations of the Alternatives to Incarceration report.

“What emerged from the background investigation we conducted of Ken is a picture of a visionary thinker who listens carefully to all points of view and is determined to do what's right, even when there's political pressure to do what's expedient,” said Kanner.

Hales has a Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas, and a BA in Sociology from Washburn University.