An Immersive Experience: Out to Enhance Community Supervision of LGBTQ+

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Suzanne Brooks coordinates a statewide LGBT workgroup at Ohio Parole. After graduating with a degree in psychology, She accepted a position with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in 2003 as a parole officer. During her career, she has served in a variety of roles with the Ohio Adult Parole Authority and currently serves as one of the agency’s Deputy Superintendents. Amongst several other job duties in her role as Deputy Superintendent, she also serves as the Interstate Compact Deputy Compact Administrator for the State of Ohio. Currently she serves on the Executive Committee and the Technology Committee for the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision. Additionally, she was appointed Chair of the Deputy Compact Administrator Liaison Committee for a second term in 2023.

Samuel Cropp graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2012 with a degree in Criminal Justice (Forensic Science Focus). While working on his degree, Samuel began working with juveniles with the Clermont County Educational Service Center in 2009 with students with severe behavioral impairments. He continued this position until he became a Case Manager at the Cincinnati Volunteers of America Halfway House in 2016. While employed at the halfway house, Samuel became a Lead Trainer for Core Correctional Practices and Thinking for a Change. In April of 2020 Samuel accepted a position as a Parole Officer for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Samuel serves in multiple committees, including the LGBT+ Workgroup, and as a Field Training Officer for new Parole Officer recruits.

I started my career in 1995 as a Corrections Officer at The Shelby County Jail. During that time, I was the PREA Coordinator, conducted training for staff and helped train new officers. I started working for The Adult Parole Authority in 2018 as a Parole Officer, where I am currently a Parole Program Specialist in the Labor and Investigations Unit. During my career, I have received my Associates Degree in Criminal Justice, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Eastern Gateway Community College. I am an LGBTQ Liaison Officer, a Victim Coordinator, on the Wellness Committee and am active in various other groups for the APA.

Shantel Picket has been a Parole Officer for Ohio Department Rehabilitation and Corrections working out of the Dayton Region since 2018. She currently serves as a Task Force Officer for the Drug Enforcement Administration. She is also an advocate for LGBT equality and rights for everyone. She is a certified LGBT Law Enforcement Liaison and serves on the work group for LGBT within Ohio Adult Parole Authority. She conducts LGBT+ awareness trainings for Parole staff. She began working for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections in 2012 as a corrections officer, where she served on Honor Guard and Crisis Intervention Team.

Kaitlynn Risner has been a Parole Officer position with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction since 2020. She is also part time with the US Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force and serves on the Women in Corrections Committee and LGBT+ Liaison committee. She is certified as an LGBT+ Law Enforcement Liaison by Out to Protect and conducts LGBT trainings for Ohio Parole. She conducts LGBT+ awareness trainings for parole staff. She graduated from Tiffin University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Kaitlynn began working at Sandusky County Juvenile Detention Center in 2013 and was acting Officer in Charge at the facility. Kaitlynn accepted a position as a Juvenile Probation Officer in April of 2017 and in December of 2019 accepted a position as Pretrial Officer with Sandusky County Adult Probation.