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Probation Officers


Probation Officers, Parole Officers, and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Are you interested in helping those in jail, or helping re-integrate people who have served their sentences into society? The career education information presented here will help you learn more about career paths in probation, parole and correction, the job outlook, the education required, and the career opportunities.

Learn more in the career education information listed below:

Overview

Job Description

Many people who are convicted of crimes are placed on probation instead of being sent to prison. During probation, offenders must stay out of trouble and meet various other requirements. Probation officers, who also may be referred to as community supervision officers, supervise people who have been placed on probation. Parole officers perform many of the same duties that probation officers perform. However, parole officers supervise offenders who have been released from prison on parole to ensure that they comply with the conditions of their parole. In some States, the job of parole and probation officer is combined.

Probation and parole officers supervise offenders on probation or parole through personal contact with the offender and his or her family. Some offenders are required to wear an electronic device so that probation officers can monitor their activities. Officers may arrange for offenders to get substance abuse rehabilitation or job training. They also attend court hearings to update the court on the offender's compliance with the terms of his or her sentence and on the offender's efforts at rehabilitation.

Probation officers also spend much of their time working for the courts. They investigate the background of offenders brought before the court, write presentence reports, and make sentencing recommendations for each offender. Officers review sentencing recommendations with offenders and their families before submitting them to the court. Officers may be required to testify in court as to their findings and recommendations.

Probation officers usually work with either adults or juveniles exclusively. Only in small, usually rural jurisdictions do probation officers counsel both adults and juveniles. Occasionally, in the Federal courts system, probation officers may undertake the job of a pretrial services officer. Pretrial services officers conduct pretrial investigations and make bond recommendations for defendants.

Correctional treatment specialists work in correctional institutions (jails and prisons) or in parole or probation agencies. In jails and prisons, they evaluate the progress of inmates. They also work with inmates, probation officers, and other agencies to develop parole and release plans. Their case reports are provided to the appropriate parole board when their clients are eligible to be released. In addition, they plan educational and training programs to provide offenders with job skills, and counsel offenders either individually or in groups regarding their coping skills, anger management skills, and drug or sexual abuse. They usually write treatment plans and summaries for each client. Correctional treatment specialists working in parole and probation agencies perform many of the same duties as their counterparts who work in correctional institutions. Correctional treatment specialists may also be known as case managers or drug treatment specialists.

The number of cases a probation officer or correctional treatment specialist handles at one time depends on the counseling needs of offenders and the risks they pose. Higher-risk offenders and those who need a greater amount of counseling usually command more of the officer's time and resources. Caseload size also varies by jurisdiction of the agency. Consequently, officers may handle from 20 to more than 300 active cases at a time.

The nature of the work of many probation officers and correctional treatment specialists has been affected by recent changes in the parole and probation system brought about by public debate on the proper role of prisons, probation, and parole. This has resulted in more community involvement on the part of probation and parole officers in many jurisdictions. Instead of requiring offenders to meet officers in their offices, many officers are going into the community to meet the offenders in their homes and at their places of employment or therapy. Probation and parole agencies also are employing the assistance of community organizations, such as religious institutions, neighborhood groups, and local residents, to monitor the behavior of many offenders. The ability to do this additional fieldwork is facilitated by telecommuting methods, such as the use of computers, phones, and faxes. Probation officers also may telecommute from their own homes. Other technological advancements, such as electronic monitoring devices and drug screening, also have assisted probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in supervising and counseling offenders.

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Employment

About 84,000 people were employed as probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in the U.S. in 2000. Most of these workers work for State or local governments. The government level that employs these workers varies by State. In some States, the State government employs all probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, while in other States, local governments are the only employers. In still other States, both levels of government employ these workers. Currently, California and Texas have the highest probation and parole populations. Together these two States account for about one-fourth of the country's correctional supervision population. Jobs also are more plentiful in urban areas.

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Education, Training & Qualifications

Background qualifications for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists vary by State, but a bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, or a related field from a 4-year college or university is usually required. Some States also require 1 year of work experience in a related field or 1 year of graduate study in criminal justice, social work, or psychology to become a probation officer. Some employers may require previous experience or a master's degree in criminal justice, social work, or psychology, of applicants wishing to become correctional treatment specialists.

Applicants usually are administered written, oral, psychological, and physical examinations. Most probation officers and some correctional treatment specialists are required to complete a training program sponsored by their State government or the Federal Government. A certification test also may be required in some States during or after the completion of training.

Prospective probation officers or correctional treatment specialists should be in good physical and emotional condition. Most agencies require applicants to be at least 21 years old and, for Federal employment, not older than 37. Those convicted of felonies may not be eligible for employment in this occupation. Familiarity with the use of computers often is required due to the increasing use of computer technology in probation and parole work. Candidates also should be knowledgeable about laws and regulations pertaining to corrections. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists should possess strong writing skills due to the large numbers of reports they are required to prepare.

Most probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work as trainees for about 6 months. After successfully completing the training period, workers obtain a permanent position. A typical agency has several levels of probation and parole officers and correctional treatment specialists, as well as supervisors. A graduate degree, such as a master's degree in criminal justice, social work, or psychology, may be helpful for advancement.

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Job Outlook

Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. Despite recent decreases in the crime rate, vigorous law enforcement is expected to result in a continuing increase in the prison population. Overcrowding in prisons also has increased the probation population, as judges and prosecutors search for alternate forms of punishments, such as electronic monitoring and day reporting centers. The number of offenders released on parole is expected to increase to create room for other offenders in prison. The increasing prison, parole, and probation populations should spur more demand for probation and parole officers and correctional treatment specialists.

In addition to openings due to growth, many openings will be created by replacement needs, especially openings due to the large number of these workers who are expected to retire over the projection period.

The job outlook depends on the amount of government funding that is allocated to corrections, and especially to probation systems. Although community supervision is far less expensive than keeping offenders in prison, a change in political trends toward more imprisonment and away from community supervision could result in reduced employment opportunities.

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Salary Expectations

Median annual earnings of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in 2000 were $38,150. The middle 50 percent earned between $30,270 and $49,030. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59,010. In 2000, median annual earnings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists employed in State government were $36,980; those employed in local government earned $40,820. Higher wages tend to be found in urban areas.

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Related Occupations

Probation officers and correctional treatment also play a major role in maintaining public safety. Other occupations related to corrections and law enforcement include police and detectives, correctional officers, and firefighting occupations.

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Associations, Resources & Accreditation

For information about criminal justice job opportunities in your area, contact your State's Department of Corrections, Criminal Justice, or Probation.

Further information about probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is available from The American Probation and Parole Association.

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Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition, Lawyers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/

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