Probation Officer Training

At the end of 2008, there were 7.3 million Americans being supervised by the correctional system. A full 70 percent of those, or 5.1 million people, were either on probation or parole, under the supervision of probation officers. The cost of incarcerating a federal prisoner in 2000 was roughly $60 per day, as compared to $8 per day for community supervision.

Aside from the cost savings, the benefits of probation include the community service that many of these offenders provide. Probation also helps reduce the possibility that offenders will commit future crimes, helps offenders in coping without drugs or alcohol and enables them to live with their families and be productive members of society.

The job of probation officer is not only tremendously important, but it offers excellent career growth potential, as well as the opportunity for great personal satisfaction.

Overview of Probation Officer Training

Probation officers--also known as community supervision officers--monitor offenders who are placed on probation instead of being sent to prison. This entails maintaining constant personal contact with the offender and their families; assisting them in locating resources for employment, education, or therapy; providing counseling to offenders and their families; and monitoring their whereabouts using electronic tracking devices.

Probation officers also spend a considerable amount of time investigating criminal reports and offenders' backgrounds, as well as filing reports and recommending sentences. They also may be called upon to testify in court about offenders' rehabilitation efforts and compliance with their sentences.

Probation officers generally oversee 20 to 100 cases at once--the number varies by jurisdiction. Higher risk cases require much more time.

Related positions include:

• Parole officers: similar probation officers, parole officers help those who have been recently released from prison transition back into society
• Correctional treatment specialists: also known as case managers or correctional counselors, counsel offenders and provide supervision or rehabilitation plans
• Pretrial services officers: conduct pretrial investigations that aid in sentencing, supervision and rehabilitation plans for offenders

Additionally, duties may vary depending on whether the position is at the local, state or federal level.

Probation Officer Training: Degrees and Coursework

Generally, in order to become a probation officer, you must complete the following:

1. A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, psychology or a related field
2. In some situations, prior professional experience in such fields as corrections, criminal investigations, counseling, social work or other probation or pretrial services positions
3. A state or federal government-sponsored training program for correctional specialists, followed by experience as a trainee or apprentice for up to one year
4. Rigorous written, oral and physical examinations to ensure candidates are in excellent physical and emotional shape

Of course, a significant amount of training also takes place on the job.

Additional requirements for probation officers include:

• Must be at least 21 years old but, for federal positions, not older than 37
• No record of felony convictions
• Completion of a successful background check and lie detector test
• Hold a valid driver's license

Because of the amount of administrative work involved in this position, excellent communications skills are a must, as are an understanding of the law, familiarity with computers and strong interpersonal skills. Promotions and salary increases are generally earned through solid, consistent performance on the job, breadth of experience and, in some cases, advanced degrees in criminal justice, social work, psychology or a related subject.

Probation Officer Career Outlook

Because the work of a probation officer can often come with considerable stress, risk and relatively low pay, the number of available positions generally exceeds the amount of interested, qualified applicants. Combined with the aging and continued retirement of baby boomers and the reevaluation of mandatory state sentencing laws, the demand for probation officers during the 2008-2018 period should grow by 19 percent.

In 2009, probation officers earned a median annual salary of $46,530.

Resources for Probation Officers

• Bureau of Labor Statistics - Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

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