Probation Officer Training Programs and Schools

Probation Officers - Career Information

Probation Officers

Probation officers oversee offenders sentenced to probation (individuals who fulfill the conditions of sentences given by the court) and parolees (individuals released from prison that are required to serve parole board ordered sentences). Sometimes offenders are given probation instead of jail time or additional jail time.

Probation officers strive to regenerate their clients. Parole officers meet with their clients on a regular basis to evaluate their progress and check their activities. Probation officers help their clients rehabilitate by offering them counseling and helping them acquire education, housing and a job. They usually work in juvenile, adult or family divisions of probation departments.

Some of the job titles are correctional counselor, parole officer, juvenile probation officer, parole agent, deputy juvenile officer, correctional probation officer, probation counselor, correctional casework specialist and juvenile correctional officer.

A probation officer also has the task of writing pre-sentence reports for judges. The reports are based on investigative work of the offender's background. A probation officer sometimes giver testimonies at parole board and pretrial hearings in order to provide clarification for the reports. They also investigate violations of court-ordered sentences. They provide reports to the courts regarding their client's behavior.

Correctional treatment specialists work in jails and prisons or in parole or probation agencies. Those that work in jails and prisons evaluate the inmates' progress. They also collaborate with others to develop parole and release plans. Correctional treatment personnel also develop educational and training programs to provide job skills. They also provide counseling and other services.

Correctional treatment specialists that work in parole and probation agencies perform many of the tasks done by specialists that work in correctional institutions. Correctional treatment specialists may also be known as case managers or drug treatment specialists.

Responsibilities

• Supervise offenders that have been released from incarceration
• Supervise and investigate defendants who have not yet been sentenced to a term of incarceration
• Develop and maintain a case folder for each offender
• Collect information about offender's background
• Write reports regarding offender's progress
• Develop rehabilitation programs for clients
• Inform offenders of requirements of conditional release
• Recommend remedial actions or begin court actions if offenders have not complied with the terms of probation or parole
• Arrange for mental health, medical and substance abuse treatment services
• Arrange for employment, education, housing, counseling and other services

Job Characteristics

Probation officers may work with offenders that are dangerous. Probation officers may have to work in high crime areas or in institutions where there is a risk of communicable diseases and/or violence. Many workers get personal satisfaction from counseling their clients and helping them to become productive members of society.

A parole officer should have strong written and verbal communication skills in order to write precise pre-sentence reports and to argue them in a courtroom. They need to be able to deal with people from a variety of backgrounds. The job is sometimes stressful due to large caseloads. Parole officers often visit jails, courts and prisons. They also visit the work settings and residences of their clients. These officers work 40 hours per week but sometimes are required to work overtime.

Employment Outlook

Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is forecasted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow 11 percent from 2006 to 2016 which is as fast as average for all occupations. The job outlook mostly depends on the amount of government funding that is provided to corrections and especially probation systems. In 2006 the median annual earnings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists was $42,500.

Advancement in the occupation is mostly determined by performance and length of experience. A graduate degree in criminal justice, psychology or social work can be helpful in advancing to higher positions.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Probation officers are typically required to have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology or a related subject. For candidates that do not have related experience, some employers seek those with a master's degree. What counts as related experience varies by employers. Some types of related experience are pretrial services, probation, corrections, criminal investigations, parole, counseling, social work and substance abuse treatment. Typically, candidates need to pass oral, written and psychological examinations. Those that have been convicted of felonies may not be eligible for employment in the occupation.

Most probation officers and some correctional treatment specialists must complete a training program sponsored by the Federal government or their State government. After the training program has been completed they may have to take a certification test. Typically, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists have to work as trainees or in a probationary period for up to a year before they are offered a permanent job.

Resources

• American Probation and Parole Association

Major Employers

Most jobs are provided by State and local governments. The probation office of the U.S. District Court also provides jobs.

Schools for Probation Officers are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Probation Officers by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Probation Officers, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.