Probation Officer / Correctional Treatment Specialist
Quick Facts
What They Do
A Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist supervises criminal offenders who have been placed on probation as part of a court sentence. Meets with offenders and families, monitors activities, and checks to see that the terms of the probation are being followed. Arranges social services for the offender such as drug rehab or job training; writes reports and recommendations to the court.
Core Tasks:
- Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
- Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
- Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
- Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.
- Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.
- Develop liaisons and networks with other parole officers, community agencies, correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and aftercare agencies to plan for helping offenders with life adjustments.
- Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.
- Recommend remedial action or initiate court action in response to noncompliance with terms of probation or parole.
- Investigate alleged parole violations, using interviews, surveillance, and search and seizure.
- Inform offenders or inmates of requirements of conditional release, such as office visits, restitution payments, or educational and employment stipulations.
- Administer drug and alcohol tests, including random drug screens of offenders, to verify compliance with substance abuse treatment programs.
- Participate in decisions about whether cases should go before courts and which court should hear them.
- Write reports describing offenders' progress.
- Conduct prehearing and presentencing investigations and testify in court regarding offenders' backgrounds and recommended sentences and sentencing conditions.
- Arrange for postrelease services, such as employment, housing, counseling, education, and social activities.
- Provide offenders or inmates with assistance in matters concerning detainers, sentences in other jurisdictions, writs, and applications for social assistance.
- Develop and prepare packets containing information about social service agencies, assistance organizations, and programs that might be useful for inmates or offenders.
What to expect as a Probation Officer / Correctional Treatment Specialist
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