United States legislators established the probation officer role in the early 1900’s. These professionals supervise individuals involved in the justice system by working to identify their risk factors as well as resources to with their reintegration into society. Probation officers work with released inmates in a few ways to help begin new lives.
Probation Work Throughout Time
A document published by the U.S. Probation Office of the District of Columbia reveals that legislators established the probation officer role with the Probation Act of 1925. [1] The article, entitled “Role of the United States Probation Officer,” states that the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 expanded officers’ responsibilities to include …show more content…
Despite this, potential employees will continue to find work in the field as veteran officers retire. In different areas, job growth in the field varies depending on fund earmarked for parole services.
Probation officers monitor criminal offenders and make sure that the individuals do not pose a threat to the public and follow their rehabilitation plans. The officers the former inmates while helping them acclimate to society and attempt to eliminate or reduce recidivism.
Pretrial service officers investigate pretrial intervention candidates to help the court system to decide whether the candidate poses a threat to the public. These officers also supervise the candidates after the courts accept them into the program to make sure that the participants follow their release agreements.
Correctional treatment specialists, also called case managers or correctional counselors, build case files to help parole boards decide whether they should release an inmate. Correctional counselors also clarify release terms to inmates and monitor their development after discharge. When the board does release prisoners, the case managers assist them during and after parole.