A probation officer is a member of the criminal justice system who supervises offenders who have not yet been sentenced for crimes or who have been sentenced to probation or suspended sentences. A probation officer differs from a parole officer, who supervises inmates who have been released early due to good behavior. For greater efficiency, the functions of probation and parole officers are combined in some areas.
A probation officer’s primary responsibility is to ensure that the terms of a probation are followed. A court might agree to put someone on probation if they agree not to use drugs or alcohol and to avoid socializing with certain people. The officer meets with this person on a regular basis, as well as his or her family, friends, and employers, and may conduct random visits or tests to ensure that the person is abiding by the probation restrictions.
Depending on the region and the number of people on probation at any given time, the number of people supervised by an officer varies. Most criminal justice systems try to keep people with the same officer as long as possible, in order to promote consistency of care. This also ensures that changes in behavior are quickly noticed, as a sudden change in personality will be fairly obvious after meeting with a probation officer once a month for three years.
Depending on their training and the region, these members of the criminal justice community may or may not be law enforcement officers. A probation officer who is also a law enforcement officer is allowed to carry a weapon and serve arrest warrants. If not, the court may still grant him or her a concealed weapon permit for self-defense in this potentially dangerous occupation.
Probation officers, in addition to supervising people, also write regular reports on their charges. Good behavior, lapses in probation terms, and missed or rescheduled meetings are all noted in these reports. Random searches or probation revocation are possible while on probation based on information filed in these reports. These reports are taken into account during the sentencing process as well.
A probation officer usually works with adults or juveniles, but not both. He or she usually has a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, as well as specialized training in working with probationers. In addition to monitoring offenders, these officers may assist in the development of treatment and rehabilitation plans, as well as provide counseling and other services.