Educational requirements for probation and parole officers
According to (Birks, 1995), this family is made of four levels depending on the type of work and how complex it is as well as supervision received. Level one is the most basic where the incumbent does entry-level duties of supervising probationers and parolees in re-entry programs. Regarding the knowledge and skills required, one must be knowledgeable in laws, regulations and general procedures in relation to offenders and correction department. Knowledge in evidence based practice when supervising offenders is required as well as in community resources. One must also be conversant with counseling techniques as well as motivational interviewing. The officer must be conversant with testing of substances and means of collecting them. He/she must be able to relate well with the members of community and inspire client in stopping their anti-social behaviors. Regarding the educational experience, one must be a holder of a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a twenty-four hour semester in respective combination of required subject.
(Birks, 1995) argued that, level II officers have the responsibility of full performance in supervising probationers and parolees. They also train others through routine assignments. Knowledge required is similar to that of level I but an additional two years of experience in correctional program at social casework is needed. Level III comprises of a specialist incumbent serving as an expert in areas such as motivational interviewing. similar knowledge to level II is required with additional knowledge in specific areas such as provision of consultation and training for other staff in similar areas. Two additional years are also required for this level. Level IV is of leadership where the incumbent supervises other officers and coordinate their work as well as manage district and subdivision. All the requirements of level III are also required in this level but the officer must have an additional year of experience
Jobs and job requirements for probation and parole officers
Parole and probation officers perform many similar duties in assisting the courts to ensure that, offenders comply with the sentences made on them outside the courts. The only difference between parole officers and probation officers is the type of offenders they handle. Parole officers are assigned the offenders after they are released from prison and work together with pretrial services officers who investigate to determine if the suspect deserves release before trial. On the other hand, probation officers supervise offenders sentenced on probation instead of being sent to prison. Majority of criminal convicts are put on probation as an alternative of being sent to prison. Some states combine the work of both parole and probation officers when they are on the program. Both types of officers ensure the offenders are out of trouble as they meet other requirements. Probation officers in some states are referred to as supervision officers as they supervise those on probation. The probation officers supervise those under the program through personal contact with them and their families. Usually the offenders do not meet their supervisors in their offices but most probation officers meet them in their places of employment, homes or therapy. Both parole and probation officers also receive assistance from community organizations that include religious institutions, local residents as well as neighborhood groups in monitoring behavior of the offenders. The officers also install electronic devices on the offenders to monitor their location as well as movements (Franzen, 2001).The officers are also required to make arrangements for the offenders to receive job training as well as rehabilitation if they were victims of substance abuse. The officers normally specialize with either adults or juveniles although in small rural areas, probation officers counsel adults as well as juveniles. Probation officers also work with the courts in providing the background information of the offenders and help in recommending sentences. They review the recommendations for the sentences with the help of the family members of the offenders before a final submission is made to the courts. They testify to the courts using their findings. They also keep updating the courts with the progress made by the offenders in the rehabilitation process by attending hearings and informing the courts on whether the offenders are complying with the sentences.
According to (Franzen, 2001), the number of offenders probation and parole officers handles largely depends on their needs and the risk they pose. If the offenders pose a higher risk, they require more counseling and consequently more time as well as resources. Therefore, the number offenders handled by the officers ranges from 20-100 at any given time. The caseload is made even more manageable by computers, fax machines and telephones making the communication possible even from home.
Corrections
Students who aspire to learn about public safety or law enforcement require courses in correctional program, probation as well as parole field. Correctional officers in the field of probation engage in supervision of criminals and juvenile delinquent who have been put on probation. Parole officers also have similar duties but they also handle those who have been put on parole. Specialists in Correctional treatment handle inmates as well as facilities used in their correctional programs. They monitor progress in the institution regarding inmates and their facilities and design parole plans for them. The general nature of work as a correctional officer is good and research done by bureau of labor indicated that, law enforcement should allow the population in prison to increase. Background requirements for students pursuing programs in the field of correction are necessary and this include age, citizenship and level of education as well as job stability. The age required by majority of employers for their correctional officer ranges between18-21 and must be citizens of United States. (Franzen, 2001)
Job opportunities
A student who has successfully completed his/her studies can become a correctional program specialist dealing with inmates’ behavior and policies on social services. One can also become a health specialist responsible for handling health programs. A health specialist provides as well as regulates policies regarding correctional health of offenders under rehabilitation. They ensure the medical rights of inmates as well as those that are put on probation are observed through regular attendance of their health needs. They also provide services to the offenders who have special needs such as physically or mentally disabled. A student who has specialized in counseling can be employed to be a correctional counselor handling developmental programs regarding disability and general compliance of the programs. (Franzen, 2001).
Job functions in diversionary correctional programs
A manager in diversionary correctional program has a duty to see that the development as well as maintenance of the programs of the offenders and especially inmates is observed properly. This is in order to promote the well being of the inmates in terms of both physical as well as social development while they are still on correctional programs. The manager prepares schedules and provides good coordination of personnel dealing with volunteer programs. He/she also works closely with concerned community in program development aimed at assisting incarcerated inmates benefit from the correctional facilities. (Franzen, 2001).
Outside agencies are involved in development of internal programs organized by correction officers while volunteers are involved in making their generous contribution. With that in place, adequate space can be provided and sufficient materials be used by correction officers to ensure all the programs run effectively. Deputy director involved in corrections ensure there is enough time for all the programs in the jail to be established and implemented. Inmates in the jail are allowed to take part in religious services of their own choice and engage in religious activities all the time so that they can grow spiritually and develop good virtues that are encouraged by the entire society where they come from.
Correctional programs ensure there are referral agencies to be used by families and all the inmates. Correctional officers appear in public to take care of public relations in the entire community so that, people are encouraged to live well with each other without becoming security threat through engaging in criminal activities. Outreach services are coordinated in a responsible manner and security officers work according to the guidelines provided to them. Statistical data is maintained properly using files and records that act as future reference to provide evidence of the activities that have been carried out. Reviews are provided on quarterly basis on the quality of the programs and how effective standards in the jail have been so that the required recommendations can be effected immediately. (Franzen, 2001).
Qualifications of correction officer
Correction officers are required to perform their job successfully and perform all essential duties in a satisfactory manner. They must meet all the requirements such as knowledge acquired through education, skills in the assigned job and ability required in performing all the duties in a successful manner. Improved knowledge and good understanding of all the principles involved in modern corrections is very significant. This is in order to perform duties in a professional manner and ensure all the duties are done successfully. Understanding of all the principles used in human psychology is essential in dealing with group detention. This allows those who are detained to be understood properly and be helped to change their behavior for the better without repeating the same mistake again. (Birks, 1995).
Correction officers should be informed about rules on how the jail operates so that they can know the areas they are best talented and can perform at best. This also helps them to follow all the regulations in ensuring that they do not fail to perform duties in the areas assigned at the right time and in the right manner as described to them initially when the job was assigned. Correction officers should have knowledge about the rights of inmates so that they do not violate the rights of inmates through mistreatment, discrimination, favor or even abusing them.
A correction officer need to have ability of analyzing problems concerned with administration in order to establish the necessary action to be carried out in dealing with the problem in the right manner. These administrative problems occur most of the times and at varying degrees. Therefore, ability to analyze them helps to know how to deal with each and every problem even if the problem is encountered for the first time. There are situations where judgment need to be exercised and therefore requires correction officers to have the ability in making proper judgment in different situation. They should also oversee implementation of policies in every department and ensure all the relevant procedures are properly followed. (Birks, 1995).
Proper communication that is effective is required in dealing with management so that the assigned job is done effectively. Subordinates should also be talked to all the time to ensure they are working properly and assisted in areas where they need correction officer to intervene and help. Inmates should be communicated to in a proper manner regardless of what made them to be imprisoned. In that way, they can be helped to be morally upright and the public should be taught the importance of accepting inmates back to the society immediately they are released from prison.
A correction officer should be able to perform duties independently and be creative in the way he solves problems in order to come up with sound judgment of all cases brought before him through demonstrating his initiative. Oral and written communication skills are necessary and correction officer should be excellent in both. This is important so that he can read and interpret all the complex documents with ease and respond to all inquiries and complaints in an effective way.
There are situations where management and officers require to be given persuasive presentations about complex topics which are controversial. This requires correction officer to make effective presentation without failing to concentrate on all required issues. Correction office should define all the problems, gather all the facts and derive conclusions. All the technical instructions should be interpreted when dealing with concrete variables.
There are correction officers who are supposed to use computers when performing their duties and therefore computer literacy is very necessary in word processing and preparation of spreadsheets. Good typing skills are required so that correction officer can type his work without having to involve secretary in situations where the typed information is required to be confidential. Competency of the job is necessary if the job is to be performed successfully so that correction officer has the ability to synthesize diverse information, collect data and be experienced in complementing data. The problems should be identified at the right time and analyzed in skillful manner so that alternative solutions can be developed. Correction officer should communicate about changes that have occurred, manage all the team activities, and come up with implementation plans which are workable and evaluate the results effectively. Correction officer with all these qualification will benefit a lot through performing the assigned duties well without facing difficult time with management. (Birks, 1995).
References
Birks P. (1995): Criminal Justice & Human Rights: Reshaping the Criminal Justice: Literary criticism.
Franzen J. (2001): the corrections, award for fiction, twenty-seventh city: Macmillan Books.