1. Probation and Parole: Corrections in the Community
Thirteenth Edition
Chapter 8
Probation and Parole Officers

2. Learning Objectives (1 of 3)
2.1 Know qualifications of probation and parole (P/P) officers.
2.2 Learn the qualities desirable for P/P officers.
2.3 Distinguish the three P/P agency models.
2.4 Understand the basic roles of P/P officers.
2.5 Learn why the treatment role is so difficult.
Slide 2 is list of textbook LO numbers and statements

3. Learning Objectives (2 of 3)
2.6 Know the controversy over P/P officers carrying firearms and making arrests.
2.7 Learn the various forms of police-P/P agency partnerships.
2.8 Understand opposition to uniformed police officers accompanying P/P officers on routine home visits.
2.9 Learn why the exclusionary rule does not apply to community supervision.
2.10 Recognize the civil liability of P/P officers.
Slide 2 is list of textbook LO numbers and statements

4. Learning Objectives (3 of 3)
2.11 Learn agency differences with respect to sovereign immunity.
2.12 Understand different levels of immunity for P/P officers and judges.
2.13 Understand volunteer models in community supervision.
Slide 2 is list of textbook LO numbers and statements

5. Qualifications and Qualities (1 of 2)
Most states require a B.A degree in a relevant field
No felony or serious misdemeanor convictions
Driver’s license
Minimum age of 21
U.S. Citizen
Physical qualifications vary
Some require prior related experience

6. Qualifications and Qualities (2 of 2)
Qualities that are desirable:
Basic knowledge
Individual characteristics
P/P agency policy
Other agencies
Example: New Jersey on page 223 and 224 of textbook

7. The Tasks and Hiring of Probation/Parole Officers (1 of 3)
Monitoring and enforcing compliance
Investigating
Analyzing and making recommendations
Report writing and documentation
Handling emergencies
Interacting/communicating with P/P clients

8. The Tasks and Hiring of Probation/Parole Officers (2 of 3)
Interacting/communicating with non-P/P
Working with P/P staff and other agencies
Working with the justice system
Performing physically demanding work

9. The Tasks and Hiring of Probation/Parole Officers (3 of 3)
Process to select public employees:
Merit system: meet qualifications and pass a competitive written examination
Appointment system: meet requirements, no exam, hired after agency evaluation
Combined system: pass an exam and interview

10. Agency Models and P/P Officer Roles
Parole…………….……………..Probation
Control Combined Social Services
Combined model is the middle of the continuum with probation agencies on the right and parole agencies on the left
Officers integrate control and community protection role with the social services role
Maintain flexibility to stress one model or the other as needed

11. Georgia Parole Officers (POs)
P/Ps charged with:
Reintegrating inmate back into community
Returning those that fail back to prison
Counselor/mentor or law enforcement officer as needed
May help offender get a job
Verify attendance in programs
Home visits
Volunteer in community projects

12. Probation/Parole Officers as Treatment Agents
Generally, P/P officers are not educated or trained to be a treatment agent
Often P/P officers are expected to act as one
Therapy may not be possible in a P/P setting
Treatment should take the form of a P/P officer acting as a broker or advocate

13. Probation/Parole Officers as Brokers and Advocates
Private and public agencies may view P/P clients as undesirable/ undeserving/ threatening
Clients become frustrated and can lead to clients becoming unsuccessful
Creates a need for P/P officers to act as brokers and advocates

14. Probation and Parole Officers as Law Enforcement Agents
P/P officer as an enforcer is controversial
P/P agency may need to enforce their own warrants due to lack of police resources
Moving to a control model direction
Need arrest powers and carrying a firearm
Each state handles these issues differently
Concerns over liability and training

15. Should P/P Officers Make Arrests?
Controversy continues on P/P officers having the authority to make arrests and carry a firearm
Should it be left to police?
P/P officers have concerns of personal safety
What should a P/P officer do if they directly witness a violation or criminal act?
Do arrest powers and carrying a firearm impede a casework relationship and ability to rehabilitate?

16. Police-Community Corrections Partnerships
Increasing interest in promoting working relationships between community supervision officers and police officers
Formal and informal information sharing
Example: unarmed parole officers completing unannounced home visits with police officers
Controversy regarding police-community supervision
Violate confidentiality

17. Probation and Parole Officers’ Powers of Search and Seizure
Persons on P/P sign conditions allowing for warrantless search of person and property
1998 Court ruled that evidence seize by POs without a search warrant which would be barred at a criminal trial by the exclusionary rule could be used at a parole violation hearing
2001 expanded to a probationers
P/P officers have “plain view” seizure authority

18. Legal Liability of Probation/Parole Officers (1 of 2)
P/P officers can be held liable under state law, civil, and criminal
Not mutually exclusive
Under federal law, P/P officers can be liable civilly and criminally acting under color of law
P/P officers have generally been successful in avoiding legal liability for actions performed in the course of their duties

19. Legal Liability of Probation/Parole Officers (2 of 2)
Negligence--undue risk of harm to others
Failure to warn in the supervision process
Liability for crimes committed by parolees under their supervision within a narrow set of circumstances
Reiser v. District of Columbia 1977

20. Volunteers in Probation/Parole
Four volunteer models:
One-to-one model
Supervision model
Professional model
Administrative model
Some are critical of volunteers
P/P staff are responsible for training, coordination, and supervision of volunteers

21. Los Angeles County Reserve Deputy Probation Officer Program
Volunteers are deputized after completing training
Volunteers in Probation Inc. is a nonprofit organization in California with a mission to provide assistance to probationers and their families
Cook County, Illinois Probation Volunteers
Colorado (Volunteer) Deputy Probation Officers

22. New Jersey Volunteers in Parole Program
Volunteer services include:
Parole officer aide
Professional aid
Administrative aid
Student intern

23. South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services
Volunteer opportunities:
Job developers
Community sponsors
Court assistants
Agent/team assistants

24. Missouri Board of Probation and Parole
Volunteer positions in juvenile probation:
Mentor
Probation officer assistant
Sole sanction restitution
Victim services case manager