What Is a Probation Officer?

Probation is a rehabilitative concept, meaning that a person convicted of committing a crime may, if allowed to return to society from a correctional institution, be able to rebuild his life and become a productive citizen. In order to keep track of the "probationer's" actions and progress, court officers called "probation officers" provide supervision and support his efforts.

Identification

Probation means to suspend a jail sentence. If a probationer successfully completes a certain period of time outside of a correctional setting, she is released from further confinement. Probation officers supervise probationers' efforts to establish themselves in open society. Depending on the individual state's philosophy, probation officers may be either social workers or corrections officers. They must document and report on their probationers' location, associates and environment. In many states, they help probationers with social and vocational counseling.

History

The concept of probation began in English Common Law with the practice of releasing offenders so that the convicted person could appeal to the king. Offenders were released without supervision ("released on their own recognizance") and occasionally neglected to appeal their conviction or return to the court. Many resurfaced in foreign countries or colonies. In 1941, a Boston boot maker, John Augustus, became the founder of modern probation practice when he agreed to take in defendants who had been arraigned but not tried and helped them to become productive citizens. Massachusetts established the first state probation system and by 1920, the majority of states had also set up court services to allow trial suspensions of sentences. The National Probation Act of 1925 formalized the experiment begun by Augustus. During the 1930s, several states began what would be known as the Interstate Compact for the Supervision of Parolees and Probationers, a reciprocal agreement that today allows states to cooperate in the supervision of probationers.

Function

Whether their state's justice system emphasizes rehabilitation or supervision, probation officers are responsible for pre-and post conviction investigations and reports on probationers. They interview family members and friends, check on living arrangements, job progress and activities and keep records of everything. In many states, probation and parole offices are called "community corrections." They may provide testimony and recommendations on sentencing in court. They are responsible for filing reports regarding the probationer's progress or to request termination of probation.

Benefits

This unique approach to the criminal justice system helped to establish the "rehabilitative" theory of justice where the courts attempt to guide offenders in repairing the damage they have done to society as opposed to simply suffering punishment for it. The success of probation officers in assisting offenders to reenter society lowers "recidivism" or the percentage of likely repeat offenders. Most probation officers have large caseloads and are limited in the amount of time they can spend on each probationer but many of them have made a positive difference in a substantial number of lives.

Misconceptions

Probation officers are not judges, police officers, guards or therapists; they are supervisors and facilitators. Although they have broad powers and are trained investigators, they are not able to make choices for probationers or act like parents. The responsibility---and ultimate rewards---for success belong to the probationer.

Resources

• American Probation and Parole Association
• National Center for State Courts--Job Descriptions
• Probation and Parole--origins and models