How to Become a Parole Officer

A parole officer is an agent of the court appointed to an individual who has been placed under probation for a crime. Typically the parole officer oversees and makes sure the parolee is doing the activities he or she is required to do by the court.Depending on what state or country you live in, the detailed requirements for becoming a parole or probation offer will differ. Some places may require more training, education and related experience than others. But in general the guidelines for succeeding in find a job in this field are similar no matter where you live.Being a parole officer is an important part of keep society safe and helping criminals learn a better more productive way of life.

Things You'll Need

• degree or classes
• clean criminal background

Instructions

How to Become a Parole Officer

1. Research the specific requirements for your state or area. Making a call to your local court house is a good first step. Ask to speak with someone in the field and explain you would like to learn more about the profession. You'll find most people are very supportive in helping someone get their career started. Of course, researching on the internet will also help you learn value information as you begin getting ready for your career. Check out websites for your state and local courts and police stations.

2. Research schools in your area for degree programs. Most likely, you will need a 2 or 4 year degree to become a parole officer. After your initial research, you should know what kind of degree is best, but most correction officers have education in criminal justice or a similar field. When looking at schools, assess the reputation of the program, cost and class schedule. This last step is important if you are going to continue working while finishing your degree.

3. Keep your criminal background clean. Depending on where you want to work and the competition for jobs in your area, even the smallest legal infraction could ruin your chances at getting a position. This means keeping your driving record clean as well. They may look at ticket, misdemeanors and of course, felonies.