Parole Officer as a Dream Career - Term Paper Example

This is crucial because, for example, in the field of criminal justice system, and in particular parole officers face the potential for physical confrontations and unknown risks daily. In addition to this, there are various requirements that one needs to have to qualify as a probation officer. Education and training Prerequisites for becoming a parole officer vary from one state to another. However, according to Fulton et al., (1997), most state probation agencies require candidates to be above the age of 21 years and a limit of 37 years.

The applicant is also required to pass criminal check for felony records. In most states, probation officer must possess bachelors or masters degree (Latessa & Smith, 2011). Some agencies may require certain duration of work experience. Possible categories of education qualification include criminal justice, counseling or social work (Latessa & Smith, 2011). Once applicants are recruited, they are subjected to initial training. This is training that equips officers with basic requirements, and rules and regulations.

The officers are then introduced to in-service training. This training allows officers to keep current with new laws in the field or repeat important topics from the initial training. Some of the training topics may include evidence based practice principles, cognitive-behavioral treatment principles, motivational interviewing, and supervision techniques with special needs offenders (Fulton et al., 1997). In at least one jurisdiction, parole officers are exposed to empathy training, which aims to sensitize parole officers to what juvenile probationers endure during arrest and detention.

Duties of parole officers and their earnings Parole officers must initially assess the amount of supervision necessary to offenders who are eligible for conditional release from prison before they have completed their sentences. Parolees must abide by general restrictions and requirements established by their parole officer. In some instances, parole officers supervise victim/offender mediation programs that involve face-to-face confrontations between the offender and victims. However, some parole officers work inside correctional facilities, preparing reports for parole boards.

They assess inmate’s lives before and during incarceration, how prisoners’ family will affect their community adjustment, and what job prospects inmates and their families (Alarid & Del Carmen, 2010). Parole officers also help parolees get jobs, schools, or treatment program. For example, ex- drug addicts may need to join in programs that assist them stay off drugs. According to Siegel & Bartollas, (2011), if parolees have financial problems, parole officers direct them to community based agencies in order to provide welfare benefits and their financial support.

Parole officers are supposed to visit their clients frequently to assess their development. If parolees fail to abide to rules, officers may recommend that parole be revoked, and consequently, parole board may send parolees back to prison (Siegel & Bartollas, 2011). The work of parole officers may be demanding and stressful, in most cases, they are under pressure at all times to present parolees positively to their communities. Case loads are usually heavy. Officers often work more than 40 hors per