Description

Probation officers monitor the conduct and behaviour of criminal offenders serving probation terms and serving sentences of two years less a day. They are employed by provincial government. Parole officers monitor the reintegration of criminal offenders serving the remainder of sentences on conditional release and individuals that are subject to a long term supervision order. They also assess inmates and develop rehabilitation programs for criminal offenders who are incarcerated in correctional facilities. They are employed by federal and provincial governments. Both, probation and parole officers work in the community and in correctional facilities including young offender’s correctional facilities.

Job Titles

• Parole officer
• Probation officer

Main Duties

• Interview inmates to assess adjustment problems and develop suitable rehabilitation programs
• Prepare reports for the recommendation of security level, penitentiary placement, type of incarceration and types of interventions considered most beneficial for the rehabilitation of the inmates
• Interview offenders, police, family, friends, school authorities and employers to prepare pre-sentence reports and assess offenders’ prospects for successful reintegration into the community
• Plan rehabilitation programs with inmates, establishing rules of conduct, goals and objectives
• Refer inmates and offenders to community and social service programs, as required
• Supervise the terms of a probation order and attend court
• Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans
• Recommend remedial action or initiate court action when terms of probation or parole are violated
• Attend court proceedings to provide expert testimony on an inmate’s case as well as detention and dangerous offenders status court rulings
• May perform administrative duties and supervise support staff
• May participate in policy development.

Workplaces

• Community and correctional facilities
• Federal government departments
• Provincial government departments

Skills

• Persuading
• Social Perceptiveness
• Coordinating
• Decision Making
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Problem Identification
• Verbal Ability
• Deductive Reasoning
• Fluency of Ideas
• Inductive Reasoning

Personal Attributes

• Adaptability
• Attention to Detail
• Service Orientation
• Stress Tolerance
• Analytical Thinking

Similar Occupations

• Managers in social, community and correctional services (40030)
• Social workers (41300)
• Social and community service workers (42201)
• Correctional service officers (43201)

Source: OaSIS