Parole Officer
Parole Officer
Job Description
Parole Officers have the difficult task of keeping prior prisoners (people convicted of a crime) out of any additional trouble upon their release from prison. In essence, a parole board and/or court will order a prisoner to be released and put on parole (under the guidance of a parole officer). The convicted criminal then must check in with the parole officer on a periodic basis and the parole officer is also responsible for reporting how well the convicted criminal is readjusting to life as a civilian.
So as a part of this daunting task the parole officer will be a link between the convicted criminal and several different social services. He or she will help the convicted criminal try to get back on their feet by providing housing, counseling, education, and will even help the parolee find a job. In general the average parole officer will be providing these services to 20 to 300 parolee cases at a time.
As mentioned above, the parole officer will prepare reports for the court containing progress reports for each offender. In addition, it’s very possible that the parole officer will be called into court to testify against (or even for) a parolee under their care. Usually they are called into a trial to explain reports they have filed for a particular parolee in the event that the parolee finds themselves in trouble with the law again.
As another aspect of their job, they are required to follow up and investigate any allegations of violations of court-orders by the offenders they are responsible for. This job may have elements of physical fitness, but mostly requires officers to be mentally tough with the ability and desire to listen to and help offenders turn their lives around.
Requirements
In order to be licensed and certified as a parole officer, a person must be at least 20 years old and must be a U.S. citizen. Like many jobs in the criminal justice field, a parole officer cannot have a felony conviction on their own record. In addition, parole officers must have a bachelor’s degree and they are required to pass a rigorous battery of tests (oral, written, psychological, and physical exams).
Job Outlook
The job outlook for parole officers is expected to remain strong through the year 2016. Given the increase in crime rates and the over-population of many of our prisons, it is expected that more parole officers will be needed given that the maximum cases any single probation officer can comfortably handle is in the 50 to 100 offender range.
University of Phoenix - The University of Phoenix is the best known online education resource in the world. They offer numerous options for students looking to further a career in criminal justice: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice Administration, B.S. in Organizational Security Management, & Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice.
Saint Leo University - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Saint Leo University offers Criminal Justice degrees at all levels in order to accommodate first time undergrads, or working professionals seeking to advance in their careers. Individuals with a Criminal Justice degree could work in several areas including law enforcement, crime scene investigation, legal studies, and more.
Post University Online - Bachelor's Degree. At Post University Online, students could earn their degrees completely online, with no interference in their current careers. They offer a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree that will provide students with an understanding of the way the criminal justice and juvenile justice system works, the legal framework in which the system operates, and other concepts and skills needed for a number of criminal justice careers.
Rasmussen College - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. Rasmussen College is a well-respected online college that offers an intense curriculum designed to meet the growing need of professionals in the criminal justice field. Degree offerings include: A.A.S. in Criminal Justice, A.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections, A.S. in Criminal Justice - Crime Scene Evidence, A.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security, A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement, B.S. in Criminal Justice, B.S. in Criminal Justice - Client Services & Corrections, B.S. in Criminal Justice - Criminal Offenders, B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security, and B.S. in Criminal Justice - Investigations/Law Enforcement.
American Intercontinental University - With a top notch criminal justice financial aid program and military degree program, American Intercontinental University online is a top rated criminal justice college. Degree options include: B.S. in Criminal Justice: Forensic Science, B.S. in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement, B.S. in Criminal Justice: Special Populations. Students graduating from American Intercontinental University leave the chance to impact their profession immediately with a number of career opportunities.
Boston University - Master's Degrees. Opening windows of opportunity for their diverse student population, Boston University offers a Master's degree in Criminal Justice that will prepare students to work in a variety of settings including courtrooms, correctional facilities, and many others.
LA College - Associate's Degrees. Helping students each step of the way towards their career in Criminal Justice, LA College offers an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice that will help students get their foot in the door for jobs in the law and justice field.
Herzing University - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. With an increase in demand for those in the criminal justice field, Herzing University has provided exemplary programs that will provide students with the knowledge and skills to obtain respected positions in their communities. They offer an Associate's and Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice for students seeking entry to mid-level positions in the criminal justice field.
Virginia College - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Virginia College offers three different degree levels in Criminal Justice for those interested in pursing a degree in the criminal justice or legal studies field. Their courses are ideal for students of any age, from those who are first-time undergrads to those who have been working in the field for years.
Everest University Online - With a career-oriented focus, Everest University Online is one of the best criminal justice programs for those looking for practical job skills that employers know and respect. Everest offers a B.S. in Criminal Justice, & M.S. in Criminal Justice.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Technical University online is the best criminal justice college for those seeking the ability to learn from anywhere, as it is one of the top online universities in the country. Graduates will leave with an A.S. in Criminal Justice, B.S. in Criminal Justice, or a M.S. in Criminal Justice.
Liberty University - Because of top placement after graduation, Liberty University is an education center that prepares you for success. It offers a Associate's of Arts (A.S.) in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor's of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice.
