Variety on the Job: Special Skills, Special Duties in Federal Probation

• NCJ Number: 171605
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 61 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1997) Pages: 25-37
• Author(s): R N Altman; M H Berg; S I Freitas; R J Maher; R E Murray; C M Rahill-Beuler; E M Read; K M T Kretzer
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Citizen Involvement Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A series of descriptions of the special skills and duties of Federal probation officers encompasses working with substance abusers, the management of offenders under community service orders, financial investigations, home confinement, supervising mentally disordered offenders, and employment services.

Abstract

The substance abuse specialist is a senior-level officer whose job is to oversee and manage the office's substance abuse program. This mostly involves awarding, managing, and overseeing outside contract clinical treatment and urinalysis services provided to drug-dependent offenders. The success of a court- ordered community service program is largely attributable to the dedication and energy of individual probation officers. It is they who must market the community corrections concept, determine appropriate assignments for offenders, coordinate with the community agencies in which offenders serve, and monitor offender performance. Further, probation officers must audit offender financial statements under a law that requires offenders to disclose their assets and liabilities as well as the sources and amounts of their income and expenses. In the area of home confinement, the probation officer's field work centers on three main activities: selecting participants for the program, physically placing participants in home confinement, and supervising participants following the hookup. The probation officer who is a mental health specialist must have a repertoire of techniques to motivate offenders to make positive changes in their behavior. Appropriate supervision approaches are crucial in both addressing offender treatment needs and attempting to ensure community safety. Finally, employment specialists must have broad knowledge of community agencies that offer more than conventional job placement. They must develop resource manuals and information to help the general officer staff in the delivery of employment services. They must be prepared to make referrals to a variety of educational programs, specific vocational training, and colleges. 9 notes