When people are sent to prison and ultimately released, they are most likely to be placed on parole to ensure they no longer pose a threat to public safety. If a person is convicted of a crime and placed on probation, rather than sent to prison, they have to be supervised to ensure they are following the condition of their probation. Probation officers are the people responsible for monitoring people while they are on probation. Specialty schools in probation officer training help prepare people interested in these careers.

Probation officers are sometimes referred to as community supervision officers in some states and have a variety of responsibility to monitor the completion of probation for offenders. Probation officers usually have to have personal contact with offenders and sometimes their families. The conditions of their probation may vary, depending on the nature of the offense. For example, some offenders maybe required to complete a drug or substance abuse program, maintain or secure a job, or attend other specialized classes. Sometimes, offenders are given a monitoring device and the probation officer must track his movements, either making sure he doesn’t leave his home (if he is on house arrest), or only goes to and from work.

Aspiring probation officers most likely have a background and education in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or a related field. Some states and the federal government require specialized probation officer training to ensure their probation officers know the local, state or federal statues and regulations pertaining to their charges.

After completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in criminal justice, social work, psychology or related field, and then probation officer training, most agencies also require the completion of a written, oral, psychological and physical exam. Those aspiring to work in the federal system must have two years of prior work experience in the criminal justice system. Probation officers are then placed in an on the job training program for a period of at least six months.

Those interested in becoming a probation officer should first examine what field they want to specialize their area of degree. Criminal justice degrees are one of the most popular degree fields to help prepare for probation officer training. These degree programs will typically combine courses such as psychology, history, English and other general classes with those in law enforcement.

Lock Up Your Career as a Probation Officer Unfortunately for society, the need for probation officers will increase through 2016, but that is a good omen for you if you desire to become a probation officer. In 2006, there were approximately 96,0000 probation officers across the country and that number is expected to grow by 11 percent, which is as fast as the average for other careers.

Probation officers can be expected to earn between $28,000 per year for new people in the career who have just completed probation officer training, up to over $70,000 per year for the highest paid in the profession. The probation officers who normally make more are located in more urban areas.

Lock up your career and get started today on the path to probation officer training!