What is the “standard” process for someone on parole, who’s (presumably) not getting into trouble? Do they just pop into your office for 20 minutes once a month and fill you in on what they’re doing? Do you question them, or make 'em pee into a cup, or anything? What else goes on during their appointments?
My state has similar standards. Parole officers need an articulable reason to perform a warrantless search, and our decision to search can be based on information obtained from another agency. We can’t search a parolee just because the police tell us to. ( and I wouldn’t anyway- I don’t take orders from them)
It seems like such a depressing job to me, so I ask, what did you like about it that made you want to stick with it?
I’m fairly friendly with one of the local POs, and he’s such an upbeat, cheery person that it made me wonder what possibly attracted someone to such a glum sort of job. He’s told me that most of his cases don’t turn out well, but he keeps trying, and I admire that. It just seems so discouraging, to me.
Can you tell when people are being upfront with you, and others aren’t?
Yeah, if someone is doing everything they’re supposed to do, the meetings can be pretty quick. We can also check up on them at home or work, or go to their counseling appointments to make sure they’re attending, but as I was saying earlier, my caseload recently went so high that I hardly have time for that stuff anymore. Actually, if you do the math, I have about 220 people and work 110 hours a month, which is one half hour to spend on each person per month. Not really enough time to do the kind of job I would like to, and I have made this known to my superiors, but the “team” concept is their baby and they’re not about to admit any downside to it.
They may have to pee in a cup at their appointment time, or I may call them at random to come in and do that. As I said, my caseload consists entirely of people who are NOT on probation for an alcohol or drug offense, so they don’t need to be screened as often.
What if the police call you and tell you they suspect someone of something, or that they got a tip about someone? Can you search then? Would you consider that “taking orders” from the police?
I don’t find it depressing at all. I don’t take it personally if someone screws up. If I did it would be pretty depressing, I suppose. A lot of people tell me I really helped them and thank me. Just last week I asked a guy to tell me about his drug history, and he said he was a heavy user until 10 years ago, when he had me as a probation officer, and I made him stop and he hasn’t used since. I didn’t recognize the guy at all but he remembered me.
A lot of times, yeah. Some people are really lousy liars. I like to think I’ve become something of a human lie detector, and I catch a lot of people lying, but it’s impossible to know how many people lie and never get caught.
I can’t search just because the police suspect someone of something. For example, a police officer may tell me he suspects a particular parolee has a firearm. Not enough. He may say the reason for his suspicion is that the parolee has a history of possessing firearms. Still not enough. However, if the police officer’s suspicion is based on the fact that the parolee’s girlfriend filed a report alleging that he threatened her with a gun, that may be enough.
The police here ( and it may be specific to here ) sometimes seem not to understand that while our standards to search are different from theirs, we still have standards and we can’t search just because they tell us to.
I’m having a hard time picturing what these rules are. I mean, “don’t steal” is a basic rule that we all have to follow … are there some sort of “oh, now you’re in for it!” rules?
Aside from, what, get and keep a job, what else is there? Don’t be late for your probation meeting? Don’t pass Go or collect $200? (Oh wait, wouldn’t that one not be in effect if they aren’t actually going to jail?) Be home before 10 PM? Don’t post in the wrong forum?
Generally speaking, each jurisdiction has rules which apply to all parolee/probationers, which would include conditions such as obeying all laws, maintaining employment, and reporting as directed. In my state, there are 13 such rules for parolees. One of those rules requires complying with any additional conditions imposed by the board, and another requires obeying any additional conditions imposed by the parole officer. Those additional conditions are imposed for crime or offender specific reasons - for example, someone with a history of DWI may have conditions to attend alcohol abuse treatment, not to consume alcohol, and not to frequent places where alcohol is served.
Hello,
I am currently on probation and I recently submitted a request to leave the state for vacation and it was denied. What are the chances of my probation officer catching me if I leave anyway? And what tactics would she use?
reemstarz06, we don’t allow discussions of how to break the law on these boards. Plus this thread is four years old, the person who started it is no longer around.
I’m going to lock this thread. I recommend you familiarize yourself with our rules if you’re planning to stick around.
twickster, MPSIMS moderator