A Job With A Purpose - Parole Officer

Parole Officers are vested with the responsibility of assuring that individuals who have been released from prison early re-assimilate to the community at large. They are court appointed agents who are linked to a variety of social service agencies. These jobs are dangerous and demanding at the same time. They come in direct contact with individuals who have committed offenses against society.

A parole officer needs to assess inmates and write reports recommending whether they should be granted parole. They are also vested with the duty to investigate any and all parole violations. They may also be asked to testify in court hearings, pre-trial hearings and at parole board hearings. The average parole officer handles anywhere between twenty to three hundred cases at a time.

In order to become a parole officer, one must be at least 20 years old, a United States citizen, and have a drivers' license with a clean record. It is possible to attain a position without a college degree, although it is suggested that one have at least an Associates' Degree in social work, criminal justice, or psychology. A Masters' Degree will ensure a higher pay rate and level of responsibility. Most applicants have a Bachelors' Degree with a minimum of two years experience in law enforcement or counseling.

Prospective parole officers cannot have any felony convictions on their record. They must also pass a battery of tests that include written skills, oral abilities, physical fitness, and psychological assessment. In some jurisdictions a governmental certification test may be asked of the applicant after they have completed a training program. A background check and drug test will also be administered.

A parole officers' job puts him/her in direct contact with what is sometimes violent felons. It is for this reason that applicants are required to acquire and maintain the peak of physical fitness. Ongoing testing for levels of physical fitness are conducted throughout the officers' career. It is also suggested, to enhance probability of hire, that the applicant acquire certification and licensure in firearms use.

Parole officers aid the inmate with access to the means to become a productive citizen once again. They help the individual fill gaps in their lives that caused them to commit crimes. They offer counseling, and access to psychological professionals, put the individual in touch with the people that will aid them in completing their education, and help them locate stable productive jobs and places to live.

With this information and other easily attained information you should be able to discover how to become A Parole Officer. A field with great career potential!