Question

Why is the treatment role of a probation/parole officer so difficult?

Answer 1

A Probation Officer is specially trained officer who normally hold a degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology and Psychology. They are someone who works with and monitors offenders to prevent them from committing new crimes. They are employed either by Federal Government or by Law Enforcement Agency.

Probation Officer plays a important role in society and in the Law Enforcement process. A Probation Officer help offenders to assimilate back in to the society. They help offenders, rehabilitates assist them in becoming a good member in their communities. Position of a Probation Officer offers stability and benefits. Since they are Government employees, they are intitled to fair compensations and benefits such as pension, paid vacations, sick leave, pension, health and dental care. But there are various difficulties facing by a Probation Officer.

A Probation Officers have to be constantly on call and sometimes they should be available for twenty four hours a day. Probation Officer need to complete loads of paperwork. They want to write reports about offenders constantly. Sometimes Probation Officer work with criminal offenders whom may be dangerous. During supervising offenders they may also interact with offender's family members and friends who may be upset or difficult to work with.

Working as a Probation Officer may lead to cynicism and feelings of distruct in other people because of the offender's behavior. They may lie about their behavior. Sometimes family members and friends of client may also tell untruths to mislead the officer. The officer may also want to interact with client's family members who may also have criminal tendencies or be psychologically or emotionally unstable.

A Probation Officer may be constantly confronted by various dangerous situations. The offenders sometimes live in dangerous neighborhood that the officer have to visit by carrying a firearm or other weapon for protection. Sometimes workers will be assigned to field work in high crime areas where there is a risk of violence or communicable diseases present.

All of these factors as wel as the frustration contribute Probation Officer to a stressful work environment. This high stress level will make the job difficult for Probation Officer.