An essential part of the criminal justice system is called Corrections. It’s a lot more than just the incarceration of convicted criminals. In many ways it’s about what to do with the former felon after he or she has served his or her time, if only to ensure they don’t go back to prison. One of the key people in all this is the parole officer.

Also called community supervision officers, their job is to keep a steady eye on those on parole. They are often confused with probation officers, whose responsibilities are slightly different. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a probation officer only deals with those who were found guilty of a crime but not incarcerated. Parole officers deal primarily with former prisoners. It’s very common for people to do both, depending on the state they live in.

Basically, a parole officer’s responsibility is to keep an eye on released prisoners. They don’t do it alone; they often do it in conjunction with community groups. They have their charges report to their offices on a regular basis and they are also required to visit the former prisoner and anyone related to them at their homes, place of employment or wherever else is necessary. The idea is to ensure the parolee has been living up to the terms of his or her release. If not, it may involve re-incarceration.

One thing to always consider is that a parole officer is an employee of either a state or federal correction system. This means their jobs are directly affected by the state of the economy. For instance, one thing many states are now doing is releasing prisoners earlier than their full sentences due to a lack of funding. This, in turn, means a parole officer’s workload is increased proportionately.

At present, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that public sentiment is doing one thing in the profession’s favor, and that is demanding U.S. tax dollars be spent on prisons, police and parole officers. Because of this, the Bureau projects the number of positions will increase by 20% over the next ten years. 

For those interested in entering the field, a four year bachelor’s program is an absolute must. One should look for an on campus or online college that offers degrees in social science, humanities, criminal justice, psychology or something related. Those with the right kind of experience, such as police officers, often can find employment with just a few extra courses.

What one gets paid depends a lot on where one lives. Some states pay much, much better than others. The Bureau reports the median wage at $45,000. From there, in can range anywhere from $30,000 to as much as $78,000. Such matters as insurance, retirement and other perks are also dependent on where one works.

Those attending classes at distance learning degree programs will find all the prep work for a degree, as well as any classes pertinent to the profession the student wishes to enter. As it stands, the overall outlook for parole officers appears good. It’s not a position many think about for a long time career, thus many positions are open. Students earning their forensic science online degree will be prepared to enter a rewarding profession.