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Home > Find a College > Majors & Careers Central > Profiles > Career: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Career: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

According to Gallup polls in recent years, there's a growing perception in the United States that criminal activity is rising. That's despite government reports that violent and property crime rates have remained low. However, one fact most of us know is that a larger percentage of people in the United States are being locked up than ever before.

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists play a vital role in helping decide who stays behind bars and who goes free.

Probation officers supervise convicted criminals who have been given probation (the chance to live in the community) instead of or in addition to a prison or jail sentence. Correctional treatment specialists work in jails or prisons, helping inmates prepare for life after they're released.

“Not everyone can do this type of work, but if your heart is in it, you can succeed. You must be fair, firm, and consistent in order to be successful.”

Cynthia, Probation Services Manager/Director

Are You Ready To...?

  • Interact with offenders
  • Arrange for services for offenders
  • Carry a firearm
  • Work in high-risk areas
  • Be on call twenty-four hours a day
  • Travel
  • Write reports
  • Use computers

It Helps to Be...

Honest, responsible, and able to exercise good judgment. You'll need solid communication skills to interact with offenders and others involved in their cases, from family members to judges. You'll also need patience in order to handle paperwork and participate in lengthy court proceedings.

Make High School Count

  • Sign up to be a peer counselor at your school.
  • Take psychology to learn about human thought, emotions, and behavior.
  • Sit up in civics to learn how the justice system works.
  • Read the news to keep up with trends in law enforcement and the prison system.

Did You Know?

  • Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists may prepare reports that help influence who gets released to the community and when they should be released.

Outlook

Government economists expect jobs for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016. Many openings will be created by the large number of workers expected to retire.

This career is not attractive to some people due to relatively low earnings, heavy workloads, and high stress.

Compensation

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, studied as a group, had an average wage of $49,520 in 2008. Higher wages tend to be found in urban areas.