Duties vary from one position to another.
Parole officers work for the Government of Canada to manage the conditional release of federal offenders.
They make recommendations about placing individuals in the appropriate federal penitentiary. They work with any individual who receives a sentence of 2 years or more, or a suspension of an original federal sentence. Parole officers:
- Investigate a client’s past and present behaviours by interviewing other individuals staying in the institution, institutional authorities, police, family, and friends
- Plan programs for clients during their imprisonment
- Assess the suitability of clients for release under parole and statutory release
- Submit recommendations to the National Parole Board
- Develop networks with other parole officers and social welfare and community agencies
- Liaise with staff in correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and after-care agencies
- Supervise individuals who have been released on parole, day parole, or statutory release
- Offer guidance and direction to parolees in dealing with job-related and personal problems
Parole supervisors work in the private sector. They are contracted to supervise parolees who live in communities and rural areas without Correctional Service of Canada offices.
Probation officers work for the Government of Alberta to supervise a broad range of community correctional programs and services for adults and youth.
They administer Court orders and collaborate with justice partners and community stakeholders. Working through the framework of case management, probation officers support client behavioural change by:
- Assessing, formulating, monitoring, reviewing, and documenting case plans
- Applying effective practices in community supervision
Probation officers facilitate and foster positive behaviours with clients. They:
- Supervise individuals who have been released from a correctional or young offender centre on pretrial release, peace bond temporary absence, or provincial parole
- Supervise individuals sentenced by the Court to probation, community service work, conditional sentences, or supervision
- Administer and supervise individuals accepted to the alternative measures, extrajudicial sanctions, and fine option programs
- Gather, analyze, interpret, and process information for investigative and casework processes
- Prepare pre-sentence reports to assist the court in determining appropriate sentences
- Complete risk assessments for case planning