Probation and paroleole officers in Layton play an important part in the local community, helping most offenders learn how to become productive and responsible members of society and arresting or reporting those who continue to choose crime over rehabilitation. Utah’s Department of Corrections uses the job title of adult probation and parole officer to describe the dual role a single officer can fulfill in the related fields, and to distinguish the position from that of juvenile probation officer.
In the Utah Department of Corrections region one, which includes Layton, offenders under supervision through the probation and parole system account for 26.9 percent of the State’s total offenders within the criminal justice system.
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Getting the Right Education
The State of Utah requires all who apply for adult probation and parole officer jobs to have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. A candidate’s chances for a successful application may be raised through a combination of additional education, such as a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or criminal justice, and experience, such as previous employment in a related field or being able to speak more than one language. However, no previous training is required, as new officers will receive extensive training after hire.
An officer career starts with an application. Utah maintains a state jobs listing online, and candidates must monitor this for any Adult Probation and Parole Officer openings. The postings are listed from the Department of Corrections, and there are two locations near Layton: the Northern Region Ogden Office and the Northern Utah Community Corrections Center (NUCCC). When vacancies are posted applicants will have a head start if they have already created an online account with the Utah human resources department.
What to Expect From Layton’s Probation and Parole System
A career as a Layton adult probation and parole officer involves serving the offender, community and courts. The officer has an obligation towards assigned probationers and parolees to provide as many community resources and opportunities to help with rehabilitation as possible. The other side of this coin is that the officer must also hold the offender to his or her terms of probation or parole, reporting every violation as necessary. The community is served as prison populations are reduced and inmates are instead working as productive members of society. Officers serve the justice system by preparing reports and background investigations that inform the legal process of pertinent information about the adjudicated.
Across the state the top three most common reasons offenders are in the probation and parole system are:
- Part of a felony sentence
- Condition of parole
- Sentence resulting from the commission of a Class A misdemeanor
Adult Probation and Parole Officer Training in Layton
All adult probation and parole officers across Utah are required to undergo a thorough training program that includes:
- Peace Officer certification through a training academy
- CPR and first aid
- Firearms training
- Corrections Officer II certification
- CAT-I also known as Special Function Officer certification
After their first year of employment, officers must keep their certifications up-to-date. This requires the completion of 40 hours of training each year, and includes a firearms recertification course.