Running Head:SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATION

Special Needs populations and their impacts on Parole and Probation Officers

Abstract

The purpose of the research paper is to understand the expanding role of parole and probation officers in fulfilling the requirements of special need populations. Parole and Probation officers are playing a critical role in the rehabilitation of the offender groups. Many programs have been initiated to cater to the diverse need of the Special Need Population. Studies show mixed results about the effectiveness of these programs; however, no one can deny the importance of these programs in the judicial system when the criminal activities have reached new levels. Juvenile rehabilitation programs are of major importance in Special Need Populations apart from other programs.

Special Needs Populations and Their Impacts on Parole and Probation Officers

Introduction

The ever growing Special Need population and the nature of their needs have affected the role of Parole and Probation officers. Generally, this is a part of society which needs special attention from the government to address their needs. One of the groups within this special need population is offenders for whom Parole and Probation officers have been assigned to supervise their activities. The primary responsibility of both officers is to make sure that the offender doesn't go back to criminal behavior. The increased complexity of the nature of crimes has caused the judicial system to initiate a diverse number of offender programs to address them. It has also extended the scope of the role and duties of parole and probation officers who are being assigned in charge to supervise the programs. Parole officers should not be confused with Probation officers. A probation officer is a regulation enforcement officer who works with the offenders who have been sentenced for committing a crime. He supervises offenders punished by the assignment of probation rather than of incarceration. On the other hand, a parole officer is generally appointed by a state or localized government and the appointment has been made for juvenile correction program by government judicial department.

Thesis Statement

Special needs populations have impacted the roles, responsibilities and difficulties of parole and probation officers and their supervision tasks. A variety of offender supervision programs have added to the stress level of the parole and probation officers.

Discussion

Parole and Probation are fundamental to criminal especially juvenile justice in the country. They offer many services that are significant to the effective and efficient functions of roughly every facet of the justice system, starting from law enforcement to convicting to the final release of lawbreakers into the society. In these communities, parole and probation are best recognized for their role in the management of offenders in the society while also conducting investigations to support parole and judicial decision making, supplying free labor using these convicts to local communities through community service programs and operating residential and secure custodial facilities.

This neighborhood supervision task is responsible for the massive correctional population in the USA. Approx. 4.8 million adults were on parole and probation at the end of year 2010 relative to ...