If you’d like to explore a career within the criminal justice or social services field and you are willing to make a positive impact on people’s lives, then becoming a probation officer could be perfect for you. The role of a probation officer provides unique blend of criminology, psychology and social work, but what does it involve?
At its core the role of a probation officer is to supervise and support individuals who have been convicted of crimes and are serving their sentence outside of prison. They ensure that these individuals follow the conditions set by the court, working with them to reduce the chances of reoffending.
Probation officers experience dynamic and often unpredictable workdays, as the individuals they deal with are unique and require a tailored approach. This is a role where no two days are the same; one day could be taken up with administrative tasks, and the next with field visits and one-to-one meetings to ensure effective supervision and rehabilitation.
As a probation officer, you could:
- Interview offenders for court sentencing, parole and/or prison release
- Manage and ensure offenders attend supervision appointments and rehabilitation programmes
- Deliver rehabilitation programmes designed to address offending behaviours
- Assess risks and write reports to help courts, prisons and parole review boards make decisions
- Liaise with victims of crime when prisoners are considered for parole or being released from prison
- Work closely with Courts, Prisons, the Police and other agencies to manage risks and reduce reoffending
Some of the key skills and abilities for the role are:
- To be resilient and calm in stressful situations
- Thorough with good attention to detail
- Good at working both on your own and as a team
- Able understand people's reactions
- Open to change and flexible
- Have knowledge of public safety
- An active listener with a non-judgemental approach
- Good at communication and interpersonal relationships
- Skilled in administration and organisation
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How to become a probation officer
To become a probation officer, you will need to complete the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP). The course varies in length, depending on your prior experience. To be eligible for the 15-month fast-track programme, applicants need to have studied modules on at least three of the following four topics as part of a degree (or equivalent):
- Understanding Crime and Criminal Behaviour
- Criminal Justice System
- Penal Policy and Punishment
- Rehabilitation
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a probation officer, our BA (Hons) Criminology is a great starting point, as the following core modules on the course are aligned to the four key topics:
- The Criminal Justice System
- Understanding Crime and Criminal Behaviour
- Prisons and Punishment
- Rehabilitation and Desistance
How can you prepare for a career as a probation officer?
Prior experience in paid or voluntary practice of working with vulnerable people, or individuals with challenging behaviour, would be advantageous. This can be achieved through working with charities and organisations that support ex-offenders. Find out more about working in industry here - Working in Industry - Sociology and Criminology | Birmingham City University