Why are college degrees required for probation and parole officers? Be sure to fully explain your answer

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Most adult probation and parole officers must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree, and at least 86% of states hiring juvenile probation officers require that they possess a degree (Reddington and Kreisel, 2003). Traditionally, probation officers were recruited out of the social work and psychology fields. As the emphasis of probation changed from treatment to public safety and control, a preference has emerged to recruit individuals with degrees in criminal justice, criminology, and sociology. This is because knowledge of crime causation and criminal law are important. It is an advantage for applicants who work with juveniles to have knowledge of development and adolescent psychology and juvenile justice. In addition to educational requirements, some jurisdictions may also require psychological evaluations, weapons qualification, and drug screening. It should be noted that many police departments have difficulty recruiting sufficient numbers of applicants to fill all positions, and adding the higher educational standard has added to this problem at some times in some agencies. It is rare for probation departments to have insufficient applicants in most locations. Adding the educational requirement means that the person getting the job will be four years older and, it is hoped, have additional years of emotional maturity.