probation offices operate. Within these offices, probation officers will be assigned cases (caseload), in term of 
the probationers, they will manage. The volume of cases in a probation officer’s caseload can vary from just a 
few clients if they are high need/risk clients, to several hundred probationers. It depends on the jurisdiction, 
the structure of the local PO office, and the abilities of the probation officers themselves. 
The role of the probation officer is complex, and sometimes diametrically opposing. A PO’s primary 
function is to enforce compliance of individuals on probation. This is done through check-ins,  random drug 
screenings, and enforcement of other conditions that are placed on the probationers. Additionally, the PO 
may go out into the field to serve warrants, do home checks for compliance, even make arrests if need be. 
However, at the same time, a probation officer is trying to help individuals on probation succeed. This 
is done by trying to help individuals to get jobs, get schooling, enter into substance or alcohol programs, 
and generally support people on probation to be successful. This is why the job of the PO is complex, as 
they are trying to be supportive, but also having to enforce compliance. Many equate this to kind of like 
being a parent. Recently, there has been a movement within probation to have probation officers act more 
like coaches than just disciplinarians. Here is a talk about how POs can view themselves as coaches to enact 
positive change within individuals on probation: 
http://criminaljusticeofficehours.libsyn.com/dr-brian-lovins-probation-
coaches?fbclid=IwAR2pHROGAPpm09-PFqVzFG10ItFhCi1huFItChe65Ew7-gXDB0OSacCliQs 
The other primary function of a probation officer is to complete PSI reports on individuals going through 
the court process. A PSI or Pre-Sentence Investigation report is a psycho-social workup on a person headed 
to trial. It includes basic background information on an individual, such as age, education, relationships, 
physical and mental health, employment, military service, social history, and substance abuse history. It also 
has a detailed account of the current offense, witness or victim impact statements of the event, and prior 
offenses (criminal records), which are tracked across numerous agencies. Finally, the PSI also has a section 
that is devoted to a plan of supervision or recommendations, which are created by the PO. These usually list 
out the conditions of probation recommendations, if probation is to be granted. Judges use this information 
during sentencing discussions and hearings, and will usually follow these recommendations often (around 
85% of the time). Thus, many of the conditions of probation are prescribed by the PO. 
Individuals on Probation 
As stated, there are several million people on probation, serving various lengths of probation, and under 
numerous conditions or condition types. Additionally, the convictions which place individuals on probation 
vary, to include misdemeanors and felonies. Probationers serve their probation at the state level, and there is 
even federal probation. As depicted below, it is easy to see how much probation is used in the United States. 
Use of Probation in the U.S. 
ALISON S. BURKE, DAVID CARTER, BRIAN FEDOREK, TIFFANY MOREY, LORE RUTZ-BURRI, AND SHANELL
SANCHEZ
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