Probation officers catch break, may hire more officers

One sector that may be getting some good news is the Department of Corrections Probation and
Parole. After struggling for some time to keep up with increasing case loads, probation officers may catch a break.

Part of the budget proposal states that this department may be hiring more officers, and even an additional supervisor. That means officers will be able to keep better track of their offenders. The kinds of things that will help them become better citizens, to be successful at probation, that will give them more time to assess the risk that the offenders pose to the community,” said community corrections manager Jean Walker.

Walker said her officers are struggling to keep up with more than four thousand offenders in our area. They are spread thin as it is, so even one additional officer will help lessen their load.