Criminal Justice Careers – Recession Creates Opportunities for Probation, Probation Officers and More

While the recession knocked out some industries entirely, other fields are showing staying power in the twelfth round. One of them is criminal justice.

According to a March 20 Wall Street Journal article Titled “More Ex-Cons on the Streets, Fewer Jobs,” many states struggling to make their budgets are releasing prisoners from their sentences early. These states are discovering that it is less expensive to rehabilitate criminals outside of prison than it is inside, and so they are taking those savings and applying them to criminal rehabilitation programs.

The result is that the opportunities for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, two groups that work to help offenders succeed, are growing rapidly. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth of 19 percent in these fields through 2018, or faster than average.

If you’re interested in the criminal justice field and want a job where you can make a difference, here are details on these growth opportunities (and how to get started).

Correctional Treatment Specialists

Correctional treatment specialists, also known as case managers or correctional counselors, work with offenders in jails, prisons, and on the streets. They monitor their progress, plan education and training programs to develop their job skills, and help them find ways to deal with psychological problems (such as anger management, drug abuse, or alcohol abuse). Correctional treatment specialists can work closely with probation and probation officers to ensure the success of the offender once the sentence is complete.

Probation/Parole Officers

Both probation and probation officers work with citizens who have been convicted of breaking the law. They work with these individuals, their families, and their neighborhood organizations to help them become productive members of society and comply with the law and the terms of their probation or probation. The main difference between the two is that probation officers work with offenders who have been released from prison, while probation officers work with those who have received probation as a sentence.

Correctional Officers

Another career that is an important part of this system is the role of correctional officers. While offenders are serving time in prison, jail, or other correctional facilities, they are supervised and monitored daily by corrections officers. These professionals work in a difficult environment that can be great preparation for other careers in law enforcement.

educational requirements

Both positions typically require a bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field. To learn more about criminal justice degrees and the schools that offer these programs, visit our criminal justice degree programs page.