Probation and parole services in Boise, Idaho, are carried out by District 4 Probation and Parole, which is one of 7 judicial districts within the Idaho Department of Corrections (IDOC). District 4 covers the southwestern portion of Idaho, which serves not only the state’s largest city, Boise, but the following counties, as well:
Sponsored School(s)
- Ada County (which is home to Meridian, the third largest city in the state)
- Elmore County
- Valley County
- Boise County
In addition to the main office in Boise, District 4 satellite offices are located in McCall and Mountain Home.
As of March 2013, District 4 provides services to 4,349 probationers and parolees, or about 30 percent of total cases in Idaho. Nearly 3,100 offenders were under probation supervision during this time, and 1,252 offenders were under parole supervision.
Probation Officer Careers in Boise, Idaho: Employment Requirements
Individuals interested in pursuing probation officer careers in Boise, Idaho, must have knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
- Behavioral sciences
- Identifying social or human science resources to fit the needs of clients
- Criminal justice
- Writing procedural reports
Candidates are also expected to have a valid driver’s license and meet all entrance requirements established by the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) for Probation and Parole Officers. Because probation and parole officers in Boise are certified peace officers, candidates for these jobs must be able to pass a physical fitness test, which includes:
- 1.5 mile run/walk
- 300-meter run
- One-minute sit-ups
- Push-ups
- Vertical jump
All candidates who qualify for probation and parole officer jobs in Boise and are contacted for an interview must submit to a thorough background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. Further, all candidates are required to take a written examination, with a rating of 67 considered passing.
How to Become a Probation or Parole Officer in Boise through Training
Becoming a probation and parole officer in Boise requires formal training at the Peace officer Standards and Training facility. Upon the successful completion of the Felony Probation and Parole Academy, probation and parole officers are considered POST-certified peace officers in the State of Idaho.
Thereafter, all probation and parole officers in Idaho must complete quarterly training classes in such areas as: firearms, policy reviews, safety protocols, arrest techniques, among others to remain certified.
The Idaho Bureau of Probation and Parole
Idaho’s Bureau of Probation and Parole, which is organized and governed by the IDOC, provides supervision for adult felons, either through probation or parole. The Bureau of Probation and Parole provides probation and parole services to more than 16,500 felony offenders in the state.
The Bureau of Probation and Parole has 1,500 employees and includes 10 prisons, 4 community work centers, and 7 district offices with about 20 satellite offices.
Problem-Solving Courts in Boise, Idaho
In addition to standard probation and parole services, the Bureau of Probation and Parole supports a number of problem-solving courts throughout the state, including:
Mental Health Courts: Courts designed specifically to address the unique needs of nonviolent offenders who are mentally ill and have substance abuse problems. Probation and parole officers through the IDOC provide supervision to offenders within mental health courts. There are 10 mental health courts in Idaho.
Drug Courts: Drug courts are designed specifically for nonviolent offenders with substance abuse problems. Only those individuals who appear to benefit from drug treatment instead of incarceration or probation are chosen for drug courts, although IDOC probation and parole officers are tasked with monitoring the offender’s progress. There are 21 drug courts in Idaho.