Parole may be granted to convicted criminals in the state of Arizona once they have served one-half to two-thirds of their sentence. Parole officer careers in Tucson often begin in the Tucson Regional Parole Office or the Southern Regional Parole Office, both located on West Starr Pass Boulevard.
The Arizona Department of Corrections has been developing plans to open the Southern Arizona Correctional Release Center (SACRC) in Tucson. This office will be used as a parole office for convicted prisoners on parole who are returning to life in the Pima County community. The facility will provide short-term residential accommodations for up to 150 parolees who have violated the terms of their parole, as well as day programs and treatment services. This facility is being created to offer additional community supervision options for Pima County and Tucson area parolees, as well as intervention for those who break the conditions of their parole. The SACRC may also possibly create more opportunities for those who are interested in parole officer jobs in Tucson.
Steps Required to Become a Parole Officer in Tucson
Education – In addition to having a valid driver’s license, prospective parole officers in Tucson, Arizona need to possess a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields:
- Business
- Public administration
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Criminal justice
Candidates who possess master’s degrees will be favored over those with bachelor’s degrees. Experience is not necessary in order to become a parole officer in Tucson.
Application Process – Those interested in applying to become parole officers in Tucson, are advised to seek out open positions at the Arizona State Government job search website, azstatejobs.gov. All interested candidates must apply online at this website for any available Tucson parole officer jobs. The application process includes interviews, a thorough background investigation, and a drug test.
Training for Parole Officers – Formal training is required to become a parole officer in Tucson. New parole officers in Tucson attend 64 hours of training at the Correctional Officer Training Academy in Tucson in their first year on the job.
Continuing Education – Each year, parole officers in Tucson must complete 48 hours of continuing education. This is required to ensure Tucson’s parole officers have the most current knowledge, techniques and skills necessary in order to perform job duties to the best of their ability.