The Adult Parole Authority within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has nine parole units within the Cincinnati Region. With five parole units headquartered in the Cincinnati regional office and a single unit at each of the satellite offices in Chillicothe, New Butler, Lebanon, and Hillsboro, the Adult Parole Authority utilizes 71 parole officers to monitor more than 4,386 offenders.
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In 2011, the Cincinnati regional office oversaw 11 probationers, 52 parolees, 1,868 community control offenders, and 1,089 post release offenders. Parole officers also supervised 1,332 other offenders who entered the community supervision system through other programs. Although this office administers parole supervision in other counties including Clinton, Butler and Monroe, the majority of services are conducted in Hamilton County.
Steps to Become a Parole Officer in Cincinnati, Ohio
The minimum requirements for Cincinnati-based probation officer job applicants include:
- Bachelor’s degree; or
- Associate’s degree with two years of experience in one of the following fields:
- Law enforcement
- Social work
- Correction
- Ability to use and carry firearms
- Possession of a valid driver’s license
- Successful completion of the Parole Officer Civil Service Exam within 12 months prior to application
- Ability to complete Parole Officer Orientation School
The civil service exam involves the following components:
- Fingerprint submission to be used in FBI and BCI criminal history checks
- A written exam comprised of 25 multiple choice questions regarding the field of parole and probation
New recruits must attend the three week Parole Officer Orientation School at the Corrections Training Academy as part of the process of becoming a parole officer in Cincinnati. While there recruits will receive training in firearms and self-defense. Graduates must successfully pass the final exam and qualify in the use of firearms in order to receive certification. Officers must re-certify annually through firearms re-qualification and the obtainment of at least 40 hours of additional training.
The Condition of Cincinnati’s Parole System
Hamilton County reported that 2.4 percent of parolees were re-incarcerated during the three year period following 2008 for a technical parole violation. Almost 27 percent of parolees during this period was re-incarcerated for a new crime, which exceeds the state average of 25.4 percent. Hamilton County also received almost $11.3 million in funding for use in several programs including halfway houses, prison diversion, and jail diversion.
Cincinnati parole officers utilize several technological aids to assist them in monitoring parolees. The Field Officer Tools project utilizes mobile tools in tandem with the Community Corrections Information System to input and retrieve case information. Tablets and smartphones now may be used to access critical information while en route to a supervisee’s home or workplace. These tools also limit the need to remain in the office, granting a more mobile approach to community supervision.