The Adult Parole Authority monitors and supervises parolees within Cleveland and the surrounding areas in Cuyahoga County. In 2011, 38 parole officers, seven senior parole officers and seven supervisors provided parole services through a regional office in Cleveland, which houses seven parole units and a satellite office in Lorain, which supports three additional units.
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During 2011, Cuyahoga County had 4,024 total supervisees, of which 1,632 were parolees, 233 were under judicial release, and 2,169 were under post-release supervision. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections allocated almost $18.2 million to fund parole and community supervision programs in this county in 2011.
The Cleveland Region faces many challenges in rehabilitating parolees. Following release almost 66 percent of parolees must rely on a family member for financial support during the first month. While this is a significant burden on family units, this heightened interaction with family helps reduce recidivism, with 26 percent of parolees citing family as their reason for staying out of prison.
How to Become a Parole Officer in Cleveland, Ohio
Only the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction hires parole officers in the state of Ohio. In order to qualify for this position, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Possession of a valid driver’s license
- Ability to carry and use a firearm
- Ability to complete the parole officer orientation school course
- Either
- Possession of a bachelor’s degree; or
- Possession of an associate’s degree and two years of experience in one of the following
- Law enforcement
- Criminal justice
- Social welfare
- Corrections
Candidates for parole officer jobs in Cleveland may wish to strengthen their application package by obtaining a post-graduate degree, which can assist in acquiring a position, accelerating the pace of promotion and bolster salaries.
Civil Service Exam and Parole Officer Training
Prior to applying for parole officer jobs, applicants must take a civil service exam at least 12 months prior to submitting an application. This process requires providing fingerprints for a criminal records check and the successful completion of a 25-question exam.
Once hired, new recruits must enroll in a three-week job orientation program which will include instruction in
- Firearms
- Self-defense
- Pepper spray
Graduates must qualify with firearms in order to obtain parole officer certification. This accreditation must be renewed annually through re-qualification and 40 or more hours of additional training.