Chapter 1: Unit 1 Lesson 1 - Correctional Probations

Describe the mission of the Florida Department of Corrections.

• Provide a continuum of services to meet the needs of those entrusted to our care, creating a safe and professional environment with the outcome of reduced victimization, safer communities and an emphasis on the premium of life. (FDC, 2016)

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Answer explanation

This is on page 5 of the book

Describe the values of the Florida Department of Corrections.

• Respect We treat people as they should be treated, without demeaning, degrading, or devaluing any individual or group. Integrity We demonstrate uncompromising ethical conduct in all our actions.

• Courage We face fear, danger and adversity, both physical and moral, to accomplish our mission, demonstrating commitment to do what is right, based on our shared values and moral reasoning, despite the potential of adverse consequences.

• Selfless Service We put the welfare of the Nation, our state and others, both staff and inmates/offenders, before our own.

• Compassion We practice empathy and recognize the challenges endured by inmates, offenders and their families and take actions to alleviate it, while supporting each other on and off duty as an FDC family.

Answer explanation

On Page 6 (CPO 2023)

Describe the philosophy of correctional probation within the Florida Department of Corrections.

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• A balance needs to exist between custody and control, and programs aimed at promoting behavioral change. The Department has implemented many community-based programs for offenders that allow them to address their needs while on supervision and decrease the possibility that they will reoffend.

Describe the relationship between the re-entry process and recidivism as implemented by the Department of Corrections.

• Reentry is the process of an offender transitioning from incarceration in a facility to supervision within the community, while enhancing public safety and reducing recidivism. (The re-entry process includes comprehensive needs assessments and a range of treatment and training programs designed to increase the likelihood that offenders will successfully transition into society as productive, law-abiding citizens.)

• Recidivism is a measure of the likelihood that an inmate will reoffend within three years of release from incarceration.

Answer explanation

On Page 7 (CPO 2023)

Define correctional probation officer as established by the Florida Statutes.

• Section 943.10(3), F.S., a person responsible for the supervised custody, surveillance, and control of assigned inmates, probationers, parolees, or community controlees within the Department of Corrections’ institutions or within the community. The term includes supervisory personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, and guidance of correctional probation officers.

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Answer explanation

Page 7 (CPO 2023)

What is a correctional probation officer is responsible for?

• performing professional work to investigate and assess offenders. Managing cases of all assigned offenders. Maintaining an awareness of offenders’ activities and providing direction as needed.

• Making sure that offenders comply with any statutory or special conditions of supervision ordered by the sentencing authority

• Evaluating offender progress and making recommendations throughout the period of supervision. Assisting offenders in securing employment and maintaining contact with local employers in their community

• Referring offenders to specialized treatment services such as substance misuse counseling and mental health counseling.

Answer explanation

Page 7 and 8 (CPO 2023)

Describe the role of a misdemeanor probation officer in providing continual supervision of offenders.

• Employed through the county, the court, the sheriff’s office, or a private entity. This type of probation officer supervises an offender who bonds out of jail and is waiting on the disposition of their case or who is sentenced to misdemeanor probation. This ensures an offender is under continuous supervision before and after the disposition. An offender can be under state and county probation at the same time, which will require you to maintain contact with these types of probation officers.

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Answer explanation

Page 8 (CPO 2023)

Describe the probation officer’s leadership qualities for directing and managing an offender under supervision.

• Leaders display confidence in their abilities and have a can-do attitude. Officers should possess qualities such as honesty, a positive attitude, intuition, discernment, and the ability to inspire and motivate. Come to work each day ready to use your leadership skills to assist offenders in becoming successful. Probation officers also strive to increase their knowledge and abilities through experience and post-academy training. They model themselves after good leaders and focus on representing their agency in a positive and professional manner. The Department of Corrections expects officers to strive for excellence while modeling the best qualities of leadership.

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Answer explanation

Page 8 (CPO 2023)

Describe the leadership strategies that are specific to a probation officer managing offenders under supervision.

• Be able to apply Department policy, but also be able to inspire and encourage anoffender under your supervision to make a positive change in their life. Demonstrate consistent and effective leadership while remaining fair and impartial in your decision-making. Your evaluations and decisions will affect not only an offender, but also the community in which you live and work.

• Demonstrate assertiveness when needed, but also show compassion and empathy when appropriate. You will deal with many types of offenders, from hardened criminals to first-time offenders, and you must demonstrate a consistent and fair approach.

• Maintain a balance between your role as a criminal justice officer and your responsibility to provide offenders a continuum of services that meet their needs.

• Maintain a balance between your role as a criminal justice officer and your responsibility to provide offenders a continuum of services that meet their needs.

Answer explanation

page 8 and 9 (CPO 2023)

Who is John Augustus the “Father of Probation” in America?

• A mid-nineteenth century, pioneer of the probation movement by agreeing to pay the bail for and supervise people accused of minor crimes. He believed that reforming offenders would improve lives and make communities safer.

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Answer explanation

Page 7 (CPO 2023)