Montana Code 46-23-1003. Qualifications of probation and parole officers
46-23-1003. Qualifications of probation and parole officers. (1) (a) Probation and parole officers must have at least a college degree and some formal training in behavioral sciences. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the department. Related work experience in the areas listed in subsection (1)(b) may be substituted for educational requirements at the rate of 1 year of experience for 9 months formal education if approved by the department. All present employees are exempt from this requirement but are encouraged to further their education at the earliest opportunity.
Terms Used In Montana Code 46-23-1003
- Department: means the department of corrections provided for in 2-15-2301. See Montana Code 46-23-1001
- Parole: means the release to the community of a prisoner by the decision of the board prior to the expiration of the prisoner's term, subject to conditions imposed by the board and subject to supervision of the department. See Montana Code 46-23-1001
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- Probation: means the release by the court without imprisonment, except as otherwise provided by law, of a defendant found guilty of a crime upon verdict or plea, subject to conditions imposed by the court and subject to the supervision of the department upon direction of the court. See Montana Code 46-23-1001
- Probation and parole officer: means an officer employed by the department pursuant to 46-23-1002. See Montana Code 46-23-1001
- Probation officers: Screen applicants for pretrial release and monitor convicted offenders released under court supervision.
(b)Work experience that may be substituted for the educational requirements in subsection (1)(a) includes experience in the areas of criminology, education, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, law, law enforcement, social work, sociology, psychiatric nursing, or guidance and counseling.
(2)Each probation and parole officer shall, through a source approved by the officer’s employer, obtain 16 hours a year of training in subjects relating to the powers and duties of probation officers, at least 1 hour of which must include training on serious mental illness and recovery from serious mental illness. In addition, each probation and parole officer must receive training in accordance with standards adopted by the Montana public safety officer standards and training council established in 2-15-2029. The training must be at the Montana law enforcement academy unless the council finds that training at some other place is more appropriate.