Continuity and Change in the Roles of Correctional Personnel

If the field of corrections is defined in a broad manner, such as bringing a person to a state of behavior in which their acts are in conformity with the laws of society, every person who comes into contact with someone who has allegedly committed a criminal act and who has some positive effect on changing the person’s behavior can be considered a corrections worker. Police officers assigned to juvenile diversion programs, student resource officers working in the schools, judges who preside over family courts and juvenile drug courts, teachers, religious advisors, mental health specialists, family members, and volunteers who assist in the rehabilitation of those convicted of a criminal or delinquent act can be considered correctional workers. In this chapter, the personnel traditionally associated with corrections are defined, and their roles are explained. The roles of probation officers, parole officers (post-release supervisors), counselors, social workers, and correctional officers are described in the context of the expectations and legal requirements that direct their performance.