Becoming a Probation or Parole Officer with a Felony Conviction
My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Texas
Is it possible that I can become a probation or parole officer with a felony drug conviction? I would like to do for others what was done for me. It has been 3 years since my conviction and I have held a reputable position in customer service since my release. I completed parole successfully with no problems. I was also only 18 when arrested. What are my chances?
Re: Becoming a Probation or Parole Officer with a Felony Conviction
Lower than the chances of the applicants who don't have records. Three years post-conviction for a drug offense, I am not expecting that many probation officers would see you as a good candidate.
But... how far are you from being qualified to serve as a probation officer? Is this "pie in the sky" stuff?
If you haven't earned any qualifications, I suggest considering other career paths.
Re: Becoming a Probation or Parole Officer with a Felony Conviction
I am trying to choose a career path so I can decide which education to achieve. I want to help people and provide for my family, but I do not want to waste time getting an education for a career I have no chances of obtaining. I feel like this is a dead end road for me. I cannot work in medicine, law, for the state... I can do hospitality and food industry and thats basically it. (Which is what I'm doing now, and it is not providing for my family) Is there ANY career I can shoot for and actually obtain with this felony? I am getting turned away left and right.
Re: Becoming a Probation or Parole Officer with a Felony Conviction
Some folks go into social work. There are numerous social aid or support programs that ex-convicts work in to both make a living and help others who are either incarcerated or on release. Some religious organizations operate prison ministries. Drug and substance abuse counseling is one field where there is a distinct possibility of obtaining employment if you have met the conditions of your release and have been in recovery (clean) since your release. Some of the most effective substance abuse counselors are ones who are recovering addicts who have been in the system-they know what their clients are going through and can be a positive role model. I should point out that many of the substance abuse counseling programs out there are privately funded or operated, so that might be one option to consider. Your best bet might be to talk to folks in that field and see what they have to say.
As for being a parole officer, I think it's safe to say that that would not happen. Having had any significant criminal history pretty much blocks you out to begin with. Then there's the budget cutting going on in local and state governments. My county laid off a significant number of probation/parole officers and even before the recession, those jobs were hard to come by in some regions. I grew up in Tennessee and literally, the only vacancies that came up there were when someone went got hired on by the feds, retired or died.