MILO
Probation and Parole Officer Simulation Training

Probation officers and parole officers are fundamental officers within the criminal justice system, building bridges for individuals both pre-trial and post-sentencing, and working to connect their clients with community services and support systems to combat offender recidivism. The unique positioning of probation officers and parole officers between the court system, correctional facilities, social services, their clients on caseload, and their clients’ communities requires an intentional emotional investment on the job and finely-tuned interpersonal skills that cannot be learned in a traditional police academy or from a textbook.

As they work with vulnerable populations and help them develop the skills for successful re-entry into their respective communities, parole officers and probation officers have the obligation to connect their clients with social services, resources, and community supervision, and often wear the hats of both career counselor and corrections officer, as well as community consultant. Clients on probation and parole working toward re-entry need to have both the soft skills and the concrete skills to not just obey the law, find stable housing, potentially meet with community corrections administrations and parole boards, and build successful relationships within their communities — they also need to gain meaningful employment, successfully answer interview questions, pass background checks and drug tests, handle complicated interpersonal relationships on the job, and meet the expectations of employers.