Supervision is:

• A way to monitor the activities and behavior of individuals released to the community.
• An opportunity to help individuals reintegrate into the community.
• An alternative to prison that costs less than incarceration and gives convicted persons the opportunity to live with their families, hold jobs, and be productive members of society.

If supervision (probation or supervised release) is ordered by the court, the case will be assigned to a probation officer. The probation officer is responsible for ensuring that persons under supervision obey the law and comply with their court-ordered conditions.

Conditions of Supervision

At the start of supervision, a probation officer will fully explain the conditions of supervision. These include mandatory conditions that the court imposes on all individuals placed on supervision. The court may also order discretionary conditions, known as special conditions, to address risk-related issues specific to a particular defendant. Special conditions may include, but are not limited to, location monitoring, substance abuse testing or treatment, mental health treatment, and disclosure of financial information.

Process of Supervision

When supervision begins, the probation officer will schedule a meeting with the person under supervision and have them complete a risk assessment questionnaire. This helps the officer develop an individualized supervision plan. The supervision plan will address obstacles that may impede a person’s ability or desire to complete supervision successfully and provide for services such as substance use disorder or mental health treatment.

Throughout the term of supervision, the probation officer will reassess needs and potential risk(s). Continued assessments allow the probation officer to adjust their personal contact and interventions with the person under supervision. Supervision will continue until the term of expires or until supervision is terminated by the court.