PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS STAY BUSY

Monitoring the behavior and progress of offenders is the primary mission of the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole. But the department's business isn't as simple as most people think.

Probation officers don't only hang around the office meeting with clients.

Among other duties, the department executes presentencing investigations for the court, supervises electronic monitoring of parolees, works with substance abuse programs, provides psychological counseling for sex offenders, finds employment for clients and works to help straighten out younger offenders.

"We hope to help them become responsible citizens and taxpayers," said Clarence Ackman, regional director for the Cape Girardeau probation and parole.

The local region includes Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties. As of July, there were 997 active cases in the region -- 94 in Bollinger County, 200 in Perry County and 703 in Cape Girardeau County. Handling those cases are 16 probation and parole officers -- one for Bollinger County, three for Perry County and 12 for Cape Girardeau County.

The goal for officers is to pinpoint problem areas and make sure their charges address those problems.

Steve Narrow, drug treatment coordinator, said the public has a misconception that the department allows criminals out of prison to run amok in the community. Instead, he said, officers provide a buffer between offenders and the community.

"I think the public thinks a 10-year sentence should equal a 10-year sentence," Narrow said. "But they are coming out of jail sooner or later."

Parole allows the state to monitor offenders for a time after they are released rather than simply dump them back into the community, Narrow said. Of the active 703 cases in Cape County, 108 are parolees.

"Can you imagine what kind of damage these people would be doing?" Narrow said.

Parole and probation cases typically are handled the same. Much of the job is teaching people to take responsibility for their lives and actions while learning how to measure up to society's expectations.

"A lot of times folks come out here and don't know how to make decisions," Narrow said. "We help to change that."

Officers become involved as soon as a defendant is found guilty by the court. The judge asks for a presentence investigation to help him determine the offender's fate.

Such investigations give a comprehensive picture of the offender and his crime. The reports include:

-- Basic facts of the offense.

-- Victim statements and possible methods of making restitution.

-- The offender's arrest record.

-- The offender's life history, including family background, education and medical or psychological problems.

-- Probation officer's recommendation.

When weighing prison versus probation, judges typically follow that recommendation.

Someone on probation or parole must follow the conditions set forth by the judge. If the offender isn't complying with the orders, the officer files a violation report.

One, two or even several violations, however, don't automatically mean a person's probation will be revoked.

"We will work with them as long as we feel they are not a real threat to the community," said Willard Edwards, an officer based in Cape Girardeau.

"There are typically no black and white decisions in this job. There are always some gray areas. You just have to make some kind of evaluation based on your experience and all kinds of other factors."

If a person chronically fails, he will end up back in court. The result of that visit may be another chance, shock jail time or revocation and prison. Revocation is recommended only as a last resort or if the probationer commits a serious crime.

One way to handle a continual violator is to place them on "intense supervision." An offender in that program can expect 10 to 12 visits at home and work -- some announced, most unannounced -- from the supervising officer each week. Typically, around 22 people in Cape County are under intense supervision.

Another option is electronic monitoring. Offenders must wear a tamper-proof electronic shackle which monitors them around the clock. If the offender isn't home when he or she is supposed to be, authorities are immediately informed.

"If you get a certain number of feet away from that phone it'll show they are not there," said Ackman.

Eleven people now are under electronic supervision in Cape County.