Many students and others in State College have probably heard a little about how probation and parole works if one is in the system after conviction for a crime. Most know that the system is administered by probation officers and parole officers. But many in Happy Valley may not know a great deal about the government agency under whose auspices these officers work. This blog post will provide a little information about that agency.
The agency in question is the Centre County Probation and Parole Department. Its website explains that the department is an arm of the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. The department’s primary role is to supervise sentenced offenders in the community. The department also conducts investigations for adult and juvenile defendants for the court’s use during the sentencing process.
In addition to these duties, the department also collects court-ordered fines, fees, costs and restitution from individuals sentenced. There is a specialized probation and parole officer for those convicted of domestic violence, and there are also school-based juvenile probation officers. The department also provides a referral process for those deemed to be in need of certain treatment or educational programs. It also administers community service programs for those who are ordered to perform community service as part of their sentences. The department also coordinates and administers a Driving Under the Influence Court.
What happens when a person is accused of violating their probation or parole conditions? They may be facing sanctions including additional penalties, an additional prison sentence and more. Accusations of probation and parole violations must be taken seriously by those facing the accusations.
Source: Centre County, Pennsylvania, “Probation & Parole,” accessed on Oct. 17, 2016