April commemorates Second Chance Month, a time to raise awareness about the barriers facing almost 80 million Americans who live with some type of criminal record. For most formerly incarcerated individuals, transitioning back into our communities is a complicated process with red tape and barriers to housing, education, and employment. Going at it alone is next to impossible, but individuals who are lucky enough to be paired with an innovative probation officer can see success.
As a former law enforcement officer, I’ve worked with probation officers in the past, but I recently joined on a ride-a-long in Tallahassee that opened my eyes to what successful relationships with probation officers can accomplish. There are approximately 146,000 Floridians currently supervised by probation officers, and this is often the first point of contact for many individuals beyond jail and prison walls. For some, it can also be the first time they experience any form of correctional actions, expectations, or individual accountability.
As I entered the Probation Office in Tallahassee, I met with the officer I would be riding with for the evening. He told me about the course of the ride and how we would be stopping at homes to meet with those he was currently supervising, explaining his role and the reason for the stops. I spent much of the time asking technical questions about the process, but he quickly demonstrated why the job was so much more.