My husband is hearing horrible stories about after he gets out that the PO will make our life hell all over again. He is hearing that they actually come to your house in the middle of the night, or call ur work and make you come down to give urine samples, etc.

Since I have no clue about any of this I told him I would ask you guys and see what you have to say. Personally I'm thinking that the guys telling him these stories are probably leaving out some points like "they were caught doing something thus the PO is tightening down", etc.

Any input you might have would be appreciated.

Thanks! --- B

I have been working with people who have probation/parole officers for years (being in the addiction field) and honestly, I have seen from one extreme to the next here in IL... it all just depends on the individual P.O.... I have had some clients who I literally saw their P.O. be on them like flies on sh**... randomly coming over to their house, dropping them frequently, even dropping by my office when the person had reported they had an appointment, just to make sure they were where they were supposed to be... I have seen other guys be on parole for a year and never see their P.O... just have to call in to a 1-800 number twice a month... So I think it really just depends on the individual.... I know it can make a difference about how big of a caseload they have to carry.... And definitely, if a person gives a P.O. a hard time, the P.O. is likely to give THEM a harder time... so do all you can to make that person's job easy... :)

I have had state probation officers and the majority of them were less than fair. I have had a couple that actually got up in my face and told me point-blank that they were going to get me.. That I was not as clean as I acted.. Blah Blah..

Now.. I just started my experience with the Feds but I was almost shocked at the way they treated me. Not only were they respectful but they approved my move prior to even being assigned a probation officer. I thought I would not be able to move where I wanted for at least a month. They made it virtually pain-less.
We'll see how it goes in the long haul but I have a good feeling about it, and I have heard plenty of good things from others that entered federal probation before myself.

Keeping my fingers crossed...
David

federal probation...Fed, you say they approved your move. What do you mean. When I get out I live somewhere, they have to approve where I live? I won't be living with anyone other then my child...paint a picture for me...what will it be like
kali

My experience with both clients and friends i have known with po's is much like JDs W described. It depends so much on the individual po, and the luck of the draw as to who you are assigned to. I also agree that the tendency is if you make their job easy for them, they will make life a little easier for you

Sherri

My boyfriend's state PO was great. He did everything he could to help Billy. He liked Billy a lot and tried to give him "fatherly" advice.

Now that Billy is assigned a federal PO, we don't know whether he will be as nice. Billy still has 3 years in prison so it'll be a while before we'll actually know how this guy is. I had talked to this PO once and he sounded decent like Billy's state PO.

Who knows? 3 years from now this federal PO may not be around. Like the posts above, it just depends on the person and case load.