The parole officer is CSC's key link with supervised offenders in the community and is crucial to managing offender risk. The job demands diverse professional skills, sound professional judgement and strong personal commitment. Parole officers must be flexible, enforcing strict controls, in some cases, and acting as counsellors in others, depending on the needs of each offender. They must be aware of threats to their own safety and take proper precautions, but not be immobilised by these concerns.

Parole work is based on a professional relationship with each offender and on a study of the risk factors that contribute to the individual's criminal behaviour. The parole officer ensures that the offender follows his or her Correctional Plan by visiting with:

• the offender, with or without warning;
• family, police, and employers; and
• persons who may be assisting the offender in a program.

If the offender breaches parole conditions or seems likely to do so, the parole officer can take disciplinary measures, which include sending the offender back to jail.

Parole officers are guided in their work by rules and standards. As part of the routine, parole officers write reports on the progress of each offender and discuss cases that require additional attention with their supervisors. Officers work together with many community agencies to help secure stable housing, employment, income and positive personal contacts. Some officers also deliver group programs aimed at helping offenders cope with daily life, substance abuse or a tendency to commit sexual offences.