Supervision occurs after defendants have pled guilty or have been tried and found guilty, and after they have been released from incarceration.
The Court will sentence a defendant to probation or to a term of incarceration followed by a term of supervised release. Probation is a Court-ordered sentence issued as an alternative to jail or prison. Individuals under supervision (probation or supervised release) are assigned to a probation officer who is responsible for monitoring them and ensuring they comply with the conditions ordered by the Court.
Supervision in the federal system is:
- A core responsibility of U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officers, along with investigation.
- A way to monitor the activities and behavior of people released to the community by the federal courts or paroling authorities.
- An opportunity to help people under supervision reintegrate into the community.
- In the case of probation, a punishment that is less severe than imprisonment, but still holds people accountable for breaking the law.
- An alternative to jail or prison that costs less than incarceration and gives people charged with or convicted of federal crimes the opportunity to live with their families, hold jobs, and be productive members of society.
Conditions of Supervised Release
At the start of supervision, a probation officer will fully explain to the person under supervision the conditions of his or her release. These conditions include the mandatory conditions of release which the Court imposes on all persons under supervision, and may include discretionary conditions which the Court imposes. Discretionary conditions may include risk-related issues specific to a particular person, home detention, substance abuse testing or treatment, mental health treatment, and the disclosure of financial information.
Process of Supervision
The process of supervising an individual begins with a probation officer evaluating the person under supervision during an interview and with a risk-assessment tool, which allows the officer to identify factors that must be taken into account in developing an individualized supervision plan. From the start, and throughout supervision, the officer will assess and reassess the potential risk a person under supervision poses to another person or the community, and addresses other needs. Continued assessments allow the probation officer to adjust his or her personal contact and interventions with the person under supervision accordingly. The supervision plan developed by the officer will address any obstacles that may impede an inividual's ability or desire to complete supervision successfully and will provide for services, such as substance abuse or mental health treatment, that may be required.