The Facts of Probation and Parole Drug Testing



When people are convicted of a crime, they may be placed on probation or sent to prison depending on the severity of their crime. Those who have been in prison are often released on parole. Depending on the person's situation, they are often required to meet several requirements to avoid going back to jail. Both probation and parole officers work with offenders to ensure that they do not commit any more crimes and that they stay drug free.

Probation officers, who may also be referred to as community supervision officers, monitor those who have been placed on probation. They meet with these individuals regularly and also test these individuals for drugs on a regular basis. Similar to probation officers, parole officers must monitor those individuals who are on parole. They ensure that offenders meet the requirements of their parole and monitor them for drug use through .

Both probation and parole officers are required to supervise offenders through personal contact on a regular basis. They often meet with them in their offices as well as their homes. They may meet with them at their place of employment as well as therapy. Constant contact assists them in ensuring that offenders do not violate the terms of their parole or probation.

Both probation and parole officers tend to specialize in either juveniles or adults. Both have drug testing guidelines that must be followed. The drug testing may also be subject to certain rules based on the offense of the individual as well. A drug testing program is put in place for both probation and parole agencies. These are typically determined and written by the parent government agency in control of the office.

Drug tests are typically ordered by the court to be a condition of the parole or probation. Every agency is required to use specific criteria when selecting to have a juvenile or adult drug tested. Many will be required to drug test on a regular pattern, while they may also request a drug test depending on their own personal instinct. Many agencies also provide juveniles with information to ensure that they fully understand the process as well as the consequences if they choose to refuse the drug test or if they have a positive test result.

Those who test positive at a probation or parole drug test must be alerted of the results within 72 hours. In many instances, results for the drug test are available almost immediately. However, confrontation for the positive result should be no later than 7 days. Should an offender choose to admit their drug use, then it is the up to the probation and parole officer to determine the next steps to take.