Core Knowledge
Standard Operating Procedures
Do's and Don'ts
"What would you do?"
Wild Card
Business Practices
100

What is the difference between Probation and Parole? 

Probation: An individual is sentenced to probation as an alternative to incarceration or in conjunction with incarceration due to a period of suspension / supervised the same in the district; however, if early release or violation - this is referred to the court. 

Parole: Release from incarceration before serving the full sentence as a result of good behavior or other mitigating factors / the Parole Board grants Parole and so, an individual is not sentenced to Parole. Early Release and/or violations would be referred back to the Parole Board. 

100

What are the contact requirements for high level supervision? 

Monthly - personal contact, community contact

Quarterly - home verification, employment

100

You should always save over the forms on the Shared Drive (True/False)

False!! 

100

Walk us through the steps of citing Condition #11, Absconding. 

Home contact, run VCIN/NCIC and check VineLink for possible incarceration, call emergency contact, call employer, call local hospitals/jails

100

When is the COMPAS assessment due? And when do you conduct Supervision level requests thereafter? 

COMPAS is due within 45 days of the supervision start date. 

For high level, at a minimum, every 6 months or upon significant change. 

For medium level, at a minimum, every 12 months or upon significant change. 

100

What is an example of Servanthood? 

Support and encourage others

200

What is Condition #3? 

I will maintain regular employment and notify my probation and parole officer promptly of any changes to my employment. 

200

What are examples of community contacts? 

Treatment provider - email/phone/in person

Family/friend seen at home/office

Next door neighbor

Verification of court costs/restitution through Court

200

Your lunch break should begin between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (True/False)

False. 

Lunch breaks should begin between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. so everyone returns from their lunch break no later than 3:00 p.m.

200
You go to a probationer's residence. He is not home; however, you meet with his Mother who verifies his residence. What contact type(s) do you carry over? 
Contact Types: 

Home Contact, Personal Community Contact 

200

What are three incentives? 

Level reduction, permitting Shadowview visit instead of office visit, visiting home versus office visit, acknowledge achievements via certificate or "Wall of Fame"

200

Which EPICS Skills are advanced skills? 

Cognitive Model, Behavioral Analysis Explanation, and Behavioral Analysis Review

300

What is the Sentencing Revocation Report?

The SRR is the first two pages of the Probation Violation guidelines which includes the cover page of the guidelines and the Judge's decision page. 
300

When is the initial Case plan due? 

60 days from the start of supervision 

300

When is a Cover Letter not needed when sending out documents to another district? 

MVRs being submitted to other districts

300

What do you do after you and your supervisor issue a PB-15? 

Prepare MVR within 3 days

300

When do you stop supervising a probationer? 

1. MED reached 

2. Early Release approved for all obligations 

3. Violation or any court order that removes probationer from supervision or temporarily discontinues supervision 

300

When would you implement Effective Use of Authority? 

When addressing non-compliance, to provide two choices; i.e. enter into in-patient treatment or MVR will be submitted

400

What is the difference between Static v. Dynamic Factors on the Bar Chart of the COMPAS results? 

Static factors never change; i.e., current violence, history of violence, history of non-compliance, legal system involvement

Dynamic factors change; i.e., residential stability, substance use, peers, thinking and attitudes, cognitive behavioral, personality, vocation/education, anger, etc. 

400

What is the timeframe for Sentencing Guidelines to the court? 

Per statute - PV Guidelines-no more than 30 days and no less than 5 days prior to hearing date

400

When is it okay to have your door closed? 

Training, virtual meeting, Shadowview, personal call, or to focus on an urgent task (as long as this is not taken advantage of)

400

A friend of a probationer calls you to advise that your probationer is using Heroin. They deny using and refuse a drug test. What do you do? 

Conference case with supervisor

400

How do you calculate the amount of revocable time on the Probation Violation Guidelines? 

This is the sum of all suspended time for any offense that the Court could revoke in the Current Probation Violation Event hearing. 

400

When selecting needs for the case plan, what criminogenic needs do you carry over? 

Probable and highly probable dynamic needs

500

What are examples of when an Incident Report is needed? 

Vehicular accident, loss of equipment/badge/keys, serious newsworthy events, absconding with current supervision being for a violent offense, use of Narcan/OC Spray

500

When is DNA not required? 

First Offender Status, Under Advisement, and certain misdemeanor convictions 

500

What measures are taken to ensure safety while working in the field?  

Sharing location, vests and OC spray, going in pairs, providing copy of field itinerary, providing expected return time on in/out board along with contact number

500

During an appointment, a probationer is having suicidal thoughts. What do you do? 

1. Ask - "do you have a plan?", "do you have means to execute your plan?" + always stay calm 

2. Contact DMHC + Supervisor 

500

Name 4 strengths identified in the WRNA. 

Relationship Stability, Parental Involvement, Self Efficacy, Support from Family of Origin

500

What are the Five Pillars? 


Humility, Passion, Unity, Servanthood, Thankfulness 

600

How do you verify that a Capias is active? 

Warrant query through VCIN/NCIC

600

When is a Presentence Report due to the Circuit Court, Defense Attorney, and Commonwealth Attorney?

Per statute - at least 5 days prior to Sentencing Date
600

You just finished your first draft of a Major Violation Report, Sentencing Revocation Report, and PV Guidelines. Prior to submitting to your supervisor, what do you do? 

1. Review 

2. Make corrections

3. Review again! / make corrections, if needed 

4. Enter log note and provide to your supervisor 

600

When inputting criminal records for PSR's, which date should be used for infractions/criminal traffic matters, and which date should be used for misdemeanor/felony matters? Hint: Offense date or Arrest date. 

Offense date for infractions/criminal traffic matters

Arrest date for misdemeanor/felony matters

600

What policies drive case management for the VADOC? 

920.1, Community Case Opening, Supervision, and Transfer  

920.4, Interstate Transfer of Supervision 

920.5, Termination of Supervision 

920.6, Violation of Supervision Conditions

600

What components are tracked in the scorecard to ensure that the district and the DOC as a whole is consistently adhering to our policies and procedures? 

COMPAS compliance, Case Plan compliance, needs met (employment and health insurance)

700

When do you only submit the Sentencing Revocation Report? 

Post-release and CCAP violation; misdemeanor violations, good behavior violations, procedural violations

700

How often should probationers under medium level supervision report? 

Contacts are case plan driven - based on task timeframes. NOT EVERY 3 MONTHS AS A STANDARD

700

True or False: Speakerphone conversations are OK? 

FALSE!

700

An announcement has been made that Officer Halstead needs to call Office 34. What would you do?  

Cease movement - stay in office, do not gather in the hallway, do not move probationers in/out of the office

700

What are the timeframes for Preliminary Hearing procedures? 

Notice of Preliminary Hearing to be served at least 3 days prior to the Preliminary Hearing date. Preliminary Hearing date to be scheduled for no more than 14 days after becoming aware of arrest.

700

What are examples of inappropriate office attire? 

Slides, hoodies, leggings unless garment worn over can be worn without leggings, revealing shirts -see through and cleavage showing, t-shirts, frayed/distressed/acid wash jeans, sweat suits, crop tops - midriff showing, short dresses, etc. If you are unsure if clothing is appropriate then it probably is not. 

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