Poznan Criminal Probation Unit

Friday May 22nd. Once we left Judge Hejduk's office we visited a criminal probation unit in Poznan. We found out that each probation office is an extension of the Poznan District Court. So... The officer could meet with a client in one room of the office building, then escort the client to the next room for a hearing with a Judge. The Manager of this unit, Anna Wysocka and her staff shared casefile composition and their approach to offender supervision. The Professional Probation Officer's caseload in this unit runs between 130 to 150 offender. On average, each officer conducts 15-20 environmental interviews. An environmental interview seems to be an LSI interview conducted in the home of the offender. Professional PO's must supervise 30-35 cases directly while volunteer Probation Officers (Volunteer Officers are assigned to the Professional Probation Officers)handle much of the other face to face contacts for the Professional Probation Officer's caseload. Most face to face contacts during the course of each supervision take place in the home of the offender. Officers usually conduct these visits alone. Rarely do they fear for their safety.

Once the Professional Probation Officer receives the files, that officer has seven days to conduct an environmental visit with the offender. The conditions of supervision in Poznan are similar to ours. We had an indepth discussion about fines and restitution. Most of the focus was in getting the three of us to realize that they maintain close to a 100% collection rate. If the offender has stolen more than they can pay before expiration of probation, they may receive an extension. If it is not paid then, the offender WILL go to Prison. Same rules apply to child support. This was very different.

Re-entry thought of the day: Parolees are eligible for financial assistance from the country of Poland. Assistance comes in the form of vouchers for food, transportation, housing. Additionally, offender families are eligible for financial assistance while an offender is incarcerated if the incarcerated person was the primary breadwinner.

While in prison, Polish inmates can be granted leave from prison (up to six months) under the following conditions:

1. If he is the main breadwinner of the family.
2. If he is not eligible for social services.
3. If he has older family members that require care.
4. If he has ill family members that require care.
5. If the Judge orders the offender to work in order to provide the family financial assistance.