Adult Probation
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Contacting / Meeting with My Probation Officer
- I was just released from prison, what is the first thing I should do?
- What are the rules for reporting to my Probation Officer?
- What should I bring to my appointment with my Probation Officer?
- What should I not bring to my appointment with my Probation Officer?
Receiving Services While on Probation
- Why is it important that I participate in treatment?
- Why do I have to sign a release of information?
- Do I have to pay for my treatment services?
- How can I get information about services in the community?
Probation Regulations / Restrictions
- What do I do if I am arrested?
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Can I go out of state?
- Can I carry a firearm?
- Do I have to give a DNA sample?
- Who do I pay my court fines and fees to?
- Can I vote?
Special Conditions of Probation
- What if I have a "No Contact" order?
- Where do I send my restitution payments to?
Violation of Probation
- What is Violation of Probation?
Rights While on Probation
- What are my rights as a probationer?
- What do I do if I feel my rights have been violated?
Certificates of Employability
- What is a Certificate of Employability?
- Are there protections against Employment Discrimination based on Criminal Conviction?
- Who is eliglible for a Certificate of Employability?
- What effect does a Certificate of Employability have on my status?
- How do I submit an application for a Certificate of Employability?
- Where can I get more information about Certificates of Employability
Tips for Success
Contacting / Meeting with My Probation Officer
1. I was just released from prison, what is the first thing I should do?
Your probation begins the day you are released from prison and you
are expected to immediately contact Adult Probation.
2. What are the rules for reporting to my Probation Officer?
You must report on the day and time your Probation Officer tells you to.
If you have an emergency or illness that prevents you from keeping your
appointment, call and speak directly to your Probation Officer or Office
Supervisor and get a new appointment.
3. What should I bring to my appointment with my Probation Officer?
- Photo ID (Driver License or State ID card).
- Proof of where you live (utility bill, business mail, etc.).
- Proof of employment (pay stub, note from employer).
- Proof of changes, if any, to your name, address, phone, etc.
- Proof of any completed treatment, community service, restitution and charity contributions.
4. What should I not bring to my appointment with my Probation Officer?
You will pass through a metal detector and be searched, so you should not bring the following:
- Weapons or anything that can be used as a weapon.
- Recording devices.
- Camera cell phones (All regular cell phones must be turned off).
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Receiving Services While on Probation
5. Why is it important that I participate in treatment?
Your Probation Officer may refer you to a treatment program. There are many
different types of treatment. These programs will help you improve your
situation — they are not a punishment. However, failure to cooperate with
treatment may result in a violation of probation.
You may not want to go to treatment. This is normal.
Programs require your time and effort. The most important first step for you
is to attend. Once there, if you approach treatment as an opportunity, you
will get the most out of it — give yourself the best chance for
success.
6. Why do I have to sign a release of information?
It is necessary for you to sign the release of information so that
your Probation Officer can find out if you attended and completed the
program.
7. Do I have to pay for my treatment services?
You may have to pay for your treatment. However, you may be
eligible for services through private or state funding, free services or
services that are offered at a reduced cost.
8. How can I get information about services in the community?
You can call INFOLINE at 2-1-1. INFOLINE is a way you can get help
by telephone or on the internet at www.infoline.org. The hearing impaired
can also reach the INFOLINE by TDD.
INFOLINE can provide you with information on the
following: housing, financial needs, health insurance, substance abuse and
mental health treatment, social services, benefits, suicide prevention, and
help in a crisis. The caseworkers can speak different languages.
INFOLINE is toll-free from anywhere in Connecticut and available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
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Probation Regulations / Restrictions
9. What do I do if I am arrested?
If you are arrested, charged with any offense, or have any police
contact, contact your Probation Officer, no later than 48 hours of it
happening. You may do this in person or by telephone.
10. Can I go out of state?
You may not travel or move out of state without permission from
your Probation Officer.
11. Can I carry a firearm?
No probationer may possess any firearms if on probation for a
felony or a misdemeanor crime of illegal possession of drugs, domestic
violence involving the use or threatened use of physical force or convicted
for having a deadly weapon.
Probationers convicted of certain misdemeanors, as listed in your standard
Conditions of Probation, may not possess any firearms.
If you are subject to a Protective and/or Restraining
Order or other court orders not to possess any weapons, you are expected not
to own, possess or purchase any weapons or items that could be used as a
weapon.
12. Do I have to give a DNA sample?
If you are notified by letter to give a DNA sample,
follow all of the instructions in the letter about who to contact for an
appointment and where to go for the appointment. You will need to bring two
forms of identification to the appointment. Your refusal to give a DNA
sample is a Class D Felony and can be a violation of your probation.
13. Who do I pay my court fines and fees to?
You will make your court payments directly to the Clerk’s Office at the court.
14. Can I vote?
Yes, but first you must be registered in the town where you live
and if you were locked up you may have to restore your voting rights. If you
have any questions, contact the Connecticut Secretary of State Elections
Office: (860) 509-6100, Toll Free (800) 540-3764, TDD (860) 509-6191.
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Special Conditions of Probation
15. What if I have a “No Contact” order?
You must not have or attempt to have any contact with the person or
place. If that person tries to contact you, do not agree to make contact.
Tell your Probation Officer immediately.
16. Where do I send my restitution payments to?
You will be given a form with instructions about your restitution
and what is required. Payments must be in the form of a bank check or money
order and mailed to CSSD Restitution Unit, 936 Silas Deane Hwy.,
Wethersfield, CT 06109. You must include your printed name, date of birth,
and social security number with your payment.
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Violation of Probation
17. What is Violation of Probation?
When you fail to follow the conditions of your probation it is a violation of probation.
If you fail to follow any of your conditions or you get arrested, your Probation Officer may return your case to court.
There will be a court hearing and if a violation is proved, you may be sentenced to jail.
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Rights While on Probation
18. What are my rights as a probationer?
You have the right to be treated in a respectful and professional
manner that is free of any form of harassment, bias or discrimination
because of your race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, place of
birth, disability and political views.
19. What do I do if I feel my rights have been violated?
First, talk to your Officer and try to resolve your problems with
your Officer.
If you feel that you can’t resolve your problems with your Probation Officer, ask to speak to your officer’s supervisor.
If you still cannot resolve the problem you can call the Human Resource
Manager to make an oral complaint or you can request a grievance form from
the office supervisor and send it to the CSSD Manager of Human Resources,
936 Silas Deane Hwy., 3rd Floor, Wethersfield, CT 06109, 1-866-627-1583.
Your probation will not be negatively affected just because you filed a complaint.
Filing a complaint does not relieve you from your responsibilities to the court.
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Tips for Success
- Review and understand all of your conditions of probation.
- Think before you act.
- Slow yourself down and think a few steps ahead.
- Surround yourself with law abiding people who really want to see you do well, such as friends, family, co-workers, and formal support groups.
- Take ownership of your probation by becoming an active participant.
- Be open to the guidance from your Probation Officer.
- The responsibility for making changes in your life is yours.