Pre-Sentence Investigation Writer

State of Montana • Billings, MT

16d • Onsite

About The Position

The Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. The Public Safety Division operates Montana’s prisons safely and securely and provides supervision and support for offenders in the community through its Probation and Parole Bureau. The Pre-Sentence Investigation Writer position, guided by the Department of Corrections (DOC) mission, completes pre-sentence investigations and risk assessments to make recommendations to address the risks and needs of various offenders.

Requirements

• Associate degree in criminology, human behavior and social work or related fields AND two years law enforcement or public safety experience.
• Must be able to type 40 wpm.

Nice To Haves

• Some higher education in criminology, human behavior and social work and related fields and two years’ experience in law enforcement or public safety preferred; OR a combination of higher education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Conducts pre-sentence investigations, which includes risk and needs assessments, at the order of the district court judges.
• Conducts risk and needs assessments through the use of motivational interviewing and various instruments with offenders, making recommendations to address their risks and needs.
• Interviews the offender, victims, witnesses, and other individuals with relevant information pertaining to the offender or the crime, and reduces this information to writing for the Pre-Sentence Investigation Report.
• Develops reports and determines appropriate sentencing and placement recommendations using specialized investigative and communicative skills, cooperation with other criminal justice agencies, and a thorough knowledge of laws, sentencing rules, and regulations pertaining to probation, parole, incarceration, rehabilitation, and treatment programs.
• Investigates the personal and criminal history of the offender through document searches and interviews with others.
• Gathers information and composes Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports (PSI) & Reports of Violation (ROV) for officer review.
• Distributes approved reports, ensures all documents are accurate and in the correct format, signed, ensuring the Division’s policies are understood and followed, in compliance with court-ordered conditions, and identifies public safety risks for the state.
• Attends court on “Law & Motion” day, in the absence of the probation & parole officer, to obtain court dates and information for pre-sentence investigation and reports of violation.
• Testifies through direct and cross-examination with prosecutors and defense counsel in court to the accuracy and authenticity of the information contained within the report.
• Tracks offender reporting schedules, meeting supervision standards, ensuring pre-sentence investigation reports and deadlines are met, and documenting offender chronos in OMIS.
• Assists in determining if an offender is eligible for Interstate Compact Supervision based on community safety, compact criteria, treatment plan, residence, and receiving states' individual regulations.
• Obtains and calculates restitution, court costs, and supervision fees for monthly reports and outstanding balances by calling and requesting logs from county attorneys and clerks of court; tracking financial obligations and corresponding with offenders to alert them to their financial situation; gathers information relevant to changes in court schedules.
• Enters offender information into OMIS /OMP and obtains OMIS DOC numbers for offenders.
• Collects and compiles statistical data; creates reports and provides information to the appropriate personnel and agencies.
• Assists PPO with obtaining and filing documentation necessary to complete the PSI and ROV reports.
• Gathers police record checks by calling law enforcement agencies or authorized persons within the department and requesting “rap” sheets or Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN) criminal records on offenders.
• Receives information on DOC commits from officers and assists officers in ensuring that all required documentation is assembled and forwarded to the records department at the Montana State Prison.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Generous State of Montana Benefits
• May qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree