Post-conviction supervision occurs after offenders have been tried and found guilty or plead guilty and after they've been released from prison. Probation officers work with offenders in post-conviction supervision to ensure they follow the conditions of their release issued by the court and obey laws.

The court will sentence a defendant to probation or to a term of incarceration followed by a term of supervised release. Probation is a court ordered sentence issued as an alternative to jail or prison. Individuals under supervision (probation or supervised release) are assigned to a probation officer who is responsible for monitoring offenders and ensuring they comply with the conditions ordered by the court and obey laws.

Supervision in the federal system is:

• A core responsibility of U.S. probation and pretrial services officers, along with investigation.
• A way to monitor the activities and behavior of people released to the community by the federal courts or paroling authorities.
• An opportunity to help offenders reintegrate into the community.
• In the case of probation, a punishment that is less severe than imprisonment, but still holds people accountable for breaking the law.
• An alternative to jail or prison that costs less than incarceration and gives people charged with or convicted of federal crimes the opportunity to live with their families, hold jobs, and be productive members of society.

Conditions of Supervised Release

At the start of an offender’s supervision, a probation officer will fully explain to an offender the conditions of his or her release. These conditions include the mandatory conditions of release which the court imposes on all offenders, and may include discretionary conditions which the court imposes to provide probation officers with the authority to address risk related issues specific to a particular offender. Discretionary conditions may include, among other things, home detention, substance abuse testing or treatment, mental health treatment, and the disclosure of financial information.  For standard conditions, please see Pre-2016 Standard Conditions of Supervision and Post-2016 Standard Conditions of Supervision for more information.  This does not include special conditions the court may impose.

Process of Supervision

The process of supervising an offender begins with a probation officer evaluating the offender through an interview and risk assessment tool, which allows the officer to identify factors that must be taken into account in developing the offender’s individualized supervision plan. From the start and throughout supervision, the officer will assess and reassess the potential risk that an offender poses to another person or the community, and address the offender's other needs. Continued assessments allow the probation officer to adjust his or her personal contact and interventions with the offender accordingly. The supervision plan developed by the officer will address any obstacles that may impede an offender’s ability or desire to complete supervision successfully and will provide for services, such as substance abuse or mental health treatment that the offender may require.

For more information, please visit U.S. Courts "What is Supervision?".

Violation of Supervision

If an individual violates the terms or conditions of supervision, the sentencing judge may modify the terms of supervision or revoke the term of supervision and impose an additional term of incarceration.  Upon completion of the term confinement, the individual may still be subject to another term of supervision (if imposed by the Court).