Nassau County Probation Department workers pose in front of a county courthouse. From left, Probation Officers Kasia Gleason, Ally Bufalo and Angela Orr, Senior Probation Officers Jill Schatzle and Marie Monrose.
Editor’s note: The Work Force’s Wendi Bowie met with Nassau County Probation Officer II Jill Schatzle and Supervision II Probation Officer Angela Orr to discuss their work at the Nassau County Probation Department and their work’s impact on the community.
Wendi Bowie (WB): What kind of work do you do at the Probation Department?
Jill Schatzle (JS): I work in the electronic monitoring unit. When defendants are released and given an electronic monitoring bracelet, the defendant reports to us through the remainder of the case. We supervise defendants while they’re in the community and ensure they’re following requirements given by the court.
Angela Orr (AO): We supervise defendants who have been convicted and sentenced to community supervision. Our area allows a probationer to live within the community, provided that they abide by certain provisions of probation. In some cases, it’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation, mental health needs, ensuring the defendant is employed.
Basically, we help to keep them on a straight and narrow road, so they will be rehabilitated back into the community. We are required to have face-to-face time with the defendants and conduct random, unannounced home visits. The purpose of the visits is to make sure the defendant is a resident of Nassau County and that they aren’t doing anything illegal in the home. Those visits also give us a chance to become familiar with the defendant’s family and home environment.
WB: What kind of insight does being in offenders’ home provide you?
AO: People often present one way, but when you go into their home, there is a more clear story of what is going on in their lives. For instance, if I walk into someone’s home and it’s in disarray, that person could have depression or some other underlying issue. Meeting the probationer’s family can also provide insight into the kind of support system the probationer has.
WB: How does finding out that information help you successfully do your job?
AO: I recently went into someone’s home and found a prescription drug that he was not assigned. At that point, the person is taken into custody, we contact the local police and arrange for a referral for treatment.
WB: So, you never know what you’re going to walk into?
AO: Correct. Recently, we walked in a house where the person was being monitored for possession of a weapon and saw two guns. That turned into an arrest and we were able to recover four guns.
WB: What kind of qualifications do you need?
AO: We have to qualify once a year to handle a firearm and a taser to ensure probation officers know how to properly handle the equipment.
JS: We’re also required to have 21 hours of training per year.
WB: Why did you decide on a career in probation?
AO: During my junior year of high school, I attended career day. There was a probation officer there who talked about the job. I became interested and decided to become a probation officer.
JS: I worked at Social Services during college, and I felt this was a natural step up from that. I like this end of law enforcement because you get to help people work toward a greater goal.
WB: What is the best part of your job?
JS: I meet so many different people from all parts of the world that I don’t think I would ever meet otherwise.
AO: When you’re able to see some of the probationers get married, have children or start a career. There’s also a small number of people that will call us to say thank you for helping them and never giving up on them.
WB: What is the most challenging part of your job?
JS: It’s very difficult to see the homeless population, who are sometimes resistant to getting help due to mental illness. We see mental illness issues in the courthouse every day. It’s hard to see people who have nothing.
AO: The homeless population is difficult to see, and individuals struggling with substance abuse. Because of the work we do, we often find out what has happened in the probationer’s life to lead them on the path that they’re on. We always try to remind people of their worth and that they should improve their lives for their families and themselves.
WB: Why do you continue doing this work?
AO: Because we’re helping the individuals and the community.
JS: People don’t realize that [the Probation Department]is here and helping the way that we are.
