Georgia Department of Corrections
Brian Owens, Commissioner
Director of Public Affairs
Joan Heath
Contact: Office of Public Affairs (478) 992-5248
STATE OF GEORGIA
For Immediate Release
PROBATIONER EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS
Talking Points
1. Are probationers required to work?
Yes, a general condition of probation requires a probationer to work faithfully at suitable employment.
2. What is the definition of a probationer:
Probationers are low risk, non-violent offenders who are given an alternative sentence to imprisonment.
3. What is the screening process to select probationers to be sent to the farms for possible employment?
The Chief Probation Officer along with caseload officers will review all unemployed probationers for type of offense and compliance with conditions of probation to ensure only low risk, non-violent offenders are selected. Protection of the public will always come first.
4. Will probationers be forced to work on the farms if they are unemployed and are required to work?
No, they are not forced. The decision to take advantage of this employment opportunity is the probationers.
5. How will probationers receive compensation?
Probationers will be paid by private farmers and not by state funds. Probationers will receive a minimum wage of $7.25 and could potentially receive more based on their productivity.
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