Understanding Probation Officer Assignments at Marion County

Marion County organizes probation caseloads by geography and specialization, not one big general pool. A person might be assigned to an officer on a specific team like Limited Supervision, or to a specialized unit (Domestic Violence Unit or Sex Offender Unit, for example). You'll sometimes see these unit or assignment labels right on the public caseload report next to the person's name and officer.

The Marion County caseload roster makes it easy to identify who is assigned to whom. It lists each client's name, SID, and assigned probation officer (PO) name. You may also see an assignment label with the entry. These labels look like "LIMITED SUPERVISION," "IMMIGRATION IMMI," or "VACANT GENERAL" (that last one means the slot isn't currently tied to a specific officer on the roster).

Some cases get grouped into specialized teams. This matches supervision to the person's needs and court requirements. Marion County's specialized teams include: Sex Offender Unit, Gender Responsive Unit, Special Services Unit, Transitional Services, Domestic Violence Unit, Limited Supervision Unit, and Treatment Courts. If you see one of these unit names tied to an assignment, supervision is being handled through that program rather than a general caseload.

• ✓ Sex Offender Unit: Supervision organized around sex-offense-related cases and conditions that commonly come with those cases.
• ✓ Gender Responsive Unit: Supervision structured to better fit gender-responsive needs and programming.
• ✓ Special Services Unit: A team designation used for cases that require specialized services or a different supervision approach.
• ✓ Transitional Services: Focused on transitions, often when someone is moving between settings or stabilizing in the community.
• ✓ Domestic Violence Unit: Supervision organized around domestic-violence-related cases and court expectations.
• ✓ Limited Supervision Unit: A lower-intensity supervision track compared to more active supervision units.
• ✓ Treatment Courts: Supervision connected to treatment court requirements, where treatment participation and court review tend to be central.

Marion County probation uses several evidence-based practices: the EPICS supervision model, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral interventions, and risk and needs assessments. In plain terms, supervision is structured and skill-focused, not just rule-checking. An officer might ask questions aimed at problem-solving, or spend time on thinking patterns and decision-making. These are common elements in cognitive behavioral interventions and motivational interviewing.

Marion County’s Community Corrections biennial plan reports a 50:1 client-to-parole/probation-deputy caseload average for 2021–2023.

A caseload that size affects how quickly calls get returned and how supervision time is prioritized. Higher-risk or higher-need cases take more staff time, while Limited Supervision cases may have fewer touchpoints. If you need to coordinate information or get an urgent question answered, be clear and organized: state who you are, the SID, and why you're reaching out. This helps an officer respond efficiently.

1. Check the Marion County caseload roster - Look up the client by name, then note the assigned PO name and any unit/assignment label shown on the same line.
2. Write down the SID - The roster includes a SID for each client. Having the SID handy helps confirm you are discussing the correct person when you contact the office.

Can't reach the assigned PO? Contact Community Corrections leadership for help getting routed to the right place. The Community Corrections Director/Manager is Mike Hartford. His office contact information: 3610 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, OR 97317, phone (503) 540-8084, fax (503) 540-8055, email mhartford@co.marion.or.us.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Ask which unit is handling the case (for example, Domestic Violence Unit, Treatment Courts, or Limited Supervision Unit), since unit structure is part of how Marion County organizes caseloads.
• ✓ If the assignment reflects a specialized unit (like Sex Offender Unit or Treatment Courts), expect supervision to align with that specialization and any program or court-driven requirements that come with it.
• ✓ Listen for an EPICS-style approach in meetings and calls, such as structured goal-setting, coaching questions, and discussion of risk and needs, since Marion County lists EPICS, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral interventions, and risk/needs assessments as part of its approach.
• ✓ If you are supporting someone through supervision, help them keep notes from appointments (dates, expectations, next steps). Structured models work best when follow-through is documented and easy to track.

Before making calls or sending messages, confirm the probation officer name and client SID on the public caseload roster. Pay attention to any unit label listed with the entry. If the roster shows a unit/assignment label (including "VACANT GENERAL"), that detail helps you explain the situation when you reach out. For help with contact or routing, Community Corrections leadership contact information is in the county's biennial plan.