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Field Operations Administration (FOA)
The Field Operations Administration (FOA) is responsible for parole and felony probation supervision as well as other methods of specialized supervision. FOA’s parole and probation offices are located in 10 regions throughout the state.
Parole:
Individuals who have served time in prison may be placed on parole by a vote of the Parole Board once they have completed the minimum sentence of the court and are determined to not pose a threat to the community.
Once granted parole, a person is supervised by an agent for a period of one to four years.
Before the release from prison, the Department conducts a pre-parole investigation, including approval of their home placement. The Department also notifies registered crime victims, the Prosecutor, and law enforcement before the release.
Parole agents serve as a resource to increase the parolees’ successful reintegration into the community. During the parole period, the agent will work with the parolee to coordinate the required services, such as mental health treatment, substance use counseling, housing, and employment. The agent also ensures the parolee follows all supervision guidelines that have been established by the Parole Board establishes.
Probation:
Individuals convicted of felonies or certain high-court misdemeanors can be sentenced to probation under the supervision of the MDOC.
MDOC probation agents supervise the individual to ensure they comply with the court’s probation order. Unlike parole, conditions of probation are set by the court that retains legal jurisdiction over the person’s status.
Specialized Supervision:
The FOA also employs specialized supervision approaches, including but not limited to electronic monitoring, sex offender-specific caseloads, veteran caseloads, mental health caseloads, coordinating and overseeing offenders who transfer to/from the state of Michigan, etc.