Background of the Volunteer Probation Officer Program

The Department of Probation holds the primary mission of rehabilitating offenders and reintegrating them into society. Department of Probation initiated the Volunteer Probation Officer Program in 1986. The program was founded based on the concept that society should play an active role in crime prevention, in addition to the formal justice system. An effective approach to crime prevention and resolution includes educating the public on how to protect themselves from criminal threats and encouraging community participation in the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders within their own communities. Subsequently, the enactment of the Royal Decree on the Transfer of Administrative Affairs and Powers of Government Agencies under the Act on the Reorganization of Ministries, Bureaus, and Departments B.E. 2545 (2002), together with the enforcement of the Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Act B.E. 2545 (2002), expanded the responsibilities of the Department of Probation under the Ministry of Justice. In response to government and ministerial policies emphasizing public and community participation, the "Regulation of the Ministry of Justice on Probation Volunteers B.E. 2547 (2004)" was issued to provide a clear framework and direction for volunteer probation officer operations. Volunteer probation officers assist probation officers in rehabilitating offenders by providing guidance, advice, and warnings to ensure compliance with court-imposed conditions. They also conduct visits, monitor the behavior of probationers, and follow up with individuals who have completed drug rehabilitation under the provisions of the Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Act B.E. 2545 (2002).
Currently, the roles and responsibilities of volunteer probation officers are clearly defined under the Probation Act B.E. 2559 (2016), Ministry of Justice Regulations on Roles and Procedures of Volunteer Probation Officers and Roles of People Sector, B.E. 2560 (2017), as well as the Regulation of the Probation Committee on the Appointment and Termination of Volunteer Probation Officers B.E. 2561 (2018), which outlines the qualifications, criteria, and procedures for appointment and removal. These regulations aim to ensure efficient, transparent, and effective operations that contribute meaningfully to public safety and community well-being.