Adult Probation
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Contacting / Meeting with My Probation Officer
  1. I was just released from prison, what is the first thing I should do?
  2. What are the rules for reporting to my Probation Officer?
  3. What should I bring to my appointment with my Probation Officer?
  4. What should I not bring to my appointment with my Probation Officer?
Receiving Services While on Probation
  1. Why is it important that I participate in treatment?
  2. Why do I have to sign a release of information?
  3. Do I have to pay for my treatment services?
  4. How can I get information about services in the community?
Probation Regulations / Restrictions
  1. What do I do if I am arrested?
  2. Can I go out of state?
  3. Can I carry a firearm?
  4. Do I have to give a DNA sample?
  5. Who do I pay my court fines and fees to?
  6. Can I vote?
Special Conditions of Probation
  1. What if I have a "No Contact" order?
  2. How do I make my restitution payments?
  3. How do I make donation payments to the Office of Victim Services or the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund?
  4. How do I make donations to a charity?
Violation of Probation
  1. What is Violation of Probation?
Rights While on Probation
  1. What are my rights as a probationer?
  2. What do I do if I feel my rights have been violated?
Certificates of Employability
  1. What is a Certificate of Employability?
  2. Are there protections against Employment Discrimination based on Criminal Conviction?
  3. Who is eliglible for a Certificate of Employability?
  4. What effect does a Certificate of Employability have on my status?
  5. How do I submit an application for a Certificate of Employability?
  6. Where can I get more information about Certificates of Employability

Tips for Success


Contacting / Meeting with My Probation Officer

1. I was just released from prison, what is the first thing I should do?
Your probation begins on the day you are released from prison, and you need to contact Adult Probation that day either in person or by telephone.

2. What are the rules for reporting to my Probation Officer?
You must report on the day and time your Probation Officer tells you to. If you have an emergency or illness that prevents you from keeping your appointment, call and speak directly to your Probation Officer or a supervisor to get a new appointment.

3. What should I bring to my appointment with my Probation Officer?
Photo ID (driver's license or State ID card).
  • Proof of where you live (utility bill, business mail, etc.).
  • Proof of employment (pay stub, note from employer).
  • Proof of changes, if any, to your name, address, phone, etc.
  • Proof of any completed treatment, community service, restitution and charity contributions.
4. What should I not bring to my appointment with my Probation Officer?
You will pass through a metal detector and be searched, so you should not bring the following:
  • Weapons or anything that can be used as a weapon.
  • Recording devices.
  • Camera cell phones (All regular cell phones must be turned off).
  • Any marijuana (cannabis), even if the amount is legal
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Receiving Services While on Probation

5. Why is it important that I participate in treatment?
 Your Probation Officer may refer you to a treatment program. There are many different types of treatment. These programs will help you improve your situation - they are not a punishment. However, failure to cooperate with treatment may result in a violation of probation.

You may not want to go to treatment. This is normal. Programs require your time and effort. The most important first step for you is to attend. Once there, if you approach treatment as an opportunity, you will get the most out of it - give yourself the best chance for success.

6. Why do I have to sign a release of information?
You need to sign a release of information so that your Probation Officer can find out if you are attending or have completed a program.

7. Do I have to pay for my treatment services?
 If you have private or public (for example, Medicaid) insurance, there may not be any cost for treatment. If you do not have insurance and you are income eligible, you may receive treatment at a reduced fee or for no cost. If you are required to pay for treatment and you cannot afford to do so, tell your Probation Officer.

8. How can I get information about services in the community?
 You can call Infoline 24 hours a day toll-free at 2-1-1, they have staff that speak different languages, or if you are hearing impaired at 7-1-1, or go to their website.

Infoline can provide you with information on housing, financial needs, health insurance, substance abuse and mental health treatment, social services, benefits, suicide prevention, and help in a crisis.

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Probation Regulations / Restrictions

9. What do I do if I am arrested?
If you are arrested or have any contact with police, tell your Probation Officer as soon as possible either in person or by telephone, but no later than the next business day.

10. Can I go out of state?
You cannot travel or move out of state without permission from your Probation Officer.

11. Can I carry a firearm?
You are not allowed to possess a firearm if you are on probation for a felony conviction, certain misdemeanor convictions listed in your Conditions of Probation, or by law for other reasons.

Your Probation Officer will review with you the condition of probation about firearms or dangerous weapons. If you have any questions, ask your Probation Officer.

12. Do I have to give a DNA sample?
If you are notified by letter to give a DNA sample, follow the instructions in the letter about who to contact for an appointment and where to go for the appointment. You will need to bring two forms of identification to the appointment.
If you do not give a DNA sample it is a new crime, (class D felony) and can be a violation of your probation.

13. Who do I pay my court fines and fees to?
You pay any court fines or fees to the Clerk's Office at the court.

14. Can I vote?
 Yes, but first you must be registered in the town where you live and if you were incarcerated you may have to restore your voting rights. If you have any questions, you may go to the Connecticut Secretary of State's voter information website.

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Special Conditions of Probation

15. What if I have a "No Contact" order?
You must not have or attempt to have any contact with the person. If the person tries to contact you, do not agree to have contact and tell your Probation Officer as soon as possible either in person or by telephone, but no later than the next business day.

16. How do I make my restitution payments?
 You must make your payments by bank check, money order, or credit card. Adult Probation Services will not accept any other form of payment, including personal checks or cash.

Bank check or money order payments must be made out to "Court Support Services Division (CSSD)" and mailed directly to:
Restitution Unit
Court Support Services Division
455 Winding Brook Drive, 4th Floor
Glastonbury, CT 06033

Credit card payments can only be made online.

Do not try to give a donation payment or credit card information to your Probation Officer. Your Probation Officer cannot accept a donation payment.


17. How do I make donation payments to the Office of Victim Services or the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund?
You must make your payments by bank check, money order, or credit card. Adult Probation Services will not accept any other form of payment, including personal checks or cash.

Bank check or money order payments must be made out to "Court Support Services Division (CSSD)" and mailed directly to:
Restitution Unit
Court Support Services Division
455 Winding Brook Drive, 4th Floor
Glastonbury, CT 06033

Credit card payments can only be made online.

Do not try to give a donation payment or credit card information to your Probation Officer. Your Probation Officer cannot accept a donation payment.

18. How do I make a donation to a charity?
You must make your donation directly to the charity. Your Probation Officer cannot accept a donation to a charity. When you make the donation to the charity, they will give you a receipt. You must give the receipt to your Probation Officer as proof that you made the donation.

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Violation of Probation

19. What is Violation of Probation?
 When you fail to follow the conditions of your probation it is a violation of probation and the court may issue a warrant for your arrest. If the court issues a warrant for your arrest, there will be a court hearing and if you are found to have violated your probation, the judge may sentence you to prison.

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Rights While on Probation

20. What are my rights as a probationer?
 You have the right to be treated in a respectful and professional manner that is free of any form of harassment, bias, or discrimination because of your race, age, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, place of birth, disability, or political views.

21. What do I do if I feel my rights have been violated?
 First, talk to your Probation Officer and try to resolve the problem.

If you feel that you can't resolve the problem with your Probation Officer, ask to speak to their supervisor.

If you still cannot resolve the problem you can call the Human Resource Manager, 860-368-3800, to make an oral complaint or you can request a grievance form from the office supervisor and send it to the CSSD Manager of Human Resources, 455 Winding Brook Dr., 2nd Floor, Glastonbury, CT 06109.

Your probation will not be negatively affected if you file a complaint. Although if you file a complaint, you still must follow the conditions of your probation.

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Tips for Success  
  • Review and understand all of your conditions of probation.
  • Think before you act.
  • Slow yourself down and think a few steps ahead.
  • Surround yourself with law abiding people who really want to see you do well, such as friends, family, co-workers, and formal support groups.
  • Take ownership of your probation by becoming an active participant.
  • Be open to the guidance from your Probation Officer.
  • The responsibility for making changes in your life is yours.