Juvenile Probation and Parole

Juvenile probation and aftercare services are administered through the Supreme Court of Appeals within the Judicial Branch of state government through its local probation departments in the state's 31 judicial circuits. West Virginia does not have probation officers who specialize in aftercare caseloads. Juvenile aftercare is also administered by the Division of Juvenile Services for youth released from DJS facilities under certain circumstances.

JPOs have the option to carry a handgun. They must enroll in and successfully complete a handgun training program at the West Virginia State Police Academy. Upon proof of successful completion of the program, the officer is permitted to carry a handgun within the parameters of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia's "Use of Force Policy". They are not classified as peace officers. West Virginia code states “a juvenile probation officer may not be considered a law enforcement official under any provision of this chapter.” There is no provision in the WV Code that gives JPOs the power to arrest.

There are no private companies providing juvenile probation or aftercare supervision services.

Adult Probation

Adult probation services are administered through the Supreme Court of Appeals within the Judicial Branch of state government. Local probation departments are responsible for supervision services in the state's 31 judicial circuits. Adult probation departments provide probation services for adult misdemeanants and felons for the state's circuit courts. There is no provision in the West Virginia Code for magistrates to order supervised probation.

Adult probation officers have the option to carry a handgun. They must enroll in and successfully complete a handgun training program at the West Virginia State Police Academy. Upon proof of successful completion of the program, the officer is permitted to carry a handgun within the parameters of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia's "Use of Force Policy".

Adult officers are not classified as peace officers, however, WV Code chapter 61-12-6(a) provides adult probation officers the power to arrest adult probation violators.

There are no private companies providing adult probation supervision services.

Adult Parole

The Division of Corrections of the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, within the Executive Branch of state government, delivers adult parole services.

Adult parole officers do not carry a firearm, however, West Virginia has an Intensive Supervision Program and an Absconder Recovery Program whose officers, both full and part-time, are armed. Parole officers in West Virginia are not classified as peace officers but may arrest or take into custody adult parolees and probationers.

State code states the officers cannot carry a firearm unless it is authorized by the Commissioner of Corrections.

There are no private companies providing adult parole supervision services.

For updates or corrections to the information on this page, please contact: Diane Kincaid