Caitlin Jenkins

Work closely with Parole Officers: employed at Grand Valley Institution for Women as a full time casual assistant in the case management department.

• Interact with inmates daily by addressing inquiries related to their parole officers, and facilitating the distribution of relevant documents.
• Schedule inmate lawyer appointments and visits.
• Responsible for numerous data entry tasks using the Offender Management System (OMS).
• Collect and distribute mail to parole officers.
• Answer the case management phone, and supervise inmate telephone appointments.
• Escort inmates throughout institution when needed.
• Process and prioritize correspondence to maintain efficient workflow and organization.
• Maintain and update critical Excel spreadsheets documenting inmate information with accuracy.

Became a registered volunteer in September 2024, commencing training in January 2025. Role will include:

• Engaging in active listening and empathy, creating a welcoming space for texters to share their feelings.
• Assessing the level of risk or danger the individual may be in.
• Employing crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate heightened emotional states.
• Providing relevant resources, tools, and referrals to texters.

Shadowed a community parole officer and experienced the following:

• Parole officer meetings and community home visits to ensure compliance with parole conditions.
• Assessment of criminal histories, risk factors, and behavioral patterns to learn how to cultivate effective parole plans.
• Investigated violations of individual parole terms.
• Exposed to how to write reports describing offenders' progress.

• Provided excellent customer service by anticipating needs, and responding promptly to requests.
• Prioritized multiple tasks in a dynamic environment, and stayed calm and composed.
• Used excellent communication skills to reduce guest dissatisfaction.

Volunteered via Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity:

• Cleared any empty dishes and topped up beverages while engaging in conversation with the homeless.
• Greeted and welcomed residents, providing warm and supportive presence.
• Listened actively and offered emotional support to residents facing difficult situations.
• Observed how to respond to situations where a homeless individual brought in a prohibited item, for example, a weapon.

This experience introduced me to a different aspect of life, deepening my passion for criminology, psychology and a career in mental health.