Hardisty, Bird oversee orders in Deh Cho
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (May 04/01) - If you get in trouble with the law, there's a good chance you'll get to know Betty Bird or Marilyn Hardisty.
They are probation officers for the Deh Cho region. Their jobs were created six months ago when probation-related duties were off-loaded from social services workers.
Persons who are placed on supervised probation must check in with probation officers as often as judges order. Bird said she makes it clear to clients that her work week is Monday to Friday during office hours, not whenever it's convenient for them. While being firm, she is very aware of her approach and demeanour.
"If you're going to be confrontational, you've got to expect that back," she said. "I'm not here to judge them or condemn them. They've been sentenced. I'm just here to carry that out."
If she witnesses probation violation after hours, she said she has an obligation to report it.
"We are considered peace officers, so we're bound by the court. I'd be guilty of not respecting my job if I blatantly overlooked a breach of a probation order," she said.
Yet most clients are conscientious about following the conditions set out in probation orders, Hardisty and Bird agreed. Some of those conditions may include: no firearms, no alcohol, seeking anger management counselling or staying away from a victim.
Probation officers try to make life easier for clients by occasionally paying home visits, where people often feel more comfortable and willing to talk, Bird noted. If a client is out at bush camp, then a bush radio could be used to make contact rather than forcing the client to travel back to town, she added.
In addition, if a judge hasn't ordered drug and alcohol counselling, probation officers may recommend it if its relevant.
Bird handles cases from Fort Simpson, Wrigley, Jean Marie River and Trout Lake. Hardisty's clients live in Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte.
That arrangement generally allows for Hardisty to avoid having to deal professionally with relatives or friends, since she grew up in Fort Simpson.
The pair also take care of parole matters, write pre-sentence reports and periodically escort youth clients to young offenders' facilities. They both have previous justice experience. Bird, who has a diploma in social work, was a corrections officer for seven years at the Territorial Women's Correction Centre in Fort Smith. Hardisty had been a court worker in the Deh Cho for five years and had also toiled for the National Parole Board in Vancouver. Being relatively new to their current positions, they always have each other to fall back on.
"I'm glad that there's two of us so you always have that person to talk to and work with," Bird said.
"Because it is a new job, sometimes you like to get a second opinion.
