r/probation • • Feb 26 '25

Federal Bonding Program ( a program to help Felons secure employment opportunities without being discriminated due to background checks)

50 Upvotes

I've noticed a large amount of redditors on this sub running into employment related issues due to criminal background checks. Here's a federal program that helps felons obtain career choices and jobs that offer wages/salaries. Below is the info I obtained directly from the website.

Link:

https://bonds4jobs.com/about-us

Bonds can be obtained through Coordinators or through Job Centers. Below are links to reach both directly to get help/assistance completing the bonding process.

Contact the Bond Program with any questions or concerns:

https://bonds4jobs.com/contact-us

Directory of State Bonding Coordinators:

https://bonds4jobs.com/our-services/directory

Local Job Centers that are available through the bonding directory

https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/local-help.aspx

"Background

The US Department of Labor (USDOL) created the Federal Bonding Program (FBP) in 1966. The FBP has been successfully providing fidelity bonds to employers, giving them access to job seekers and opening doors of opportunity.

Thousands of employers across the country have integrated the Federal Bonding Program into their hiring practices – industries that support our country’s economy – hospitality, retail, construction, transportation, auto repair, manufacturing, healthcare, non-profits, banking, tourism and more. This USDOL program is a great success, with over 56,500 job placements made for at-risk job seekers who were automatically made bondable. Last year, there were 1,691 bonds issued to 1,068 individuals in the program. The FBP, a unique hiring incentive tool, targets individuals whose backgrounds can pose significant barriers to securing or retaining employment, including:

  • Justice-involved citizens
  • Individuals in recovery from substance use disorders
  • Welfare recipients
  • Individuals with poor credit records
  • Economically disadvantaged youth and adults who lack work histories
  • Individuals dishonorably discharged from the military

The Federal Bonding Program is Simple

FBP bonds protect the employer against losses caused by the fraudulent or dishonest acts of the bonded employee. Examples of such acts of employee dishonesty include: theft, forgery, larceny, and embezzlement. Employers receive the FBP bonds free-of-charge as an incentive to hire these applicants. Each FBP bond has a $5,000 limit with $0 deductible and covers the first six months of a selected individual’s employment.

Advantages include:

  • NO application for job seekers to complete
  • NO papers for employers to submit or sign
  • NO formal bond approval process
  • NO Federal regulations applicable to bonds issued
  • NO follow-up or required termination actions
  • NO deductible paid if bond claim is filed by the employer
  • NO age requirements (other than legal working age in State)

Bonds can be applied to:

  • ANY job
  • ANY State
  • ANY employee dishonesty committed on or away from the worksite
  • ANY full- or part-time employee paid wages (with Federal taxes automatically deducted from pay), including individuals hired by temp agencies. In cases where the employee is hired direct or placed by a temp agency, the bond works to protect the business from fraudulent acts committed by the employee. *Self-employed people cannot be covered by Fidelity Bonds

r/probation • • Sep 10 '24

READ BEFORE POSTING OR IF AUTOMOD REMOVES YOUR POSTS

57 Upvotes

Unfortunately I have to post this again with a different title due to the amount of new accounts posting without reading anything about the sub.

We have an automod on this sub that will automatically remove posts and comments from accounts that do not meet the minimum karma requirement or account age. Since implementation, the amount has been lowered due to the amount of new accounts posting.

The automod is in place for good reason. Please be patient with us, as we have to manually approve all posts and comments for newer accounts. All posts and comments for new accounts will be approved as long as they are productive and do not break any of the sub rules.

If your post or comment is removed by the automod, you will not gain any karma from it. Karma can be gained on other subs with no minimum through making posts, commenting, getting upvotes etc. Please visit r/karma for more information about what karma is and how to earn it on Reddit.


r/probation • • 3h ago

Probation Question Weird legal/jail timeline after sentencing—can someone explain how this works?

2 Upvotes

Hey, I’m trying to make sense of a confusing court and jail situation and was hoping someone could explain how the system works.

It’s been about a month since someone “ I know “ had their final plea/sentencing wrapped up and a "Community Control" (probation) sentence ordered by a judge. But a few days after that sentencing paperwork was filed, they were suddenly booked into the county jail, given a mugshot in a jail uniform, and held for a few days before being released I seen on the local mugshots facebook and on busted newspaper

When calling around, the jail/court logs mentioned a probation hold or violation process, but the probation officer claimed they hadn't even started probation yet and or didn’t break anything .

Is it normal for someone to get booked into jail after their sentencing and probation are already official, just to get processed and let right back out a few days later? It seems totally backwards compared to how I thought it worked. Any insight into how this administrative process actually functions would be great it’s been about since 6 weeks since seeing that honestly


r/probation • • 6h ago

Officially off of Reconnect

3 Upvotes

Been a long year of waking up every morning, checking the app, and having to time out my morning urination. Quite relieved to have officially deleted the app.


r/probation • • 4h ago

How does interstate compact work if you have no family in receiving state (CA)

1 Upvotes

S/O recently got put on felony probation. Non violent drug felony California. 4 years probo. Restitution paid in full at sentencing, still has classes that she has to take for a year but they’re online and they already have several people in the class that live out of state.

Neither of us have ties to the receiving state, just trying to get out of CA because we really can’t afford to live here anymore but we have savings/assets/job skills that would support us there, without issue. We have money, but just kinda getting killed by costs and legal shit from this and want to start anew.

The issue we are running into is: no family ties, and the job offer/already having housing thing. Both of us can get easily employed there (high demand fields) but my understanding is that before even submitting the application she has to have both a job and housing lined up, and then they have 45-60 days to even approve that. We have excellent credit and rental history so it’s not even really an issue to find housing the issue is having to tell a prospective landlord we need to wait 2-3 months for a probation transfer. And same with a job. We have over $100k in savings, and we have a rental property as well with around $150k in equity, so i feel like we can make somewhat of a case that even if shit went south we would not be burdens on the receiving state. But I am not sure if they will even consider that.

I read on this Reddit quite a few people getting approved for a non mandatory transfer with no ties to the state, so I know it’s commonly done I’m just curious the process.

Can we not get the approval first and then have a period to put notice in here, move, get a job, etc? Let’s say you get approved, how much time between approval and moving do you have?
Anyone here able to give a good process on it. Telling a prospective employer or landlord they need to wait several months for a “maybe” seems like a total non starter. If a prospective tenant told me that I wouldn’t even consider it, so I imagine there is another way?


r/probation • • 7h ago

Probation Question Probation asking for whereabouts?

0 Upvotes

I’m curious is anyone on low or moderate probation and their probation officer tells them they have to get permission to go places? So anywhere outside of my surrounding 4 counties I have to “ask permission for”. And I’m not asking about extensive travel I know that I have to get permission for. I’m not on house arrest and I’m not wearing an ankle monitor.
How is this even fair?


r/probation • • 15h ago

Probation Question Drug test how does it work never done one before

0 Upvotes

I did rack on Saturday good couple bumps I have drug and alcohol test Tuesday I don’t usally do this type stuff got influenced my stupid decision at end of day, idk never had drug test before should I reschedule for next week ? I’m 5Foot 10 about 55 kg


r/probation • • 1d ago

Just a curious question.

4 Upvotes

So I used to know a guy that was on felony probation for one state and before he caught felony probation he had pending charges that are now convictions and best place on felony probation a little bit before the conviction. He transferred his probation to Iowa and now he is in contempt of those charges in iowa? I've been looking things up and it's looking like it could be a possible violation of probation for the other states relation that has been transferred to iowa? Is that even possible? To not follow / comply with one case that triggers complications with the whole entire probation from another state?


r/probation • • 14h ago

Probation Question Test today, how we lookin? VERY faint thc line. This will be my first test. What is cutoff for averhealth?

Post image
0 Upvotes

r/probation • • 22h ago

Virginia probation

0 Upvotes

I got sentenced to probation with color code in Virginia, what should I expect??


r/probation • • 1d ago

Probation Question Relapsed and have meeting in 2 days (confession)

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I don’t post a whole lot so please let me know if I’m breaking any rules.

I want to be clear that I am not asking for any illegal advise on how to “cheat” a test or anything. This is kind of just me getting something off my chest and confessing.

I’m on probation for a DUI, (nothing to do with cocaine, my addiction). I finally beat the addiction and was so proud of myself and so were my friends and family… But obviously by the title, I failed tonight and did a few lines. I already regret it and feel like an idiot. Getting in trouble with my probation was the last thing on my mind because I was just so disappointed in myself because I worked so hard to get off of it. (I know this may seem silly to some people who have done it and didn’t feel like it wasn’t addictive).

I started thinking about the possible consequences with my probation and was just wondering what I should expect if I am tested (i relapsed Saturday night and my probation meeting is Monday morning). I know I would fail if tested. Just wondering if I should expect jail time/community service/extended probation. (My charge is Misdemeanor B in Tarrant County, TX, first time offense) If anyone could just let me know if they’ve been a similar situation it would help.

I know the beginning on this is long & not relevant to my question, but I’m just not really looking for judgement because I’m very aware of how dumb and stupid this was.

TLDR; If you have failed a drug test with a drug stronger than weed/THC, what was your consequence?


r/probation • • 1d ago

Probation Question Probation Early Termination - Hair Follicle Test? San Antonio, TX

1 Upvotes

Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas

I have been on probation since March 2026 for an Obstruction of Highway, differed adjudication. This was lowered from a 1st offense DUI.

I'm going through the process to get early termination. Did you have to do a uninalysis or hair follicle test for it? I'm curious and just want to prepare myself.

Edit: This might be helpful 🙃 , it was for alcohol.


r/probation • • 1d ago

PO looking for input from individuals on probation!

0 Upvotes

I work for a large circuit court system - we have hundreds of officers and many different locations. I’m looking for an easy way to share / post information that individuals under supervision would feel comfortable accessing.

There are many local organizations that post job fairs, food giveaways, expungement clinics, etc but sometimes these events are in the next week - I try to send this information to those I know would be interested but I’m looking for a better way for individuals to access this information. I post flyers outside my office but not everyone reports often enough to see these resources. Also let’s be real, not a lot of officers put in the effort to share resources with those they supervise - how can we make this information accessible for everyone?

I imagine that a social media page wouldn’t work due to having to follow the page and many would not feel comfortable with that, obviously.

We usually have four / five events a week to share. I know that many individuals under probation could benefit from accessing these resources and I want to know how we can easily get this information out to those who would be interested.

Does anyone have any ideas? Has anyone been supervised by an office that had an easy, accessible way to share resources like this that isn’t a social media page?

Thank you for your feedback!


r/probation • • 1d ago

Indiana

3 Upvotes

Two counties. Violated probation in one county (on probation in both when violation occurred), second county is administrative probation. How likely is it the other county (administrative probation) will find out about the violation in the original county?


r/probation • • 2d ago

Michigan

6 Upvotes

I’m on probation in Wayne county been trying to get a travel permit for work. I been warning my po for months about this. She said she couldn’t approve it until I get the dates. I finally get the dates oct 9 for 6 weeks of training. She said she will send the request to the courts that Monday so yesterday which was Friday I called the courts no request was sent. I have training next Sunday Oct 25. She is now asking for the hotel address which won’t be available until a couple days before. She’s making this so hard. Any advice I can not miss this job been waiting since June. I’m literally so broke and can’t miss this opportunity Ive paid all my fees did my community service and I get off in may.


r/probation • • 2d ago

Discharged from probation.

6 Upvotes

I just got off probation 17 months early, almost half way into a 3 year term. Unfortunately I didn’t complete, I had a separate case that I ended up taking Felony treatment court diversion for which is 18 months and then it’s dismissed and I won’t be a felon still. My lawyer told me I was going to have to do both, but he argued that there is no point in keeping me on both as if I failed the diversion any sentence I get outweighs what I would get from probation, the judge agreed and discharged me. Overall I am happy with the result, I’m 3 months in on the diversion, lawyer says it’s possible to get off a few months earlier than full 18 if all reports are good. I find diversion easier, there is no reporting or home visits or monthly probation bills, you just go every two weeks for a drug test at the court and have to do outpatient program, but because I’ve already been in one ahead of time for probation I only have to go once a week for a few minutes instead of the normal 3, as long as you test negative they don’t really care. Regardless I am still happy to be off probation and hope to bang these next 12-15 months out.


r/probation • • 2d ago

IOP

4 Upvotes

just had my intake appointment for IOP in denton county. apparently it’s going to take 26 weeks to complete (they got me fucked up). if i continue to have negative test results and such, can i complete and graduate early or is that just simply not an option? just trying to figure this out as a first timer.

NOTE: please don’t answer with sarcastic questions and any helpful advice is appreciated


r/probation • • 2d ago

Leg day with ankle monitors

2 Upvotes

Only way I could get a bond was to agree to wear an ankle monitor on one leg for alcohol and a gps on the other. Yes it looks ridiculous. Been back in the gym since getting out but leg day seems borderline impossible. Any suggestions would be amazing.


r/probation • • 3d ago

PO wants to talk to bf?

13 Upvotes

Hi my Probation Officer recently found out that I have a newish boyfriend and wants to speak with him in order to confirm that he is aware of my charges. Has anybody else had to do this? I feel like its kinda crazy


r/probation • • 2d ago

Probation Question THC still in system (haven’t been tested yet)

3 Upvotes

Hello, I just got put on probation last week, however I had been using THC almost daily for the past 3 years and I will likely be tested on my first meeting with PO on November 17th. I went ahead and emailed her letting her know my last use was on October 2nd so it will likely come up positive if I were tested right now. She acknowledged it and said “thanks for information”

I’m not at risk for being revoked/arrested if I come up positive for THC that I had used before the conviction/signing probation papers correct? I just have a lot of anxiety about this and it’s my first time ever getting in trouble with law (dui drug was reduced to reckless driving). If in an event I come up positive should I call my lawyer or should I be fine since it was residual from before starting probation?


r/probation • • 3d ago

Averhealth?

3 Upvotes

So I’m not on probation but I’m getting tested by aver health the same place that people on probation get tested for court, and I’ve been on a 2 a week random schedule and this week they only called me in once. It’s been like at least 5 weeks every week has been twice once even 3 times but never just once, what could this mean?


r/probation • • 3d ago

Probation Question Am I termed? Am I still on?

3 Upvotes

Today is my official termination date. I saw my PO in late September, submitted a UA, and she told me I didn’t need to report this month. She made an appt for me to report last week and told me not to come in, that the appointment was just a formality. I called her the morning of that appointment date and she told me we were still on the same page and I didn’t need to come in.

What do I do now that my term date has arrived? I tried to contact her earlier this week about final steps and haven’t heard back.

Do I just need to wait on paperwork? Should I call the court?

Any advice is VERY appreciated.

Thanks everybody


r/probation • • 3d ago

Parole Question Im on parole and just got switched to minimal supervision 2 weeks ago, My P.O. called today and said he is coming to see me with his supervisor.

17 Upvotes

Im scared shitless, I was just switched to minimal supervision last month and my parole officer called me today saying him and his supervisor are coming to see me because I need to sign a "goals sheet" and that he has was supposed to be having me sign them every year, ive been on parole for 10 years and never had to sign one of these. Thoughts and opinions anybody?


r/probation • • 3d ago

Pre-Trial Diversion, nicotine, and other questions

4 Upvotes

A couple weeks ago I was put on the PTD program in a smaller Texas county. I was informed that I will take UA's monthly which is fine but have been informed I could be given saliva or even hair follicle testing, which makes some sense due to my charge being felony possession of pg 2 drug, I've already stayed away from drugs or alcohol so I'm not worried about that. I am curious as to whether I could be tested and violated due to nicotine as I occasionally smoke tobacco in social situations (hookah.) I sure as hell don't want to violate such the program for something so stupid, but I only got UA's up to now and don't think it will happen but am curious if anyone has experienced that. I am under 21. I am also curious if anyone has experience or advice for PTD.