FAQs

Supervision

Q: I have been released from federal prison, how soon do I have to report for supervision?

Answer

Once released from custody, you are required to report to your assigned Probation Officer within 72 hours of release, which includes weekends and holidays. Please call the Portland office at (207) 780-3358, or the Bangor office at (207) 945-0369 between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, for instructions on where and how to report. If you have been convicted in another district, please contact the U.S. Probation Office in the district in which you have been convicted.

Failure to report will constitute grounds for a violation of supervised release.

Q: Can you tell me if someone is on supervision; and, if so, may I speak with the supervising officer about violations of law or supervision conditions?

Answer

We can only acknowledge what is considered public record. If it involves a violation of law, we will refer you to the appropriate Probation Officer or the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Q: How can I get off of supervision early?

Answer

The Court can terminate terms of probation in misdemeanor cases at any time, and terms of supervised release or probation in felony cases after one year of supervision.

Q: Can I travel within or outside of the United States?

Answer

Only the Court can approve any out of country travel. You should take this into consideration before purchasing airfare, hotel or other arrangements.

Q: What type of identification do I need when reporting to the Probation Office?

Answer

All persons entering the Probation and Pretrial Offices in Portland or Bangor must present a valid picture ID and are required to pass through a magnetometer and have all belongings and packages subject to physical and/or x-ray examination by the United States Marshals Service. Additionally, a person cannot bring any weapons, cameras, cell phones, recording devices, or television equipment into the office. If an offender is reporting their release from an institution or community corrections center, they should bring any release papers given by the institution.

Q: What is the Presidential Pardon?

Answer

Any person convicted of a felony loses certain rights. A Presidential Pardon restores some of those rights. For more information visit www.justice.gov/pardon/pardon-information-and-instructions/

Q: I am on Pretrial supervision and I was arrested or cited. What do I do now?

Answer

Notify your officer immediately if you have been arrested, cited, or questioned by law enforcement for a law violation.

Q: I was sentenced and have been allowed to self surrender to a Federal institution. Am I still on supervision?

Answer

Yes, all pretrial defendants remain on supervision until such time that they are placed on probation or surrender to prison.

Q: Does the Pretrial Service office drug test individuals who are placed on supervision?

Answer

The office does do drug testing of individuals if the Court has ordered drug-testing as a condition of release.

Q: Must I submit to urinalysis even though my offense is not drug-related?

Answer

Yes. The Court may approve unannounced urine testing on any person under supervision.

Q: What happens if I violate my conditions of release?

Answer

Based upon the nature and/or severity of the violations, either more stringent conditions may be imposed or formal Court and/or Parole Commission proceedings may take place, which could result in incarceration.

Q: Will my Probation Officer come to my home or workplace?

Answer

Yes. The USPO shall make both home and workplace visits to ensure compliance with the conditions of supervision and to assess your adjustment at home and in the community.

Q: I have an urgent issue and my officer is not available. What should I do?

Answer

In the event you need immediate assistance and your supervision officer is unavailable, call either the Portland Office at 207-780-3358 or the Bangor Office at 207-945-0369 and you will be directed to someone who can assist you.

Q: I am on drug testing and was just prescribed medication by my doctor. What should I do?

Answer

All prescriptions should be immediately reported to your supervision officer. You are required to bring in all prescriptions to each drug test for verification purposes.

General

Q: What is the telephone number of State of Maine Corrections--Probation Services?

Answer

Visit their website at http://www.maine.gov/corrections/adult/index.htm

The State number for the Portland area is: (207) 882-0806.
The State number for the Bangor area is: (207) 941-4713.

Q: What is the difference between Probation, Parole and Supervised Released?

Answer

Probation is a term of community supervision imposed by the Court in lieu of a prison sentence. Parole is a period of community supervision imposed by the U.S. Parole Commission to be completed after release from a prison term. Supervised Release is a period of community supervision imposed by the Court to be completed after release from a jail or prison sentence.

Q: Does a Pretrial/Probation Services Officer work for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, also known as the "government?"

Answer

No. The Pretrial/Probation Service works directly for the U.S. Courts and, more specifically, for all Judges in the District of Maine. The role of the Pretrial/Probation Services Officer is not to prosecute your case or defend your case. It is to provide objective, unbiased, verified information to the Court and supervise the defendant/offender in the community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office works for the Department of Justice.

Presentence

Q: What is a presentence report?

Answer

As ordered by the Court, a Probation Officer conducts a presentence investigation and submits a report to the Court prior to sentencing. The purpose of the report is to assist the Court in determining an appropriate sentence. It also serves to assist the Probation Officer in its supervision of the offender and to support the Bureau of Prisons with inmate designation, classification and release planning.

The Probation Officer independently investigates the specifics of the offense and the offender's criminal background and personal characteristics. The Probation Officer conducts interviews with the offender, as well as significant others who can provide information about the offender. Interviews are also conducted with the prosecutor, victims, and investigating agents. Home visits are conducted to assess the offender's living conditions. Information regarding familial relationships, education, employment, substance abuse, physical health, mental health and financial condition is gathered.

After compiling this information, the Probation Officer makes recommendations to the sentencing Judge.

Q: How do I find out who is preparing my presentence report?

Answer

You may call the U.S. Probation department at Portland 207-780-3358 or Bangor 207-945-0369 and ask the assistant which Probation Officer was assigned to your case.

Q: What type of documentation is helpful to bring to the presentence interview?

Answer

• Birth certificate
• School diplomas/GED/college degrees
• Paystubs
• Military records
• Marriage certificate/divorce decrees
• Social security card
• Immigration/naturalization documents
• Professional licenses/permits
• Drivers license
• Vehicle/boat registrations
• Dept. of Social Services records (i.e., food stamps, Section 8, disability)
• Proof of residence
• Income taxes for the last 3 years
This is only a partial list. The Probation Officer may direct you to provide additional documentation as needed.

Q: What happens after I am sentenced?

Answer

If you are sentenced to probation, you should report to U.S Probation and Pretrial, District of Maine, immediately following sentencing.
If you are sentenced to imprisonment, and you are not directly committed to the custody of Bureau of Prisons from Court, the Judge may allow you to self-surrender to an institution designated by the Bureau of Prisons or to the U.S. Marshal Service. When this happens, you remain subject to the originally imposed bail conditions.

Q: What is Voluntary or Self-Surrender?

Answer

The Court at sentencing, may order you to report to a Bureau of Prisons institution on your own, termed a "Self-Surrender." The Court will set a date and time on which you must report. Once the Bureau of Prisons has made its designation, you will be contacted with the name and address of the institution to which you will report. Normally, the U.S. Marshalls Service or your attorney will provide you with that information, and you are responsible for the cost of travel to get to the designated location. Failure to report on the date, time or location may result in a warrant issued for your arrest. If you are unable to report to the designated location, for any reason, you must contact your attorney and the Maine Probation office immediately.

Q: How is my place of imprisonment determined?

Answer

The Bureau of Prisons is solely responsible for selecting the institution for service of your sentence. It considers, among other things, any recommendations from the sentencing Judge, your medical/mental health/substance abuse issues, the geographic area of your residence, security issues, and the population of individual institutions. Probation and Pretrial Services has no input in the decision-making process and is unable to change a designation. Neither the Bureau of Prisons nor the U.S. Marshal Service is authorized to release information regarding designations to the public (i.e., offenders, defense counsel, etc.).
Further information is available at the Bureau of Prisons website, http://www.bop.gov

Q: How do I obtain a copy of my presentence report?

Answer

Presentence reports are confidential documents and will only be released to you, your attorney (who may share it with you), the prosecutor, the Court, and the Bureau of Prisons (if you are sentenced to imprisonment). Absent a Court order, no other party is entitled to a copy.

Q: How do I obtain a copy of my Judgment and Commitment Order?

Answer

Judgment and Commitment Orders are public information. You may obtain a copy from the U.S. District Court Clerks Office at 156 Federal Street, Portland, ME 04101 (207-780-3356), or the U.S. District Court Clerks Office at 202 Harlow Street, Bangor, ME 04401 (207-945-0575).

United States Probation and Pretrial Services

District of Maine

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FAQs

Supervision

General

Presentence