Scenario: Parole Officer

You are a parole officer whose caseload includes a single mother with three hyperactive, attention-deficit-disorder young children. She receives no support from her ex-husband. Her own mother wants nothing to do with her or the children, believing that “God is punishing her”. The parolee works as a topless dancer but hates it. She continues dancing because it pays the bills so well. You know that she smokes marijuana on a fairly regular basis in an effort to deal with the stress. Obviously, this is a violation of probation. However, if you file a violation report, she will go back to prison and her children will be placed in foster care. You know she is doing the best she can with her kids, she is heavily involved with their school, and they are strongly bonded to her. What do you do?