Dalvanie Powell, the president of the United Probation Officers Association, says her union members are just as at risk for COVID-19 as any other first responder.
Since the pandemic began, 1,500 inmates from Rikers Island have been released. Powell says it's unclear how the early release of these inmates will impact their jobs or safety.
To help keep everyone safe, probation officers are making field visits while practicing social distancing.
They are also holding virtual meetings and have now been trained on electronic monitoring.