Correctional treatment specialists work in jails, prisons, or parole or probation agencies. In jails and prisons, they evaluate the progress of inmates. They also work with inmates, probation officers, and other agencies to develop parole and release plans. In order to perform effectively in an environment with Spanish speaking offenders, knowledge of the Spanish language is essential.

Probation officers supervise offenders on probation or parole through personal contact with the offenders and their families. Probation and parole agencies also seek the assistance of community organizations, such as religious institutions, neighborhood groups, and local residents, to monitor the behavior of many offenders. Probation officers can often be assigned to Spanish speaking offenders, or those located in a Spanish speaking community. In this circumstance, knowledge of the Spanish language is crucial.