Social work often overlaps with the criminal justice field.  People who have a passion for social change, community justice, and policy reform often connect well with the social work education track.  Most people who enter the field of social work have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.  There are also certain licensing credentials that some social workers maintain to practice in the field.  Social workers are essential to the criminal justice field to continue to advocate for policy reform and  improve systems that disadvantage people impacted by the criminal justice system.

10.4.1 Clinical Social Worker

A clinical social worker has a master’s degree in social work. Social workers generally provide clinical services and either hold their own professional license or work under the clinical license of another social worker. Social workers have a specific licensing board they report to with a specific set of schooling requirements aimed to address social policies that impact those with unique barriers and limitations in the community.

Social work is unique to counseling in the sense that clinical social workers generally work to enact public policies and societal changes to improve the well being of the client. Clinical social workers are needed in a variety of settings, including: correctional facilities, outpatient programs, residential programs, private practice, hospital settings and department of human services.

Watch this four-minute video (Figure 10.7) about a psychiatric social worker at the Oregon State Hospital to learn more about this career:

Figure 10.7 Psychiatric Social Worker : Careers in Mental Health [YouTube Video]. This is an encouraging video that describes the variety of ways someone can be involved professionally in the field of social work and criminal justice.  Kristy Dees describes her career path in social work.

10.4.2 Victim Support and Advocacy

A victim support person or advocate provides direct services to victims of crime. This role serves as a professional who provides non-judgemental direct service, support, and encouragement to someone. A victim advocate may have varying requirements to mandatory reporting based on their employer. For instance, a victim advocate working in a prosecutor’s office or a police department, will generally need to disclose information to assist in prosecution of a person being charged with a crime. A victim advocate working in this capacity is a mandatory reporter. If a victim advocate works for an agency that is funded through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), they are more than likely a confidential advocate. In this case, they are not required by law to abide by mandatory reporting requirements. Victim advocates may work in a prosecutor’s office, police department, community-based programming and other social services. Educational requirements vary, however jobs generally require at least an associate’s degree.

Watch this 3-minute video (figure 10.8) about one member of the victim assistance team at the Department of Homeland Security, where she supports victims of trafficking and other abuse. Consider what skills and qualities would be beneficial in a career like this:

Figure 10.8. Victim Assistance Program: Sarolyn (2021) [YouTube Video]. This video describes how a victim service professional works with a person to connect them to resources, services, and basic needs after they have survived victimization.