ALBANY, N.Y. -- Amy Merrihew has been a parole officer in Albany County since 2015. Every year, she spends her Halloween checking up on sex offenders.

"I don't think anybody grows up dreaming of supervising sex offenders," Merrihew said.

This year, she's working with senior parole officer Daniel Tobin. They're checking in on dozens of registered sex offenders in order to protect children and the public this Halloween.

"We're looking for compliance with their conditions of release," Tobin said. "Every parolee has conditions of release that they must obey by."

"No costumes, no candy," Merrihew said. "Nothing that would entice children to come to the house."

At the first three visits, the parolees were all in compliance. All three were also breathalyzed, showing no alcohol in their systems.

But just as they wrapped up their third check-in, the officers got a call for a possible violation. Following an interview, they learned that an Albany parolee had some contraband, including extra cellphones -- all of which violate his conditions.

"He's going to be taken into custody tonight and lodged at the Albany County Jail, and he'll face a parole violation with a parole board in a couple of weeks," Merrihew said.

These efforts will continue long after trick-or-treaters are finished collecting candy. Parole officers will keep visiting the parolees twice a month unannounced until their terms are up.

It's a job Merrihew takes pride in, as part of their effort to keep the public safe.

"If I can prevent even one person from being harmed, then it's worth it. I've kept someone from becoming a victim, and there's no better satisfaction than that," Merrihew said.