What is a key characteristic of confidential records?

A key characteristic of confidential records is that they are only disclosed to authorized individuals. This means that access to these records is strictly limited to persons who have been given permission or who have a legitimate need-to-know based on their role or responsibilities. This confidentiality is crucial for protecting sensitive information, ensuring privacy, and maintaining the integrity of various proceedings, whether in a correctional or probation context.

In contrast, the other options involve broader access to records, which would contradict the very nature of confidentiality. For example, making records available to the general public without restrictions or allowing access through public records requests would undermine the protection that confidentiality provides. Likewise, sharing confidential records with all government employees, regardless of their authorization, would also violate the necessary limits on access to sensitive information. Thus, the focus on authorized individuals for disclosure is what underlines the essence of confidential records.