A Probation Officer is a qualified social worker who works with offenders and their families in courts, the community and prisons. Probation is a community sentence handed down in court, often as an alternative to a custodial sentence, which requires offenders to address the problems in their lives or the patterns of behaviour which have led to their offending. The purpose of the work of a Probation Officer is primarily:-

To carry out assessments and compile reports – on people appearing before juvenile, magistrate and crown courts.  

When does the probation officer become involved? A Probation Officer can find him/her self involved in the criminal justice system at three key stages:

- before and during the court stage;

- afterwards if the person receives a Community Sentence

e.g. Probation Order, Community Service Order, Custody Probation Order,

Combination Order, Juvenile Justice Centre Order; and

- if the person receives a custodial sentence, i.e. is sent to prison.

At the Court stage the Probation Board will be expected to carry out a risk assessment and compile a Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) on anyone appearing before a court.

The purpose of the Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) is to assist the court in determining the most suitable sentence. A Probation Officer will interview the offender and will gather information from a range of other sources - for example; family, employer or school, and the police. If a person under 18 years is being interviewed another adult must also be present. The PSR assesses the risk of the person re-offending and whether that risk could be managed in the community. The Probation Officer offers options to the court which he/she feels will give the offender the best opportunity either to make reparation, i.e. to give something back to the community, or to address their offending behaviour and life style issues. This will also involve looking at the programmes and support that are available in the community.

A Court must get a PSR when deciding if an offender should be given:

- a Probation Order (which may include additional requirements);

- a Community Service Order;

- a Combination Order (i.e. a Probation Order and Community

Service Order);

- a Supervision Order which includes requirements as to residence and treatment; or

- a Custody Probation Order.

The PSR is then sent to the court in advance of the case being heard for the Magistrate to examine. In the PSR, the Probation Officer will have outlined a number of options for the magistrate to consider. For example, if someone has been caught driving whilst disqualified, the Probation Officer might suggest the person attends a particular Probation Programme, which will address this behavior. They may be asked to attend an alcohol or anger management programme. This is known as an ‘extra requirement’ to a Probation Order.

A Specific Sentence Report (SSR) is an abbreviated form of a PSR which is intended to provide the sentencing court with useful but limited information about a defendant and offence(s) to assist the court in determining a suitable sentence. The purpose is to speed up the provision of information to assist the court to pass sentence. An SSR is most likely to be used where the court envisages a Community Service Order or a Probation Order (without additional requirements) is the most suitable. The SSR is not suitable for a Youth Court case where a full PSR should always be prepared.

The Probation Officer is responsible for ensuring that the offender is keeping to the conditions of the court order.

It is a minimum requirement that the Probation Officer sees the offender at least once a week for 4 months, and afterwards contact continues to be based on the assessment of risk of re-offending. An overall workplan for the offender will be written at the time of the Pre-Sentence Report and agreed with the offender. The Probation Officer will explain to the offender just what is expected of them, a contract will be drawn up and an agreement as to the standards and services expected of each party explained.

In respect of any Order requiring supervision by a Probation Officer, if the person fails to meet their reporting instructions it can result in a return to court. If the rules of the Order are not strictly adhered to, the person will be ‘in breach’ and a warrant will be issued.

Whilst subject to Probation supervision offenders will engage in programmes or access resources which are considered most likely to change behaviour and prevent further offending. The range of services are many and varied and will be tailored to the individual. For some people this will mean intensive supervision requiring attendance at a residential facility or day centre, where the offender will be expected to engage in understanding and looking at ways of changing their behaviour. Others might attend their local probation office to take part in programmes which help them manage their approaches to alcohol/drugs or violence.

Many offenders will also be involved in programmes aimed at promoting employment opportunities and/or positive use of leisure time.

Offenders subject to Community Service must perform unpaid work (between 40 – 240 hours) for the community. Probation Officers organise what work is to be done and ensure offenders attend and work to standards. The range of work carried out by the offender is varied, for example; assisting at social clubs for older people or people with disabilities, painting and decorating work, gardening and landscaping etc

To encourage communities and voluntary organisations to establish projects which tackle crime in local areas PBNI provides direct funding to many initiatives in the areas of accommodation, training/employment and recreation. Probation staff in many cases also work alongside community workers in providing programmes to divert young people from crime.

Probation Officers also provide a service in prisons to offenders in custody. A team of Probation Officers are located in each prison in Northern Ireland. In partnership with the Prison Service, programmes are provided for those individuals who wish to look at changing their behaviour and help those preparing for and after release. A service called Prison Link, a partnership between PBNI and NIACRO, also provides a range of services to support prisoners’ families.

If this work sounds interesting click here to find out more about becoming a Probation Officer or working for PBNI in other roles.