assess the role of probation
This essay will assess the role of the probation service in relation to sentencing. It will begin with an examination of the process of reports, how they are constructed and how they fit into the different models of the criminal justice system. It will then briefly look at the context and climate in which the probation service operates and will then go on to look at the opinions of magistrates and some further evidence of the service's place within the various models of criminal justice.One of the key roles of the probation service is to assist the courts in sentencing through the production of reports. Pre -sentence reports (PSR) provide the court with information about the offender's family background, education and behaviour. It will also include a proposal on sentence (Cavadino 2002).The information in the report is gathered by a qualified probation officer. As well as an interview with the offender where the majority of information is collected, He/she may also have access to probation records, Crown prosecution documents and police records in order to complete the report. The court will usually adjourn for a period of three weeks while the report is compiled.As Whitfield (2001) says " If a Pre-sentence r
(Whitfield 2000)As sentencing policy at this time was attracting a large amount of negative media and public attention, the legislation was given little time to be effective and was amended. 74 per cent of the magistrates described the overall usefulness of PSR's as 'good'. If this report can be done on the day of request without a significant adjournment and completed by a less qualified officer. Tim Newburn (2003) "crime and criminal justice policy" Pearson Education Limited. In recent years the direction of the service and the way it works has been heavily influenced by various criminal justice acts, Home Secretary's and the rigours of modernisation. For example; what is the offenders explanation?, does he/she accept responsibility?, show remorse?, appreciate the effect on the victim?, are there personal, medical or psychiatric problems? (Whitfield 2000). He also mentions information collecting procedures and expert decision advisers as 'features of court' in this model. The 'expert decision advisers' in this process could be the trained probation officer. As the suitability of the offender to a community sentence is assessed in all PSR's and all community orders have a rehabilative theme. Faulkner (2001) "Crime state and citizen" Waterside Press. Ward,Scott and Lacey (2002) "Probation working for justice"Oxford university press. Sometimes by a home secretary who may be responding to focused media & public attention.
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Acceptance Essays
