Working With The Courts

The National Probation Service works with offenders from the point of conviction, or sometimes earlier if they are bailed to the Approved Premises.

Prior to the sentencing of an offender, the Judge or Magistrates can request a report from the Offender Manager.  This report is known as a Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) and provides the Court with background information on the offender relevant to sentencing, along with a sentencing proposal.  This report is supported by ht Offender Assessment System (OASys), an in-depth tool that assesses all areas in an offender’s life which can affect their risk of reconviction and risk of harm to the public.

The report can be in one of three forms:

1.Oral Report          -    

Usually when only a small amount of information is required or the offender is known.  Offender Managers will give a verbal report as necessary.

2.Fast Delivery Report -          

This is done either on the day of the sentencing or within five days (where cases are considered to be of low or medium seriousness).  The Court usually requires limited information as either a Community Order is likely to be issued, or specific information is required for a custodial sentence.

3.Standard Delivery Report     -          

These types of report are requested for medium and high seriousness cases.  The Offender Manager will complete a full assessment on the offender using OASys for these reports.  They are required when the Court is considering a possible Community Order or Custodial Sentence.

These reports all provide information about the offender as well as:

• Details of the offence
• Any circumstances surrounding the offence
• An assessment of the level of risk that the offender poses to the public
• The likelihood of re-offending
• Suggestions of an appropriate sentence

The sentencing Court takes all this into account prior to making the final sentencing decision.

Regular meetings are held locally and regionally with HM Court’s Service to ensure that the close working relationship we have continues and that any new legislation is implemented correctly.

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