- Published: September 27, 2022
- Updated: September 27, 2022
- University / College: SOAS University of London
- Level: Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Downloads: 35
Probation Process Probation officers play two major, which include supervision of prisoners undergoing probation and investigation of defendants. After investigation of defendant, the probation officer prepares the presentence investigation report.
Presentence Investigation report is one of the most important documents in criminal Justice. The report is prepared by probation agent before the sentencing hearing and is used by the judge to decide on the appropriate sentence. The report is prepared after a defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty by after trial by a jury. The judge requests the report especially while dealing with felony cases (Clear, Cole, & Reisig, 2008).
Presentencing Investigation report is a core source of information used by judges when sentencing. It provides information on personal history as well as criminal conduct of the defendant. This ensures that judges give individualized sentence. Moreover, the report contains information such as the age of defendant, which helps the judge decide on the appropriate sentence. Furthermore, the report helps the judge to decide if the defendant should serve jail term and the appropriate kind of correction facility to send the defendant (Clear, Cole, & Reisig, 2008).
The factors considered in the report include the prior criminal convictions, account of the offense, work history as well vocational information of the defendant, marital and financial status of defendant, educational background, defendant and victim’s statements, sentencing guidelines and sentencing recommendations. Additional factors considered include the medical, psychiatric, or psychological history of the defendant and the explanation of harm suffered by victim. Another factor considered in the report is the defendant’s probable adjustment in community (Clear, Cole, & Reisig, 2008).
Reference
Clear, T., Cole, G., & Reisig, M. (2008). American Corrections. New York: Cengage Learning .