What is assessment: assessment of offenders is the process where a Probation Officers evaluates a person to inform decision making. It involves taking into account myriad factors that surround a person and weighing them to determine their risks or needs.

When assessment is done: Probation Officers carry out assessment when preparing Bail Information Reports, Probation Officer’s Reports, Community Service Orders Report, Power of Mercy Pre-release Reports, Victim Impact Assessment Reports, and Environmental Adjustments Reports. They also conduct assessment to inform supervision, rehabilitation, and resettlement processes.

Who can be assessed: Probation Officers evaluate accused persons, offenders and ex-offenders.

What is supervision: Supervision of offenders in the community is an alternative measure to imprisonment that allows offenders to live, work and be with their families in the community under the support of a Probation Officer while undergoing rehabilitation and reconciliation with victims.

Who can be supervised: Probation Officers supervise different categories of offenders in the community, who are classified according to the type of order, release license or release warrant issued; and they maintain regular contact and do general surveillance of offenders under supervision.

Role of Probation Officer: When an offender is ordered or licensed to serve their sentence in the community, a Probation Officer will conduct a secondary assessment of the risks and needs of the offender from which an individual supervision plan is prepared and used. Supervision plans assist in guaranteeing public safety and also help in ensuring compliance to Probation Orders, Community Service Orders, Penal Release Licenses and Executive Orders.

Role of offender: During the period an offender is under the supervision of a Probation Officer, they are expected to comply with the conditions set out in the court order, release license or release warrant issued. Where an offender fails to comply with court order, release license or release warrant issued, a Probation Officer may return the case to court or releasing organ.

What is reintegration: reintegration of ex-offenders refers to the process of resettling and incorporating offenders, who are released from various penal institutions, back to the community under the supervision of a Probation Officer. This process is also called aftercare of offenders.

Who is an ex-offender: an ex-offender is a person who has been released from a penal institution such as a Borstal Institution, Prison, or Psychiatric hospital.

Aim of reintegration: The aim of resettling and incorporating ex-offenders into community is to provide a support system that will help them break away from the cycle of crime and become law abiding citizens.

Who qualifies: reintegration is done for ex-offenders who have been released from a penal institution either on license/ executive order or upon completion of their sentence. It is done for offenders leaving Borstal Institutions, Prisons, and Psychiatric hospitals.

Role of Probation Officer: Before an ex-offender is reintegrated to the community, a Probation Officer will carry out an assessment of the offender, the victim and the community which will assist in preparing a reintegration plan. The reintegration plan is important for addressing the risks and needs that the offender might face when released from a penal institution. In certain circumstances, a Probation Officer may recommend deserving cases for further assistance through educational support and provision of tools for those that have undergone vocational training.

Role of ex-offender: during the reintegration process, ex-offenders are expected to cooperate with the Probation Officer who is there to help them address any difficulties and needs they may encounter.

What is rehabilitation: Rehabilitation of an offenders involves assisting an offender who has committed a crime to correct their behaviour and live harmoniously with members of the community.

Aim of rehabilitation: The aim of rehabilitating offenders is to treat the offending behavior so as to reduce re-offending, and to improve the offender’s ability to live a responsible lifestyle and have healthy relationships.

Role of Probation Officer: Before the rehabilitation process starts, Probation Officers will conduct another assessment in order to prepare a rehabilitation plan. The rehabilitation plan assists in identifying the right treatment method(s) to use to reduce re-offending. Where an offender requires specialized interventions referrals may be made by Probation Officers for specialized treatment.

Role of offender: Rehabilitation of offenders in the community requires the cooperation of an offender with a Probation Officer.