Probation

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Probation is a period of supervision, between 6 months and 3 years, which the court imposes on an offender. The purpose of the order is to challenge offending behaviour and attitudes and provide support with difficulties which contribute to involvement in offending. The offender must agree to the order being made.

Offenders are supervised on a regular basis by a qualified social worker and are required to keep appointments at both the Social Work Department and at their own home. Orders are strictly enforced and failure by the offender to comply with the conditions of the order will result in them being returned to court having breached the order. Additional conditions can be included beyond the standard requirements of the order such as attendance for drug or alcohol counselling, groupwork or community service. Good progress can result in the order being discharged early.

Probation Orders are supervised by criminal justice social workers based at each of the area teams whose details are contained in the right hand menu.

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