Probation Supervision
Probation supervision is one of a range of options open to courts when sentencing individuals found guilty of criminal behaviour. Offenders give an undertaking to the court that they will be of good behaviour, avoid further crime and adhere to the conditions of the order. Standard conditions of supervision include:
- to be of good behaviour;
- to follow the instructions of the supervising Probation Officer; and
- inform the supervising officer of any change of address.
There can be additional conditions ordered by the court, depending on the circumstances of the case. Examples may include:
- participation in a training course;
- residence in a hostel; and
- attendance at a treatment clinic or programme.
The court can make an order for probation supervision for any period. Probation Orders made in the District Court can last up to three years.
What does probation involve?
Someone who is placed on probation will have to keep regular contact with their supervising probation officer and comply with all conditions of the probation order. During the supervision programme, offenders are helped to identify the cause of their offending behaviour and ways of avoiding it happening again. The supervising officer will visit the offender at home and may involve family members, if they feel this will assist the offender avoid further trouble. The offender will also meet the supervising officer at their office.
Offenders may be asked to participate in a groupwork programme. Programmes look at issues such as:
- substance misuse;
- anger management;
- offending behaviour; and
- the development of social skills.
Please see pages on our Community Based Projects and Programmes for further details.
What if the conditions of an order are not kept?
Probation officers are given the responsibility to supervise offenders released by the courts into the community. Failure by an offender to comply with the conditions of probation will be addressed with him or her by the supervising officer and may lead to the case being returned to court. This can result in a custodial sentence or other sanction being decided upon by the court.
Discharging a probation order
If someone makes good progress while under supervision, the probation officer may consider applying to the court to have the order discharged. This can happen at any time during the course of the order, but generally no sooner than half way through the order. The offender does not necessarily have to attend the court. Your probation officer will advise you on this, if it arises.
