Probation Order

The courts can impose a Probation Order on an offender for a minimum of six months, up to a maximum of three years.

The Probation Service works to pre-agreed national standards approved by the Department of Home Affairs, setting out the minimum levels expected of contact between an offender and his/her probation officer.

There are 14 national standards in relation to the supervision of offenders and a separate seven national standards specifically relating to community service orders. In addition there are a set of quality standards to which the Service works and both national standards and quality standards are reviewed by managers via a file audit.

The orders are designed to reduce the risk of re-offending. Each order is individually tailored to an offender and takes into consideration many factors including, drink or drug abuse, relationships, employment and their accommodation situation.

Many offenders may be encouraged to undertake a programme of work designed to alter their offending behaviour. Such courses include Victim Awareness, Thinking Skills, Domestic Violence, Drink-Driving Rehabilitation and Drug and Alcohol Awareness.

Additionally other Government departments and agencies run courses that offenders can benefit from - such as DASH, the Drug Advice Service and Helpline, the Drug and Alcohol Team, the Office of Fair Trading (money management advice) and the Alcohol Advisory Service.