Probation Service

(1) The Role of the Probation Service
(2) Court Orders
(3) What you can expect from the Probation Service
(4) Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit
(5) If we do not meet your expectations
(6) Where to contact us

The Probation Service is an agency within the Department of Justice. It works to reduce crime levels in order to have safer communities and fewer victims. The Probation Service is conscious of the harm caused by crime to individuals, families and communities. Our Probation Officers work with offenders and their families across the country, as well as in prisons and detention centres, with the goal of supporting them to lead more productive lives, free from crime and the harm it causes.

In carrying out this work we:

• prepare pre-sentence reports at the request of the courts;
• provide court-ordered, structured supervision in the community with other criminal justice agencies;
• put in place programmes which aim to reduce offending;
• work with other community-based organisations who seek to reduce offending;
• work with offenders in prison, including those serving life sentences, to support safe re-integration into the community; and
• respond to requests from victims and victim support organisations.

These orders are listed and explained below:

The court places an offender under the supervision of a probation officer for up to three years. The probation order may contain conditions to prevent the person from repeating the same offence or committing other offences.

These conditions may include attending a particular centre for treatment of an addiction, or undertaking an educational or vocational training course. An offender may be returned to court if they don’t meet the conditions, and a new sentence may be given for the original offence.

The court may order a person over 16 years of age to do unpaid work for between 40 and 240 hours. The work must be to the benefit of the community and be completed within one year.

The Probation Service arranges and manages community service placements. If the person does not complete the community service, we will arrange for the person to return to court.

A court may decide to defer (that is, put off to a later date) sentencing for a period of time, usually not more than one year. This is to allow the offender to examine and think about issues related to their crime. During this time, the offender may be required to remain under the supervision of the Probation Service.

This is where the court suspends some or all of the final part of a prison sentence. The court may place the person under the supervision of the Probation Service with a view to reducing the risk of re-offending. The court may set conditions to support the supervision.

The court may include in the sentence of a sex offender a period of post-release supervision by the Probation Service. Again the court may set conditions to support the supervision.

There are a number of community sanctions that are managed by the young person’s probation team of the Probation Service working with young offenders and their families.

These include family conferences and probation orders that have specific conditions in relation to education, training, use of leisure and working with identified community mentors.

In our work with offenders, we:

• take account of victim concerns when we prepare reports on offenders for the courts;
• strongly encourage offenders to take responsibility for the hurt, damage and suffering which they may have caused you;
• explore ways in which offenders can make good the harm they have caused;
• make sure that offenders continue to address any lifestyle issue or attitude that has contributed to their offences against you; and
• make sure that any community-based programmes are sensitive to your concerns and aim to prevent re-offending.

Through the Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit we will respond in a timely, respectful and responsible manner to your queries.

We will explain the meaning of the different orders (outlined above) which we operate on behalf of the court. We will do this by phone, in writing or we’ll meet with you, depending on the circumstances.

We will respond in a safe and professional manner if you ask to be involved in a restorative justice process.

Restorative justice is when a voluntary meeting can take place between a victim, an offender and an independent person skilled at managing such meetings.

At the meeting, the victim can tell their story. This means that the offender can see the consequences of their crime and – as much as possible – repair the harm they have caused. This can help as it gives victims a voice. It also holds offenders to account for what they have done by getting them to take responsibility and make amends.

If they prefer, victims and offenders can also communicate through the independent person rather than meeting each other face-to-face. If the victim and offender do choose to meet face-to-face, they should be asked if they would like to bring anyone to support them.

You can request that we explore whether restorative justice is possible in your case, or we may invite you to take part in restorative justice if asked to explore this by the Courts. Your participation is completely voluntary. If you choose to take part, we will explain each step of the process and support you in your decision making.

We will work with you to prepare a victim impact report if the court asks for one.

The Probation Service has a national unit that provides a central point of contact to respond effectively to your requests and queries. It is called the Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit.

You can contact this Unit at telephone numbers:

01- 817 6511, 01-817 3684 or 01-817 3600.

You can contact us by email on [email protected]

Victim Service Officers are also available in different regions to respond to your queries. You can contact them at the following numbers:

• Limerick, Clare, Cork and Kerry: 021-483 6700
• Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Cavan, Leitrim, Monaghan: 094-9028404
• Dublin City and County, Meath, Louth, Wicklow: 01-817 3600
• Wexford, Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Kildare: 051-872548.

If you would like to ask questions, make suggestions or make a complaint about our service please contact the Senior Probation Officer at the following details:

Address: Senior Probation Officer, Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit, Probation Service, Haymarket, Smithfield, Dublin 7, DO7 WT27.

Tel: 01-817 3600

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.probation.ie