More Questions than Answers

One of the fascinating aspects of blogging is the statistical information provided about readers, such as the time of day, country of origin and type of browser being used. But possibly the most fascinating are the questions or statements that readers feed into search engines and thus subsequently end up viewing this blog. I thought it would be fun to try and answer a few recent ones.   

Bad probation officer

How do I change my probation officer?

As with every field of human endeavour, there are good and bad people everywhere, but in my experience there really are relatively few truely bad probation officers. Of course it depends how 'bad' is defined. I have several clients who have tried for years to get me off their case, but that's because they are dangerous and highly manipulative. Management have so far always taken the view that there are absolutely no valid grounds for a change of officer. Any client can request a change of officer, but there must be valid grounds.

Are probation officers on duty between Christmas and New Year?

Do probation officers make home visits during holidays?

Basically the answer is no. Probation is pretty much a Monday to Friday 9 to 5 job with normal Bank Holidays. However there is some evening reporting, but generally only one night a week. Programmes are often run in the evening and weekends and some tutors are PO's, but most are PSO's. This year offices will have closed about 4.00pm on Christmas Eve and re-opened on 29th December because Christmas Day and Boxing Day fell on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Offices will be closed on Monday 3rd January in lieu of New Years Day falling on a Saturday. However probation staff are always on duty 24/7 in hostels and the duty manager is almost invariably either a PO or SPO. Much Community Service is undertaken at weekends, however virtually all supervision of this is undertaken by PSO's. There is always a duty Assistant Chief Officer on call 24/7 in case of a serious incident or need for emergency recall. 

Does prison time rehabilitate?
Basically there is no short answer to this as there are so many variables. It will depend on factors such as the attitude of the prisoner, the length of the sentence, the quality of the prison regime and the environmental factors back in the community when the prisoner is released. One of the stated aims of the Prison Service is rehabilitation. 

Historical background of probation world
Probation has a long and distinguished history both in this country and others. In the UK we celebrated our 100th birthday in 2007, which was the anniversary of the passing of the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 that basically set up the bones of the service we have today. 

Can a Probation officer penalise me for not completing my community service?

Yes probation officers regularly take breach action in relation to failing to complete a Community Service Order without good reason. It's a complete myth that 'people get away with it'. In my experience CS are like the Mounties - they always get their man, even if it takes years.
 

A blog for people on probation?

Sounds like a good idea and an opening just waiting to be filled!

Opposing views on probation
Well this blog is attempting to help redress the sometimes biased opinions expressed in some of the media and by some politicians. I believe there is widespread ignorance about the Probation Service and hopefully blogs such as this might serve to enlighten in addition to stimulating reasoned debate.

Is a pre sentence report a good thing?
Absolutely as this is a key document prepared independently of the prosecution and defence and read directly by the sentencing judge or magistrates. It aims to explain the circumstances of the offence, the history and background of the offender, together with constructive suggestions for a disposal that will both address punishment and rehabilitation.  

Who regulates probation officers?

As with all public servants there is a comprehensive code of practice and system in place for investigating staff of all grades. In addition, all actions by staff are accountable ultimately to the Minister of Justice and there is an independent Probation Ombudsman and HM Inspector of Probation.

Probation home visits

Home visits are not conducted as frequently as in the past, but every licence and community order has a requirement that home visits must be received. They are mostly undertaken in high risk cases or in order to check an address for a Curfew Order, as a release address for Parole or ROTL, Release on Temporary Licence. 

How do I lie to my probation officer?

An easy one - just go ahead! You certainly won't be the first or last - but you have to ask yourself what the purpose in lying is? Generally speaking PO's are there to be part of the solution not the problem and they can be most effective if they have the whole picture. They are also pretty good at spotting if something doesn't add up or just sounds unlikely. In reality the problem is that often clients tend to be rather too honest if anything.
 

How many probation officers hurt on the job?

A good question and I don't know. My gut feeling is very few indeed despite the hairy situations and people we are often involved with.

Will I be able to clear my criminal record after my probation?
In the past a probation order was not a sentence, but rather an alternative to a sentence in respect of a criminal act and therefore viewed in a rather more sympathetic light. Unfortunately it has been a sentence in its own right for some time now and the offence, together with the disposal are subject to the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Basically this allows for certain offences to be regarded as 'spent' after varying periods of time. However serious offences can never be dealt with in this way. Unfortunately the situation is further complicated by the disclosure terms relating to the Criminal Record Bureau system of checks in relation to certain jobs. Basically for certain types of employment involving children or vulnerable people, no convictions are regarded as spent. There is widespread concern about the situation and change is likely in the near future.

How to help somebody on probation stop getting into criminal activity?
A damn good question and a lot of probation officers would like to know the answer. It obviously varies from individual to individual, together with the persons situation. Homelessness, unemployment and drug and alcohol issues all play a part, to name but a few. It is a huge subject that continues to tax academics, politicians and professionals alike.

Can people on probation have facebook?
Generally speaking yes, however there will always be issues of appropriate computer usage by sex offenders and other high risk offenders. Indeed some people may be the subject of Court Orders or Licence conditions that prohibit computer or internet usage.

When do you have the mental capacity to identify what is right?

A tricky one this. In the UK the age of Criminal Responsibility is set at age 10, but it is higher in other countries. Clearly the age of maturity will vary from individual to individual and this is one of the reasons why there have been moves to raise the age in this country.

What would prevent anyone being able to leave a country?
Over the years I've been asked fairly frequently if someone on a licence or probation order can leave the country for a holiday. In years past a PO could give authority if they felt it appropriate, but this discretion was removed round about the time National Standards were introduced. The straight answer to the question is therefore no, but if I felt it appropriate I've made the point that the government stopped recording people who left our borders some time ago. As long as they didn't appear on the front page of the Sun it would be ok, but I could not give explicit authority. It was a very stupid thing to remove the tracking of people on the way out, but I believe this is due to change shortly.