A Pre-sentence Report is asked for by the Magistrates / Judge
at a Court to help them best decide on the most suitable way of dealing
with anyone convicted of an offence.
A full report should normally contain the following items:
- A complete description
of the offense and circumstances surrounding it, not limited to the aspects
developed for the record as part of the determination of guilt.
- A statement from the
victim and a description of the victim's status, the impact upon the victim,
losses suffered by the victim and restitution due the victim.
- A full description of
any prior criminal record of the offender.
- A description of the
educational background of the offender.
- A description of the
employment background of the offender, including military record and including
his present employment status, financial status and capabilities.
- The social history of
the offender, including family relationships, marital status, interests
and activities, residence history and religious affiliations.
- The offender's medical
history and, if desirable, a psychological or psychiatric report.
- Information about environments
to which the offender might return or to which he could be sent should
probation be granted.
- Supplementary reports
from clinics, institutions and other social agencies with which the offender
has been involved.
- Information about special
resources which might be available to assist the offender, such as treatment
centers, residential facilities, vocational training services, special
educational facilities, rehabilitation programs of various institutions
in which the offender might be committed, special programs in the probation
department and other similar programs which are particularly relevant to
the offender's situation.
