Court Reports are written by probation staff for use in courts. The reports are about people found guilty of an offence. They help magistrates and judges make decisions on suitable and effective sentence.

Pre-Sentence Reports (PSRs)
Provide a comprehensive assessment of any offender being considered for a community-based sentence or custodial sentence, where appropriate.

It gives additional information to the courts about the offender and the offence(s) committed.

Each report will include a proposal to sentencers on the type of sentence the probation service considers most suitable in terms of reducing the risk of re-offending, protecting the public and rehabilitating the offender.


Who is suitable for a PSR?
An offender for whom a community-based sentence is appropriate but more detail is required
An offender who is borderline between custodial and community-based sentence
An offender whose risk of re-offending could be reduced by Probation Service intervention, eg. an accredited programme* or working one-to-one with a Probation Officer.
An offender who is committed to Crown Court for sentence
*The exception to this is the Drink Impaired Drivers' programme (DID), which can be imposed on an offender dealt with by an SSR

Who is not suitable for a PSR?
An offender who can be dealt with by fine
An offender who can be given a conditional discharge
A PSR should be ready for the court within 15 days. This includes the time needed to see and interview an offender, who may be working, live a long way away or may be remanded in custody.

The average time it takes an experienced probation officer to complete a PSR (including thorough risk assessment using our risk assessment tool OASys) is seven hours.


Specific Sentence Reports (SSRs)

Provides information on the same day. It is requested by the Courts about the offender and offence(s), and helps the Court determine the offender's suitability for a specific sentence.

Mostly used when a Court expects to give a Community Punishment Order for the benefit of the community, or a Community Rehabilitation Order without additional requirements.

National Standards for the National Probation Service – Avon & Somerset dictate that 20 per cent of all reports requested annually by the courts should be SSRs.

Who is suitable for an SSR?
Offenders (in particular, first-time, low-risk offenders) who are likely to be dealt with by a CPO or CRO (including those with a DID programme attached).

Who is not suitable for an SSR?
The list refers to past as well as current behaviour. It includes offenders who:
Have been sentenced to life imprisonment or released on life licence
Are subject to a warrant of Conditional Discharge under the Mental Health Act 1983, or under a restriction order following release from a special psychiatric hospital or secure unit
Have committed offences against children (Schedule 1 offenders)
Have committed serious sexual or violent offences, or any involving arson or firearms
Have a history of violence and/or substance misuse and live in the same household as children on the Area Child Protection Register
Target vulnerable people (the infirm, elderly or those less able to defend themselves)
Target specific groups, such as women, ethnic minority groups, gay men, lesbians or others
Have assaulted and/or threatened staff, including Probation, Housing, Benefit Agency etc.
Are being considered for any Probation Service-led accredited programmes (other than DID).
Have been convicted of a Racially Motivated offence.
Have been convicted of Domestic Abuse offence.


Bail Information Reports

Help the Courts by providing the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)* with verified information. This adds to their factual knowledge of the defendant.

The report will include risk of harm to the public, thus contributing to their representations on bail.

The report will usually be written, but when given orally to the court, it will be written up and given to the court as soon as possible.

What should a BIR include?
Factual, impartial information on the offender, including a list of sources used for the report
Details of relevant information, such as accommodation and employment.

Additional information:
In cases where risk of serious harm to the public is apparent, a copy of the Bail Information Report will be copied to the police, social services or health authority, as appropriate.

Where a Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) or Specific Sentence Report (SSR) is ordered following conviction, or at the point of referral to Crown Court, a copy of the BIR will be made available to the Probation Officer charged with preparing the report.

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