Assess the Changing Role of the Probation Service
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- Date Submitted: 11/28/2010 07:43 AM
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The aim of this assignment is to assess how the role of the Probation Service has changed since the 1991 Criminal Justice Act. In order to assess how the service has changed it is important to look first at its history and development up to the 1991 Act.
The Probation Service in England and Wales has from its conception in the 1800’s evolved and developed continually in order to provide a service which benefits both the public and service users. It has developed from its original form of young offenders being released to the care of people willing to act as their Guardians through to today’s Service which is recognised in its own right as a form of sentencing. During this time Probation has seen the first appointments of police court missionaries, followed by the first attempt to legislate the system, with the Probation of First offenders Act in 1887. The 1907 Probation of Offenders Act, was the first act which allowed Probation Orders for all courts and offences, except murder and treason, but these orders did require the consent of the individual, and this consent remained a condition of Probation until the 1991 CJ Act. It was in 1938 that the Home Office assumed responsibility for the Probation Service and the 1948 Criminal Justice Act established procedures for organisation, finance and practice. While the service continued to grow and develop for many years, the Criminal Justice Act of 1991 was a major turning point in the development of the service. There had been a number of events which led to this Act such as the Streatfield report which recommend social enquiry in reports. The introduction of the Community Service Order in 1972, and the introduction of National Objectives and Priorities in 1984. The Green and White papers published in 1988 and 1990 which questioned the high use of custody and promoted the use of community based sentences as an alternative. And finally the 1989 report ‘The Probation Service – promoting Value for Money’ which...
The Probation Service in England and Wales has from its conception in the 1800’s evolved and developed continually in order to provide a service which benefits both the public and service users. It has developed from its original form of young offenders being released to the care of people willing to act as their Guardians through to today’s Service which is recognised in its own right as a form of sentencing. During this time Probation has seen the first appointments of police court missionaries, followed by the first attempt to legislate the system, with the Probation of First offenders Act in 1887. The 1907 Probation of Offenders Act, was the first act which allowed Probation Orders for all courts and offences, except murder and treason, but these orders did require the consent of the individual, and this consent remained a condition of Probation until the 1991 CJ Act. It was in 1938 that the Home Office assumed responsibility for the Probation Service and the 1948 Criminal Justice Act established procedures for organisation, finance and practice. While the service continued to grow and develop for many years, the Criminal Justice Act of 1991 was a major turning point in the development of the service. There had been a number of events which led to this Act such as the Streatfield report which recommend social enquiry in reports. The introduction of the Community Service Order in 1972, and the introduction of National Objectives and Priorities in 1984. The Green and White papers published in 1988 and 1990 which questioned the high use of custody and promoted the use of community based sentences as an alternative. And finally the 1989 report ‘The Probation Service – promoting Value for Money’ which...