The role of risk assessment in pre-sentence reports: Perceptions and experiences of judges and probation officers

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the opinions of judges and probation officers on the inclusion of risk assessment information in pre-sentence reports. This thesis analyzes data related to opinions on risk obtained through interviews, questionnaires, and pre-sentence reports. This data was collected within a national project examining the overall use of pre-sentence reports in Canada. The introduction also provides a brief overview of the role of pre-sentence reports in the Canadian judicial system, the role of risk in criminal justice, and experience in England and Wales, New Zealand, and Australia relating to the implementation of guidelines for the use of actuarial risk assessments by probation offices. Results indicate that both judges and probation officers strongly endorse the importance of information on an offender's risk of recidivism in the sentencing process, particularly in cases involving violence. Both judges and probation officers also expressed a preference for a narrative assessment process in interviews. However, actuarial assessments were used and identified as important in the majority of pre-sentence reports examined. Despite agreement as to its importance, there is currently a great deal of variation in the presentation of risk information across Canada. This thesis concludes with recommendations on how to improve the use of risk information in pre-sentence reports.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Ottawa (Canada)

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Jesseman, Rebecca

• Sociology, Criminology and Penology.

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-04, page: 1693.
http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-11836

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/26934