Previous Article
News
Pre-Sentencing Reports in the Irish Criminal Justice System
There has been limited research on the use of pre-sanction reports in Ireland and what impact they have on sentencing this far, according to the research of Niamh Maguire and Nicola Carr. Although, on average 10,000 reports are made by the Irish Probation Service each year. Time for a change! Their report, ‘Individualising Justice: Pre-Sentence Reports in the Irish Criminal Justice System’, was published earlier this year.
These pre-sentence reports provide background information on the defendant and the circumstances of their offending. They also include an assessment of risk of re-offending, and, where relevant, an assessment of risk of causing serious harm, as well as proposals regarding what might be helpful to the management of a community sanction and the rehabilitation of the offender.
Importance
The practice regarding pre-sentence reports provided by the Probation Service to the courts has evolved over many years, and the reports play an important role in the criminal justice system. The research report is an important step in examining the role and function of pre-sentence reports in sentencing in courts in Ireland and provides important insights and observations. It also points to specific subjects and themes that merit further exploration.
Objective
The main objective of Mcguire and Carr, was to investigate the role of pre-sentence reports in sentencing. They investigated the circumstances in which pre-sentence reports are used by judges, explored the construction of pre-sentence reports by probation officers and their interpretation by judges and looked at the correspondence between pre-sentence reports and judicial sentencing.
Click here to read the research report.
Related News
Keep up to date with the latest developments, stories, and updates on probation from across Europe and beyond. Find relevant news and insights shaping the field today.
Recap
CJPE summer course, Gender-based violence
She Matters: Advancing Gender-Responsive Criminal Justice Through Cross-Sector Learning in Barcelona.
13/07/2026
From 7 to 10 July 2026, more than 60 criminal justice professionals from across Europe and beyond gathered in Barcelona for the 8th Criminal Justice Platform Europe (CJPE) Summer Course, hosted by the Centre for Legal Studies and Specialised Training (CEJFE) of the Government of Catalonia. Bringing together professionals from probation, restorative justice and prisons, the Summer Course once again demonstrated the unique value of cross-sector learning, international cooperation and professional exchange.
Reading corner
Probation in Europe
Dohľad
08/07/2026
The authentic world of probation and mediation, in which professional work intersects with human destinies, is brought to you by the publication through case studies revealing the diverse life stories of convicts and the dynamics of their relationship with probation and mediation officers.
Probation Journal
CEP
New Publication: CEP, Probation and the Digital Future
02/07/2026
The latest issue of the Journal of Offender Monitoring features an English version of Gerry McNally’s chapter, CEP, Probation and the Digital Future, first published in 2023 as part of the Portuguese book Execução das Penas e Medidas na Comunidade no Futuro Digital, edited by Nuno Caiado.
New
Calls and funding oppertunities
European Commission | Call for proposals to support transnational projects in the fields of e-Justice, victims’ rights, and procedural rights.
02/07/2026
The European Commission has launched a new call for proposals to support transnational projects in the fields of e-Justice, victims’ rights, and procedural rights.
With a total budget of €9.4 million, the call aims to fund projects that contribute to the digitalisation and effectiveness of justice systems, strengthen the protection of victims, and promote access to justice and judicial cooperation across Europe.
New
Education and Training
Launch of 40 e-Capsules: Training on EU Law for Justice Professionals
29/06/2026
The European Judicial Training Team of the European Commission is pleased to announce the launch of 40 e-capsules (each available in all EU languages) within civil law, criminal law and fundamental rights.
New
CEP
Delegation from Azerbaijan visits CEP Office in Utrecht
25/06/2026
On 23 June, a delegation from Azerbaijan visited the CEP office in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The delegation included representatives of the Probation Service, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a judge of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan and representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Netherlands. The visit to the CEP office was part of a broader learning programme with Reclassering Nederland.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.