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
Gender-based violence
Strengthening European Cooperation on Gender-Based Violence in Probation: CEP Meetings Held in Lisbon
10/06/2026
On 8 and 9 June 2026, CEP brought together practitioners, policymakers, researchers and partner organisations in Lisbon for two important meetings focused on strengthening the probation response to gender-based violence across Europe.
New
Overcrowding and Netwidening
Call for nominations Joint Expert Group on Prison Overcrowding and Probation Netwidening (EuroPris & CEP)
09/06/2026
For a new expert group starting in 2026 we are looking for 8 experts (4 from CEP, 4 from EuroPris) interested to join the Joint Expert Group on Prison Overcrowding and Probation Netwidening run in cooperation between CEP and EuroPris.
Recap
Prison, Probation in Europe
CEP at the 31st Council of Europe Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services
08/06/2026
CEP participated in the 31st Council of Europe Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services (CDPPS), held in Valletta, Malta, on 3–4 June 2026.
New
Caseload and workload
Guidelines on Caseload and Workload
08/06/2026
CEP Expert Group on Caseload and Workload is proud announce the publication of the Guidelines on Caseload and Workload.
Recap
Prison, Probation in Europe
CEP at the 15th Annual General Meeting of EuroPris
04/06/2026
On 2 June 2026, Jana Špero Kamenjarin, Secretary General CEP, represented CEP at the 15th Annual General Meeting(AGM) of EuroPris in Valletta, hosted by the Maltese Correctional Services Agency.
Recap
Caseload and workload
Recap: Workshop on Caseload and Workload
28/05/2026
On 27 and 28 May 2026, Bucharest hosted the CEP Workshop on Caseload and Workload: Supporting Sustainable Probation Through the Human Dimension. With 40 participants representing 18 European jurisdictions, as well as delegates from South Korea, the workshop offered opportunities to exchange knowledge and develop strategies to manage the increasing caseload and workload in probation. Designed as an interactive space, it provided participants – practitioners, managers, researchers and experts – with reflections on current pressures within probation services and it explored practical, evidence‑informed solutions from across Europe.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.