Terminating the Interview

Introduction

This topic outlines the reasons for terminating an interview with an offender and includes the steps that should be taken.

An interview should be terminated if:

the probation officer fears for their safety or wellbeing
the place where the interview is to take place is either unsafe or unreasonably uncomfortable (i.e. area too small, too cold)
a confidential interview can not take place (e.g. prison facilities)
the offender refuses to be interviewed
the offender is physically unable to continue
the offender appears uncooperative
the offender is drunk or under the influence of a substance, or
the offender is disorientated and with a history of mental illness.

Next steps

Use the table below to decide whether or not to stop the interview and what to do next.

Note: It is possible to complete a pre-sentence report without the offender's participation in the interview.

Reference: For more information about this see this chapter, topic Completing a Report Without Interviewing the Offender.

If the offender...	then...
behaves in a threatening manner	stop the interview immediately in the safest manner possible and leave follow up any issues with your service manager prepare the assessment without completing the interview.
refuses to be interviewed or is uncooperative	tell the offender that if they remain uncooperative the report will be prepared from information contained in documented records.
has been found guilty and continues to deny the offending	continue the assessment, exploring the offending the offender accepts discuss with the offender the mutually identified automatic rehabilitative needs, and state what other needs will be identified without his agreement.
is physically unable to continue	stop the interview and render assistance where possible and if appropriate, and reschedule another interview.
is drunk or under the influence of a substance	stop the interview and reschedule another interview.
is disorientated and with a history of mental illness	stop the interview refer them to forensic psychiatric services for a specialist assessment, and write a memo to the court explaining why a report has not been prepared.

Safety

If the setting for the interview is unsafe, unreasonably uncomfortable or does not offer the privacy necessary for confidentiality then stop the interview.

Reschedule another interview if there is time, or explain the circumstances in a memo to the court.

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