This section covers accessing previous file information to prepare for a short assessment. Undertake a file review using the file review section of the short assessment booklet.
The information collated will help to form a picture of the offender and assist in the consideration of what types of sentences may be applicable.
Automatic rehabilitative needs
Review these automatic rehabilitative needs:
- violence propensity
- alcohol and other drugs
- relationship difficulties
- gambling, and
- offence related sexual arousal.
These should be easily identifiable from the summary of facts and any other information provided by the court.
Pattern of offending
Review the pattern of offending as follows:
- Examine current and previous offending for patterns and themes (e.g. offending getting serious or less serious; time of offending).
- Note any breaches of bail, escapes from custody, non-compliance of community-based sentences (including non-payment of fines/reparation).
Victim issues
Review victim issues as follows:
- Court documents or Corrections records may highlight victim issues that you may need to know about before the interview.
- What is the relationship between the victim and the offender (if any)?
- Consider:
- proximity to victims, and
- any victim impact statement(s) and the appropriateness of discussing it with the offender.
Risk
Review risk as follows:
- Calculate the RoC*RoI score.
- Consider if the offender is a risk to self, staff or community.
- Check if any electronic alerts exist.
- Check offender warning and high risk offenders (HRX) status.
On-strength information
Review on-strength information as follows:
- Note if the information limits sentencing options (e.g. CW maximum is 400 hours).
- What do current probation officers say about this offender?
Response to previous sentences/orders
Review the response to previous sentences/orders as follows:
- Note if completed or not completed.
- Comment if special conditions completed (and if not, why not).
- Note any programmes they have attended
- Record any offending while on a community-based sentence or bail.
- Has Collections provided a report or expressed any concerns over fines/reparation payments (if relevant)?
Potential responsivity barriers
Review potential responsivity barriers as follows:
- alcohol or other drug issues, and
- relationship issues.
Cultural/disability/language considerations
Review cultural/disability/language considerations as follows:
- Are there any cultural factors that may need to be taken into consideration during the interview?
- Does the offender have any disabilities that need to be taken into consideration during the interview?
- Is an interpreter needed/available?
Sentencing options
Consider what sentence options should be canvassed. The sentencing matrix may assist the initial consideration of what sentences should or should not be canvassed in the interview.
It may help identify what questions could be relevant when discussing sentencing options with the offender.
Note: It is recommended that probation officers should revisit the matrix after completing the interview, to inform the decision about which sentence(s) to recommend.
For more information, go to the Sentencing Matrix.
