Principles and Methods of the Probation System as Practiced in Western Samoa (From UNAFEI Resource Material Series, Number 19, P 131-135, 1981, Minoru Shikita, ed. - See NCJ-88015)

• NCJ Number: 88025
• Author(s): N P Papalii
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: Japan
• Note: Material produced during the 55th International Training Course on the Institutional Treatment of Adult Offenders, April 15-July 5, 1980.

Annotation

The use of probation has grown markedly in Western Samoa in the past 3 years and aims to achieve more permanent goals than just the prevention of antisocial behavior during the offender's period of supervision.

Abstract

The Offenders Probation Act of 1971 provides the legal and administrative framework under which the probation service operates. Courts may impose probation for any offense punishable by imprisonment. Probation officers must write reports on offenders at the request of magistrates and may recommend one of seven dispositions: discharge without conviction, deferred sentence, conviction and fines with costs and restitution, conviction and discharge, deportation, psychiatric investigation, and probation supervision for 1 to 3 years. Offenders released on probation undergo formal induction, starting with an interview. Probationers who fail to comply with a condition of probation may be imprisoned or fined. All probation officers have the power of arrest, although they avoid using it. Probation officers may apply to the court to change or add conditions to the probation order. Probation ends when the prescribed term ordered by the court has expired. The probation service in Western Samoa is characterized by a high level of professionalism. One data table is included.