NCJ Number
157185
Journal
Criminal Justice Digest Issue: 85 Dated: (July 1995) Pages: 11-13
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Probation services, court operations, and sentencing practices in England and Wales during 1993 and 1994 are reviewed.
Abstract
The challenge to the Probation Service is to maintain an increased workload without increased resources and without reducing the quality of service delivery or overly burdening staff. Successful probation programs are being operated, although compliance with community standards is of some concern. Reforms to the probation system are being considered that affect probation officer recruitment and the amount of authority magistrates and judges exercise over the content of community sentences. Statistics indicate that 48,800 people started probation orders in 1994 and that 50,200 started community service orders. With respect to court operations, the Court Service was launched in April 1995. Court reforms being contemplated concern prosecution and defense disclosure in criminal proceedings and the establishment of a sentencing council to issue sentencing guidelines.