FAQs
Probation
What happens to someone who re-offends while still on probation?
There are two courses of actions: If it is an emergency case then they will be re-arrested and taken back in to custody within 2 hours; if it isn’t an emergency the re-offender can expect to be back in custody within 24 hours.
Do you ever engineer meetings between victims and offenders?
There are several schemes in place around the country but not here in Surrey.
Do you ever have individual specialists on a case?
Specialist workers are used on individual cases as no single person can be expected to hold all the required skills.
What is electronic tagging? A tag is a small electronic devise fitted around an offender’s ankle or wrist that sends a signal to a monitoring centre if the tagged person moves out of designated boundaries.
Prisons
What is parole?
Parole is the supervised release of a prisoner before completion of his/her sentence.
Who is responsible for deciding which prisoners get parole?
It is up to the Parole Board to decide who will be granted parole. The Parole Board is an independant body, currently answerabel to the Home Secretary.
How are offenders protected when they are released from prison, especially those with children or who may be an easy target for drug dealers?
If released on licence, offenders will be supervised by the probation service for a set period. Probation can work with ex-offenders to enable them to be law-abiding and, if they have children, care for them appropriately. Getting help with drug problems can also be part of post-release supervision arrangements. The Probation Service works alongside other agencies, such as the Police, Social Services, Mental Health Services and Drug and Alcohol Agencies to ensure public safety.
How are prisoners working within the community managed?
Full support is given to all employers involved in the placement schemes for serving prisoners. Regular visits and checks are carried out and each prisoner is given a steady work record which they can take with them once they have been released.
What do offenders who are paid to work do with their earnings? Prisoners who are paid can use their earnings as they wish. Most prisoners - if their earnings just come from work inside the prison - use their wages to buy day-to-day items from the prison shop. Some prisoners - especially those earning wages from work in the community - use theri income to support their famillies. Prisoners are encouraged to set up savings schemes to help them when they are released. Prisoners earning wages from outside work also generally donate money to Victim Support. Although this is not mandatory any more, they are encouraged to do so and most do.
What is the re-offending rate like for female offenders?
The re-offending rate is much lower in women than in men
What happens to prisoners who are foreign nationals?
This depends on what the sentencing court and the immigration authorities decide. Many foreign prisoners are usually deported at the end of their sentences or earlier if the immigration authorities decide that they can be. Those who aren’t deported are sent to one of the special prisons for foreign nationals.
Youth Justice Team
What are the figures for re-offending amongst young people?
Of those young people convicted or warned for an offence in 2004, 57% re-offended within 24 months
Who supervises reparation?
Supervisors are selected primarily for their skills in working with young people, in addition they tend to offer skills in the area of work being undertaken (eg construction, decorating, horticulture etc). Wherever possible we are looking for opportunities for young offenders to gain new skills through reparation projects.
Can young people get involved with community reparation before they offend?
No, the principle of reparation is to make amends for the harm caused by offending. There are ample opportunities for young people to get involved in voluntary work outside of the criminal justice system .
If parents contact the Youth Justice Service warning them about their child do they help?
The YJS parenting specialists will do their best to respond in the most helpful way. This may include referring concerned parents to other agencies who provide parenting support.
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
Who does the CPS represent in court?
The CPS doesn’t work on behalf of the victim – they work on behalf of the public. However, they do consider the impact of the case on the victim.
Magistrates’ Courts
How do you become a Magistrate?
An application pack is available from the SCJB secretariat – please fill out the form on the ‘contact us’ section of the website. Alternatively you can visit the national Magistrates’ website www.magistrates.gov.uk.
Are Magistrates made aware of the number of prison spaces at any one time? No. Magistrates cannot take prisoner numbers in to consideration – if an offender deserves a prison sentence then it is a Magistrates responsibility to sentence the offender accordingly.