The number of cases referred to Probation Services by the courts is always on the increase. Probation Services is currently handling 572 cases compared to 446 cases in the same period in 2006. In 2006, the age of offenders benefiting from the probation services varied greatly with the youngest being 11 and the oldest 73, but the largest number were in the 20-25-year age-group. The majority of cases are males (91 per cent in 2006) and the most common crimes are those of theft, drug possession and trafficking, fraud, assault, and crimes against minors.
Offenders are referred to Probation Services by the courts for various reasons. The court may ask Probation Services for a report before the sentence is issued. This report usually includes detailed information on the offender’s past, any history of drug or alcohol abuse, any traumas in the offender’s life, his/her present circumstances and any care plan that might help the individual in his/her rehabilitation. Moreover, the court may put an offender under the supervision of a probation officer after the offender is arraigned in court or after sentencing.
More recent amendments to the law permit the court to issue a community service order (CSO), whereby the offender has to perform up to 240 hours of work for the benefit of the community under the supervision of a probation officer. Probation Services is in contact with various entities, agencies and local councils that are willing to have offenders perform unpaid work specified by the court under the supervision of a probation officer. Work done so far by offenders include plastering and painting of buildings and road signs; other embellishment works in public areas, such as playing fields; gardening; litter-picking; assisting the facilitators of persons with special needs; helping in animal shelters; and filing and other odd office-jobs. Offenders do this work in their free time; if employed or still receiving an education, care is taken that the community service does not interfere with normal work or school hours.
During a CSO, the offender experiences a change that is characterised by a feeling of well being which usually accompanies the act of giving and helping others. CSO cases so far reveal that certain positive characteristics and skills, such as patience, good manners and also a certain amount of responsibility in the offender were brought out thanks to his/her participation in such community work. The feedback received by Probation Services so far has been positive from all parties concerned. In the majority of cases, the placement providers were very satisfied with the offenders’ work. In turn, most offenders performing this work admitted that though it was difficult for them to work in their free time, they felt that they were helping others and felt a sense of pride in their work.
For more information on Probation Services contact [email protected]
Probation officers are trained at the Institute for Forensic Studies within the University of Malta. At present, the Institute is running a BA (Hons.) full-time course in Criminology. In the coming scholastic year, the institute will be offering the BA (Hons.) five-year part-time course in criminology, a diploma in policing and a post-graduate diploma in Probation Services.
The post-graduate diploma in Probation Services prepares students to work in the field of probation. In order to be eligible to follow this one-year full-time course students need to have a first degree, preferably in the humanities field (such as psychology, education, sociology and social work); other relevant professional academic qualifications, or considerable experience in a related field would be considered by the board of admissions. Students attending this post-graduate diploma will study criminological theory, victimology, correctional services, crime prevention, research and probation. Students will also be sent on a practical placement with probation officers where they will have the opportunityto see the work Probation Services does.
Application are to be submitted at the University of Malta on 19, 20 and 23 July between 8:30am and 12:30pm. For further information about the courses send an e-mail to [email protected] or phone 2340 2771.
The Probation Services was set up in 1994 as a non-governmental organisation. It has been part of the Department of Correctional Services in the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs since 1996. At present, Probation Services employs two senior probation officers and 11 probation officers. It offers various services to the courts both at the pre-sentencing and the post-sentencing stage. It liases with other departments and agencies especially with the police, prisons and social work agencies.
The Institute of Forensic Studies in the University of Malta was set up in 1993. The aims of the Institute are to educate, train and prepare people to work in the field of criminal justice. The Institute focuses its endeavours on teaching prospective workers in correctional services and policing. It also conducts research in the forensic sciences (including forensic medicine), criminology and related social policy areas. At present, research is being conducted on gender violence, date rape (both projects being financed by the Daphne II programme) and on unemployment and crime (a project financed by the Grundtvig lifelong learning programme). The Institute also provides consultancy services to the Courts of Justice as well as to organisations that operate in related fields. In addition, it advises government on matters pertaining to criminal justice.