SOCIAL INQUIRY FOR THE COURTS - AN EXAMINATION OF THE CURRENT POSITION IN ENGLAND AND WALES

• NCJ Number: 15069
• Journal: British Journal of Criminology Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1974) Pages: 18-33
• Author(s): M DAVIES
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: Institute for the Study and Treatment of Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. PAPER GIVEN TO THE SCANDINAVIAN/BRITISH RESEARCH SEMINAR IN CRIMINOLOGY, 1971

Annotation

DISCUSSION OF THE GROWING IMPACT OF PROBATION OFFICERS' REPORTS ON SENTENCING DECISIONS, INCLUDING STATISTICS ON THE USE OF REPORTS BY COURTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES FOR SELECTED YEARS BETWEEN 1956 AND 1971.

Abstract

IN JUVENILE COURTS, THE FIGURE HAS FLUCTUATED SLIGHTLY SINCE 1963 AND FELL SHARPLY IN 1971 FOLLOWING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT 1969 WHICH HAS LED TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES TAKING OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOME JUVENILE INQUIRIES. BUT IN OTHER SECTORS THE TOTAL GROWTH HAS BEEN DRAMATIC WITH NEARLY A SIX-FOLD INCREASE IN INQUIRIES PREPARED FOR THE HIGHER COURTS AND ALMOST A FIVE-FOLD INCREASE IN MAGISTRATES' COURTS (ADULTS). SOCIAL INQUIRY REPORTS ARE DESCRIPTIONS OF CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THEY HELP THE COURT CHOOSE A SENTENCE 'APPROPRIATE' TO THE OFFENDER'S APPARENT CIRCUMSTANCES. THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE ARE UNLIKELY TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBABLE EFFECTIVENESS OF TREATMENT, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY REFER TO THE PROBABILITY OF RECIDIVISM. THEY REFLECT THE PROBATION SERVICE'S CONVENTIONAL WISDOM, BACKED UP BY STRONG IN-GROUP SUPPORT FOR WHAT IS CUSTOMARY, AND TEMPERED BY THE OFFICER'S AWARENESS OF WHAT WILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE COURT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)