Court reports
Probation staff provide reports to the courts about people charged with an offence. This helps the magistrates and judges decide on the most suitable and effective sentence.
There are four types of pre-sentence reports: a Standard Delivery Report (SDR), a Fast Delivery Report (FDR), an Oral Report (OR) and a Bail Information Report (BIR). The longest and most comprehensive type of report is an SDR.
Last year in Thames Valley we presented the courts with more than 7,000 PSRs.
The types of reports are explained below:
Standard Delivery Reports (SDRs)
Provide a comprehensive assessment of any offender being considered for a community-based sentence or custodial sentence, where appropriate.
They give additional information to the courts about the offender and the offence(s) committed.
Each report will include a proposal to sentencers on the type of sentence the probation service considers most suitable in terms of reducing the risk of re-offending, protecting the public and rehabilitating the offender.
Who is suitable for an SDR?
- An offender for whom a community-based sentence is appropriate but more detail is required
- An offender who is borderline between custodial and community-based sentence
- An offender whose risk of re-offending could be reduced by Probation Service intervention, eg. an accredited programme* or working one-to-one with a Probation Officer.
- An offender who is committed to Crown Court for sentence
*The exception to this is the Drink Impaired Drivers' programme (DID), which can be imposed on an offender dealt with by an FDR
Who is not suitable for an SDR?
- An offender who is dealt with by fine
- An offender who is given a conditional discharge
An SDR should be ready for the court within 15 days. This includes the time needed to see and interview an offender, who may be working, live a long way away or may be remanded in custody.
The average time it takes an experienced probation officer to complete an SDR (including thorough risk assessment using our risk assessment tool OASys) is about seven hours.
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Fast Delivery Reports (FDRs)
Provides information on the same day. It is requested by the Courts about the offender and offence(s), and helps the Court determine the offender's suitability for a specific sentence.
Mostly used when a Court expects to give an Unpaid Work Requirement as part of a Community Order for the benefit of the community, or a Supervision Requirement without additional requirements.
National Standards for the Thames Valley Probation Area dictate that 40 per cent of all reports requested annually by the courts should be FDRs.
Who is suitable for an FDR?
Offenders (in particular, first-time, low-risk offenders) who are likely to be dealt with by a Community Order (including those with a DID programme attached).
Who is not suitable for an FDR?
The list refers to past as well as current behaviour. It includes offenders who:
- Have been sentenced to life imprisonment or released on life licence
- Are subject to a warrant of Conditional Discharge under the Mental Health Act 1983, or under a restriction order following release from a special psychiatric hospital or secure unit
- Have committed offences against children
- Have committed serious sexual or violent offences, or any involving arson or firearms
- Have a history of violence and/or substance misuse and live in the same household as children on the Area Child Protection Register
- Target vulnerable people (the infirm, elderly or those less able to defend themselves)
- Target specific groups, such as women, ethnic minority groups, gay men, lesbians or others
- Have assaulted and/or threatened staff, including Probation, Housing, Benefit Agency etc.
- Are being considered for any Probation Service-led accredited programmes (other than DID).
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Bail Information Reports
Help the Courts by providing the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)* with verified information. This adds to their factual knowledge of the defendant.
The report will include risk of harm to the public, thus contributing to their representations on bail.
The report will usually be written, but when given orally to the court, it will be written up and given to the court as soon as possible.
What should a BIR include?
Factual, impartial information on the offender, including a list of sources used for the report
Details of relevant information, such as accommodation and employment.
Additional information:
In cases where risk of serious harm to the public is apparent, a copy of the Bail Information Report will be copied to the police, social services or health authority, as appropriate.
Where a Standard Delivery Report (SDR) or Fast Delivery Report (FDR) is ordered following conviction, or at the point of referral to Crown Court, a copy of the BIR will be made available to the Probation Officer charged with preparing the report.
A second tier Bail Information Scheme operates in both Woodhill and Bullingdon prisons, offering offenders a second chance to put a bail application before a court.
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*For further details about the work of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) - the national and independent prosecution service for England & Wales visit
www.cps.gov.uk
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Other relevant websites
 Her Majesty's Courts Service is an executive agency of the Lord Chancellor's Department (see below). Their main purpose is the delivery of justice. Covers policy, legislation and magistrates' courts.
www.courtservice.gov.uk
 The Lord Chancellors Department's main role is to secure the efficient administration of justice in England and Wales.
www.dca.gov.uk
 For information about issues affecting magistrates visit
www.magistrates-association.org.uk
- the voice of the lay magistracy
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