Investigation of Court Referrals
Objective:
To provide the courts with relevant information and judicious recommendations for the selection of offenders to be placed on probation.
Scope and Beneficiaries:
All offenders except those entitled to the benefits under the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 603 and similar laws.
The post-sentence investigation of court referrals is a substantive area in the Parole and Probation Administration’s workload. The investigation of an applicant or petitioner for probation involves a thorough study of his criminal record, family history, educational background, married life, occupational record, interpersonal relationships and such other aspects of his life which may have a bearing in the assessment of his suitability for probation.
In this connection, the probation and parole officers conducts a records-check on the petitioner in the local police files, courts, NBI, etc. Other sources of information such as relatives or neighbors are also consulted. In certain instances, the petitioner may also be asked to undergo a drug-dependency test or psychological evaluation to better assess his potential for rehabilitation.
Investigation Strategies :
From the crude beginnings in 1978, investigation practices have been continuously evaluated, improved and modified to meet the needs of particular situations. In line with said objective, the following have been undertaken by the Administration:
- Establishment of sub-offices in far-flung areas of certain provinces; creation of additional field offices in places where caseload is consistently very heavy;
- Creation of Jail Probation Units to provide vital linkages among the various probation offices, the Courts and the probationable detainees in the jails;
- Reassignment of field workers and Courts to the appropriate field offices;
- Requirement of speedy courtesy investigation reports to the requesting probation office;
- Firming up of linkages and continuous coordination with criminal record agencies;
- Continuous coordination with judges or Court personnel to thresh out problems in investigation; and
- Revision of investigation forms.