Criminal justice social work reports

The following information relates to offenders over the age of 16.  For Youth offending, please see Youth offending - general information.

 

Prior to 1st February 2011, Criminal Justice Social Work Reports (CJSWR) were called Social Enquiry Reports.

When a Sheriff or Judge seeks to know more information about an offender, they may seek a Criminal Justice Social Worker to write a Criminal Justice Social Work Report.  If a person is going to jail for the first time, or the court is seeking to impose a community service or probation order, a Criminal Justice Social Work Report must be required.

Following consideration of the Criminal Justice Social Work Report, the Judge, Sheriff or Justice of the Peace will impose a sentence the offender to jail, or one of a number of disposals.

A Criminal Justice Social Worker will send a letter to the offender (and potentially other interested parties) to attend an interview. The interview will last between one and two hours. The meeting allows the social worker to identify information about an offender, specifically:

  • The offender's background circumstances (personal and social history), prior to sentencing
  • Assessment of previous offences, including response to previous supervision (if applicable)
  • Assessment of current offence(s)
  • Assessment regarding the risk of re-offending and the potential of causing future harm to others

At the end of the interview, the Social Worker will explain what sentencing options are available to the court. The Criminal Justice Social Worker will write the report, and include their assessment regarding the risk of the offender re-offending and the potential of the offender causing future harm to others and provide an outline of sentencing options.