Does ‘being on probation’ mean you have been released from prison?

No. A Community Rehabilitation Order (formerly known as a Probation Order) is a different sentence altogether and is served entirely in the community. The Probation Service works with prisoners after their release but this is called ‘being on licence’.

Doesn’t probation just mean you’ve got away with it?

No. If you are on a Community Rehabilitation Order, you have to meet your probation officer regularly, draw up a plan of action and work hard to move away from offending. In this respect probation may be harder than a short prison sentence. For people who are used to leading chaotic lives, sticking to a probation order is a challenge.

Why do people always seem to be released from prison before the end of their sentence?

The length of time specified by the court includes some time in the community. So, for example, someone sentenced to 'two years imprisonment' will actually spend a year in prison, followed by a further year in the community. This year forms part of the sentence, and if someone reoffends during this time he or she will be sent back to prison.

More information about the prison service is available at www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk

What kind of offences do people get community sentences for?

A Community Rehabilitation Order (formerly known as a Probation Order) can be made for any offence that the court believes is serious enough. The purpose is to rehabilitate the offender, protect the public and prevent the offender committing further offences.

They tend to be used where there is a clear underlying problem such as misuse of drugs and alcohol, difficulties in controlling behaviour or chaotic family life. They may also be given for persistent but less serious offending such as shoplifting.

A Community Punishment Order can be made for any offender over 16 convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment. Community punishment used to be known as community service.

It tends to be used where the offence has clearly been committed against the community, for example driving offences or benefit fraud, and where the sentencer feels that the offender should make some reparation to the community. It is used where offending is not linked to specific factors such as substance misuse or mental health.

A Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order is a combination of a Community Punishment Order (formerly known as a Community Service Order) and a Community Rehabilitation Order (formerly known as a Probation Order).

It can only be made for imprisonable offences. Its purpose is to rehabilitate the offender and protect the public, as well as offering reparation to the community.

Is community punishment voluntary?

No. From 1 April 2001, Community Service Orders have been renamed as Community Punishment Orders to make it clear that they are not voluntary. Community orders are sentences of the court and people do not have any choice about whether or not they do it.

If an offender on a Community Punishment Order fails to turn up for work or to follow a supervisor's instructions, he or she will be taken back to court and may be re-sentenced.

Do you supervise people with electronic tags?

Yes. The Probation Service supervises offenders released from custody on Home Detention Curfew (HDC). However the actual tagging and monitoring is done by private sector companies working under contract to the Home Office.

How does the Probation Service work with young offenders?

The recently established Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) handle all aspects of criminal justice involving under-18s and the Probation Service does not generally work with this group directly.

However, there are seconded probation officers working in all seven YOTs in the West Midlands, as well as a probation team working in Brinsford Young Offender Institution & Remand Centre in Wolverhampton.

YOTs may refer 16-18-year-olds to Probation Service Approved Accommodation ('Bail Hostels') while we also supervise community service orders for 16-18-year-olds.

Further information about YOTs is available from www.youth-justice-board.gov.uk, the website of the central body responsible for young offenders.

Is a probation officer like a social worker?

In the past, probation officers often came to the service from a social work background and held a social work qualification. However training is now more specialised.

Probation officers are like social workers in that they can help people with problems in their lives, but the probation service is a part of the criminal justice system and this help is offered specifically to prevent people from reoffending. Like social workers, probation officers have to exercise control and manage risk.

If an offender is not complying with a sentence, the probation officer will take steps to have him or her taken back to court.

How do you train to be a probation officer?

Probation officers need the BA in Community Justice, a two-year university course. Trainees spend three days a week working in local probation services, with one day a week for attending lectures and one day studying. Applicants must be at least 20 years old and need the equivalent of 2 A-levels, or of 5 GCSEs.

Do you cover the whole country?

There are 42 probation areas in England and Wales which, along with the National Probation Directorate, make up the National Probation Service. The West Midlands Probation Area (or Probation West Midlands) is the second largest after London. We cover the local authority areas of Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.