Define presentence investigation report. What are the primary goals of these reports?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The primary purpose of the presentence investigation report is to provide the judge with timely, relevant, and accurate data on which to base a rational sentencing decision. The PSI report also assists jail and prison institutions in their classification of inmates, and in suggesting types of institutional programming that would fit the offender's needs while incarcerated. Paroling authorities use the PSI report to obtain information that is pertinent to resources upon release, such as family support, employment opportunities, and the like. Probation and parole supervisors use the PSI report when assigning offenders to caseloads. Field officers use the PSI report when writing a treatment or program plan (Norman & Wadman, 2000; Petersilia, 2002). Another purpose of the PSI report is to enable probation officers to establish and maintain credibility with judges, prosecutors, and probation supervisors. Probation officers are not seeking to change a judge's mind—they are merely attempting to summarize the case before them and provide sufficient and reasonable evidence (Kittrie, Zenoff, & Eng, 2002). These reports also afford the opportunity to provide detailed information to the court not available from other sources that permits the tailoring of conditions to meet the needs of the offender and better control the risk factors on a case-by-case basis.