Presentence Investigation
Presentence investigation is a report that shows the criminal history of an individual. This document is useful in many ways. One of the ways is that it is used by the judge to help them decide on the appropriate sentence that should be given to the criminal. The crime history of an individual determines whether he should be given a harsh sentence or a lenient one. The document is therefore used to determine the correct sentence (Green, 1983).
The document also helps to determine the supervision that should be accorded to the criminals. Usually there is high, medium and low level of supervision of the inmates. The inmates who are very dangerous need a higher level of supervision. Therefore, the document is useful in deciding the level of supervision of the prisoner.
The document is used for collection of research on whether the correction centers are effective in their activities. If the criminal activities of an offender keep on increasing as time goes, then it can be concluded that the centre are ineffective.
The document is used to calculate the release dates of the offender. The document shows the risks that are posed to the community on release of the offender. Therefore the document is useful in determining whether the offender needs a short sentence or a longer one (Green, 1983).
The presentence investigation is used in classifying of the prisoners. All prisoners cannot be kept together. The dangerous prisoners who need more security are separated trough the use of presentence investigation.
Various types of information are included in the presentence investigation. The mental condition of the offender is investigated to find out whether the mental condition influenced him/her to commit the crime.
The information about the family of the offender is also investigated. The number of children and the wife of the offender are sought for. Information relating to work, employment, and physical condition of the offender is also part of the information that is needed in the presentence investigation.
The information on the presentence investigation is collected through interviewing the offender. The offender is given a form to fill or he/she is asked information that help to get the required information. Criminal records are also investigated to find out whether the offender has ever committed a crime before (Green, 1983). The victims of the crime committed by the offender are also interviewed to give facts about the crime. This information is also part of presentence information.
References.
Green, Celillanne. (1983). Presentence Investigation, Sentencing and Multiple Sentences. Howard Law Journal.
