Running head: PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORT

Pre-sentence Investigation Report

Abdullah Altamimi
Course Code
4 March, 2019
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PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORT

Pre-sentence Investigation Report

PSIR (Pre-sentence investigation report) is a document-driven from an interview or

investigation performed by the probation agency upon request by the criminal court. The report

provides an educational, criminal social and historical background of the defendant which is used

in sentencing. The pre-sentence investigation report is prepared by a probation officer. During the

preparation of the pre-sentence investigation report, the probation officer goes through some

documents which include the parole records, plea agreements, court dockets, medical records, and

employment records among others (Hannah & Maurutto, 2010). Additionally, the history of the

offender is extracted from the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) or from the NCIC (National

Crime Information Center).

The pre-sentence investigation report is essential for several reasons. First, the report is

used in the determination of the sentencing, and it can alter the decision of the judge during

sentencing to either reduce or increase the sentencing years. Additionally, the report is used for

counselling purposes if the offender requires some assistance after serving their sentence or while

still in prison (Field & Tata, 2010). The other reasons include institutional and probation agency

classification. The pre-sentence investigation report is prepared upon request by the criminal court.

The PSIR is given to the defendant, government attorney and the defendant’s attorney at least 35

days before the set sentencing day.

The PSIR report contains information such as base case, the circumstance under which the

offence occurred, the statement given by the defendant and the victim. Also, it contains material

and family information, prior criminal report, physical health problems, and statutory penalty

(Hannah & Maurutto, 2010). Finally, it contains a recommendation on whether the offender

should be put under probation or incarceration.

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PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORT

References

Field, S., & Tata, C. (2010). Connecting legal and social justice in the neo-liberal world? The

construction, understanding and use of pre-sentence reports.

Hannah-Moffat, K., & Maurutto, P. (2010). Re-contextualising pre-sentence reports: Risk and

race. Punishment & Society, 12(3), 262-286.