Probation and After-Care Service

	Mission and Objectives
	Probation Office
	Services offered
	Power Point presentation 2003

The Probation Service was established in 1947 following the enactment of the Probation of Offenders Ordinance No. 58 of 1946. It was extended to Rodrigues by Proclamation No. 20 of 1961. 

The enactment of the Reform Institutions Act (35 of 1988) made provision for an After-Care Service. The Probation Service then came to be known as the Probation and After Care Service. 

In August 1990, the Service underwent a change in its structure in view of its ever-increasing responsibilities in being represented by a Commissioner and three Assistant Commissioners, each being in charge of the following divisions - Probation, Parole and After-Care, and Institutional Care.  In December 1994, A Deputy Commissioner of Probation and After-Care has been appointed.

Mission and Objectives 

The Probation and After-Care Service confirms its belief in the following mission and broad objectives:

(i)  Mission

- To work with the Courts in planning sentences for offenders.

- To rehabilitate offenders in the community.

- To work towards the reduction of crime and protection of the  
   public. 

- To assist families in conflict and to safeguard the welfare of 
   children.

  (ii) Objectives

- To provide an independent inquiry service in civil and criminal matters.

            - To provide for the supervision of offenders in the community.

           - To provide alternatives to custodial sentence so that as many offenders as, in accordance with 
              public safety, may be maintained in the community under supervision.

- To work in collaboration with the welfare section of custodial institutions, in providing social 
   work service for the inmates and facilitating links with the outside world.

- To work with offenders before and after their release from institutions with the aim of 
   assisting in their rehabilitation.

- To participate in programmes with detainees about to be released from penal institutions 
   so as to make them realise what is expected of them in society after they are out.

- To take positive and preventive measures that involve the full mobilisation of all possible  
   resources, including the family, volunteers and other community institutions, for the  
   purpose of promoting the well-being of the juvenile and the young adult among others with 
  a view to reducing the need for intervention under the law.

- To help families in which divorce or separation has left situations of conflict or need.

- To work, whenever possible, with other members of the community to prevent the 
   break-up of families and support parents, through their difficulties, so that separation does 
   not seem to be the only option.

  (iii)  Management

The Head Office of the Probation and After-Care Service is situated at the Probation Complex, Sir F.Herchenroder Street, Barkly, Beau-Bassin (Tel No. 466-2531).  Its direct responsibility together with its planning and development to meet the needs of society rest with the Commissioner, supported by the Deputy Commissioner and three Assistant Commissioners, with the assistance of the Principal and Senior Cadre.

Each District Court has a Probation Office

The Services we offer

1.   Social Enquiries 

Probation Officers are asked to carry out social enquiries and submit reports for various agencies in order to assist them in taking the most appropriate action with regard to specific problems.

Some of these agencies include:

• The Supreme Court

• The Intermediate and District Courts

• The Director of Public Prosecutions

• The Correctional and Rehabilitation Youth Centres Boards of Visitors

• The Parole Board

• The National Adoption Council

• International Social Services

2. Supervision and After-Care

The Service supervises the following categories of offenders: 

(a)  Probationers

(b)  Correctional Youth Centre Boys on After-Care

(c)  Rehabilitation Youth Centre Boys and Girls on
      After-Care

(d)  Parole Licencees

3.  ThroughCare 

The Probation Service started the Throughcare Service for inmates of the Rehabilitation Youth Centre in July 1996. As soon as an offender is admitted to the Rehabilitation Youth Centre for training and detention, he is helped by a Senior Probation Officer who acts as an essential link between the inmate and his family so as to facilitate rehabilitation.

4.  Institutional Care

The Probation and After-Care Service has two institutions under its management. The Probation Hostel for Boys is situated at Desvaux Street, Les Casernes, Curepipe (Phone No. 676-2438) and the Probation Home for Girls, at La Croix Street, Forest-Side (Phone No. 676-3534). They are semi-open institutions which cater for juveniles whose home conditions are unconducive, for their rehabilitation.

  5. "Suicide Prevention Unit"

This unit was set up in 1990 to offer supportive counselling to persons with suicidal tendencies. The unit is located on the Second floor, N.P.F. Building at Beau-Bassin and is staffed by a full-time Senior Probation Officer as well as a part-time psychologist. A Hot Line (466-5310) is operational during working days from 9.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m.

6.Counselling

Probation Officers are frequently called upon to carry out counselling work in connection with problems often related to a wide variety of family issues. These may include alimony requirements, child custody cases, battered women cases, premarital difficulties, child abuse, drug addiction, incest, as well as neighbour disputes.  Probation Officers at times seek the assistance of  Magistrates in dealing with difficult cases.

7.   Prevention

Preventive work, such as talks in Prisons (Pre Release Scheme),is performed by the Probation Service. Probation Officers also address students or members of the public whenever requests are made to the Service.  The aim is to sensitize young persons as well as adults on various current social problems.