09 April 2020
Probation Board For Northern Ireland - Covid Arrangements
PBNI have confirmed that they will continue to provide services to the Courts as required, albeit in a safe way, including provision of pre-sentence reports when requested. As PBNI seek to minimise face to face contact there will be occasions when their officers need to contact solicitors to obtain telephone numbers for clients.
Any Pre Sentence Reports [PSR] that were “pending” when the new Covid-19 business arrangements commenced will require a fresh PSR request in the future to ensure that any changes to circumstances, contact details etc are taken into account.
PBNI have temporarily put a hold on Community Service in order to comply with government instructions on social distancing. As a result PBNI will be required to seek an extension of some Community Service Orders/Combination Orders. There will be engagement with individual service users prior to doing this.
Please note that PBNI will continue to apply for warrants and license recalls for reasons of public safety where risks cannot be safely managed, and lodge summonses for breach of Orders for reasons of non-compliance.
Further updates will be provided when available.