Probation officers' role to be strengthened

The role played by probation officers will be further strengthened when the new law on probation is enacted shortly, Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said yesterday.

The new legislation would make it possible for the courts to sentence people to carry out community work in order to help criminals not only to rehabilitate but also integrate with society, he said.

Speaking to probation officers who had just completed an in-service training course organised by the Forensic Studies Institute at the university, Dr Borg said that probation officers currently handled about 500 cases.

There are five probation officers under the direction of two senior probation officers. The service will shortly be enhanced with the appointment of a number of people who have completed their university studies.

Next year, the institute will again take in students for a diploma course in probation services.