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Criminal Justice Social Work Reports (CJSWRs)

Criminal Justice Social Work Reports (CJSWRs)

A Criminal Justice Social Work Report (CJSWR) formerly known as a Social Enquiry Report is a report prepared by Social Workers and is submitted on request from the sentencing Court.

The purpose of a CJSWR is to assist courts in determining the most appropriate disposal to impose on the offender. The report provides information on:

• personal background and circumstances of the offender;
• physical and mental health;
• alcohol or drug use;
• history of offending and response to previous disposals;
• attitude to current offence;
• assessment of risk of re-offending; and
• offers a preferred option ie monetary fine, probation etc, as to disposal.

A CJSWR is required before:

• a Community Payback Order can be imposed;
• a custodial sentence can be imposed on a person under 21 years of age;
• an individual can be sentenced to custody for the first time; and
• an individual under current social work supervision can be sentenced for a further offence.