Probation Supervision

The main objective of probation supervision is to make society safer by applying alternatives to imprisonment. Setting such a goal is based on the precondition that a person who has committed an offence may be left at liberty if in addition to supervision over the person measures are applied to change the person’s criminogenic behaviour. Probation supervision consists of two parts: supervision and assistance in social adjustment. The said measures contribute to reducing repeated offences, thus increasing the security of society.

The system of probation supervision was introduced on  May 1st 1998. Probation supervision departments located in county and city courts, which may be divided into regional divisions, perform probation supervision work.

There are 14 probation supervision departments in Estonia with around 190 probation officers whose work is to ascertain the risk of committing a new criminal offence by the probationer, plan along with the probationer measures to avoid a new criminal offence. All this in cooperation with state agencies, local government structural units and non-profit associations.

A candidate for probation officer is expected to have higher education (preferably in the social domain), skills for work with persons sentenced by court and have stress tolerance. Voluntary probation officers who perform work in their free time without receiving remuneration shall be engaged in probation supervision as well.