Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill

Responsible officer

11.—(1) This section applies, for the purposes of this Part, in relation to a suspended sentence order made in respect of an offender which imposes one or more community requirements.

(2) The responsible officer, in relation to the offender, means the person who for the time being is responsible for—

(a) supervising the offender under the order, and

(b) carrying out the functions conferred by this Part on the responsible officer in accordance with arrangements made by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland.

(3) In subsection (2)(b), “the functions conferred by this Part” includes functions conferred in accordance with the provisions mentioned in section 8(1)(a) or (b).

(4) The responsible officer must be—

(a) a probation officer selected by the Probation Board, or

(b) a person appointed by the Probation Board.

Obligations of responsible officer

12.—(1) This section applies during the supervision period of a suspended sentence order which imposes any community requirement.

(2) The responsible officer must—

(a) make any arrangements that are necessary in connection with the requirements imposed by the order, and

(b) promote the offender's compliance with those requirements.

(3) This is subject to paragraphs 4(5) and 5(5) of Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (in-patient treatment for a mental or drug or alcohol dependency).

(4) The responsible officer must also ensure, as far as practicable, that any instruction given or requirement imposed by the responsible officer is such as to avoid—

(a) any conflict with the offender's religious beliefs,

(b) any conflict with the requirements of any other court order to which the offender may be subject, and

(c) any interference with the times, if any, at which the offender normally—

(i) works, or

(ii) attends any educational establishment. 

Duty of offender to keep in touch with responsible officer

13.—(1) This section applies during the supervision period of a suspended sentence order which imposes one or more community requirements.

(2) The offender must keep in touch with the responsible officer in accordance with such instructions as the responsible officer may give the offender.

(3) The offender must notify the responsible officer of any change of address.

(4) The obligations in this section are enforceable as if they were community requirements imposed by the suspended sentence order.