10-point plan: crisis-ready non-custodial sanctions and measures

Probation agencies and others supporting the use and implementation of non-custodial sanctions and measures have been significantly impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures adopted by criminal justice systems and governments in combatting the spread of the virus in prisons and communities at large. While the focus has often been on mitigating the extreme risk of contagion in detention settings, the adopted emergency and early release measures, broadened use of alternatives to imprisonment and restrictions on movement, in-person meetings and community services has posed challenges to probation work and shifted needs and risks for both probation staff and clients.  

Based on research into the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on probation in Europe, Central Asia and South Caucasus, PRI has developed the 10-point plan for Crisis-ready non-custodial sanctions and measures, a tool that offers probation leadership, practitioners, policy makers and others involved in the delivery of non-custodial sanctions and measures across the world evidence-based and practical guidance on building and strengthening services that are flexible, non-discriminatory and better able to respond to and adapt in the face of crises.   

This tool was produced with the financial support of the International Penal and Penitentiary Foundation (IPPF) as part of the project ‘Addressing gaps in the implementation and management of alternatives to imprisonment and post-release support during the COVID-19 global pandemic.’ The project received IPPF funding in support of the Foundation’s goal to ensure that criminal justice systems equitably and effectively deal with the impact of COVID-19 on offenders who are in either custodial or non-custodial settings.