Probatie

Probatie, or probation in English, is a non-custodial sanction in criminal justice that allows a convicted person to remain in the community under supervision for a defined period. It can be ordered as an alternative to imprisonment or as a condition of release after part of a sentence has been served. The aim is to promote rehabilitation, reduce reoffending, and preserve the offender’s connections to work, family, and community.

A probation plan is typically determined by a court and administered by a probation service or officer. Conditions commonly include regular reporting to a supervising officer, staying within a prescribed residence, complying with curfews, participating in treatment or education programs, undergoing drug or alcohol testing, and paying restitution or fines. The person’s compliance is monitored, and support services such as counseling, job placement, or skills training may be provided.

If conditions are violated, authorities may revoke probation, extend the supervision period, or impose the original sentence in full or in part. In many jurisdictions, probation can function as an alternative to imprisonment or as post-release supervision following custody.

Etymology: Probation derives from the Latin probatio, meaning a test or proof; in some languages the term appears as probatie or probation.

History: The concept emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries in various English-speaking and other jurisdictions and has since been adopted worldwide in forms tailored to local legal frameworks and social services.

See also: Conditional sentence, community service, restorative justice.