Okuzeka
Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Prisons, Probation & Parole

Probation

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/prəˈbeɪʃn/nounCore term

In criminal law & justice, probation means: A sentence or period in which an offender lives in the community instead of prison but must follow rules and meet regularly with a probation officer.

In Turkish: denetimli serbestlik, gözetim altında serbestlik

How it is used

Offenders are 'put on probation' or 'sentenced to probation'; breaking the conditions is a 'probation violation' (US) or 'breach' (UK). A 'probation officer' supervises them. In the UK the Probation Service also supervises people released from prison.

Example sentences

  1. Instead of prison, she was put on probation for two years.

  2. He has to see his probation officer every two weeks.

  3. Missing appointments can be treated as a breach of probation.

Common collocations

  • on probation
  • put on probation
  • probation officer
  • probation service
  • breach of probation
  • paroleEarly release of a prisoner before the end of the sentence, on condition that they obey certain rules; they can be sent back to prison if they do not.
  • community serviceUnpaid work that an offender must do for the local community, such as cleaning parks or repairing buildings, as a punishment instead of prison.
  • offenderA person who has committed a crime, especially one who has been convicted; the word is common in sentencing, prisons and probation.
  • suspended sentenceA prison sentence that the offender does not have to serve unless they commit another offence or break certain conditions during a set period.
  • rehabilitationThe process of helping an offender change their behaviour and return to a normal life without committing more crimes.

More terms: Prisons, Probation & Parole

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.