Exploring the production and utilisation of pre-sentence reports (PSRs) in the youth justice system

Research is required to understand how we can ensure bail package reports (BPRs) and pre-sentence reports (PSRs) provide appropriate and high-quality assessments of all children and are used effectively by the judiciary when making remand and sentencing decisions. We also need to understand whether there are any commonalities in how BPRs and PSRs are produced and used that are associated with community and custodial outcomes. This is important for preventing unnecessary custodial remands and sentences and ensuring cohorts of children are not disproportionally affected.