Contact with justice services

Support with the youth justice service, criminal justice, custody and probation.

What probation is

If you are over 18 you may be known to Probation. This means you’re serving your sentence but you’re not in prison.

You could be put on probation because:

  • you’re serving a community sentence
  • you have been released from prison on licence or on parole

While on probation, you may have to:

  • do unpaid work
  • complete an education or training course
  • get treatment for addictions, like drugs or alcohol
  • have regular meetings with an ‘offender manager’

Find your local probation office on gov.uk