Multi-Site Survey of Victims of Crime and Criminal Justice Professionals Across Canada

Appendix C: Interview Guides and Self-Administered Questionnaires (continued)


Appendix C: Interview Guides and Self-Administered Questionnaires (continued)

Self-Administered Questionnaire for Survey of Probation Officers

  1. Who, if anyone, provides victims with the following information: (Check all that apply)
      Police Probation
    officers    		 Other
    (Specify)    		 No one to
    my knowledge    		 Don't know
    The offender's release on probation
    (date and location)    		 1 2 3 8
    The conditions of probation 1 2 3 8
    Any breaches of a condition of probation 1 2 3 8
    Proceedings for failure to comply with
    probation order (date and location)    		 1 2 3 8
    Outcome of failure to comply proceedings 1 2 3 8

  2. Do probation officers provide any other services to victims?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

    If yes, please describe the services



  3. Do provincial regulations require that you include recommendations on conditions in pre-sentence reports?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

  4. In pre-sentence reports, do you generally recommend that conditions for victim safety be placed on the offender?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

  5. In preparing pre-sentence reports, do you usually speak to victims?
    • 1 Yes, to all victims
    • 2 Yes, to victims who know their offender
    • 3 No
    • 8 Don't know

  6. How do probation officers ensure that conditions of probation are followed?


  7. Is restitution usually ordered as a Is restitution uscondition of probation in appropriate cases?
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

    If no, please explain



  8. If restitution is a condition of probation, please indicate whether you do any of the following:
      Yes No
    Remind the offender of the obligation to pay restitution 1 2
    Monitor the offender's payment of restitution 1 2
    Collect restitution payments 1 2
    Submit restitution payments directly to the victim or to someone acting on the victim's behalf 1 2
    Notify the court of failure to pay restitution 1 2

  9. Is restitution enforcement a concern or problem?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

    Please explain



    Questions 10 and 11 ask about victim impact statements. Please indicate "don't know" if you do not have sufficient personal experience to answer these questions.

  10. Do victims generally submit a victim impact statement for use in sentencing?(Check one)
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 Yes, in serious cases
    • 3 No
    • 8 Don't know

  11. In cases where no victim impact statement is submitted, do judges generally ask whether the victim is aware of the opportunity to prepare and submit a victim impact statement?
    • 1 Yes
    • 2 No
    • 8 Don't know

    Restorative justice considers the wrong done to a person as well as the wrong done to the community. Restorative justice programs involve the victim(s) or a representative, the offender(s), and community representatives. The offender is required to accept responsibility for the crime and take steps to repair the harm he or she has caused.

    • 12a. Have you ever participated in any restorative justice processes such as a healing circle, etc.?
      • 1 Yes
      • 2 No
      • 8 Don't know
    • 12b. If yes to Question 12a, please describe your involvement. (Please check all that apply)
      • 1 Make recommendations on outcome, including conditions on offender
      • 2 Monitor offender's compliance with conditions
      • 3 Other (please specify)
      • 4 Other (please specify)
      • 5 Other (please specify)
    • 12c. If no to Question 12a, why have you not participated in a restorative justice approach? (Check all that apply)
      • 1 Restorative justice approaches are not available
      • 2 Restorative justice approaches do not protect the victim adequately
      • 3 Restorative justice approaches do not act as a deterrent
      • 66 Other (Specify)

  13. Do you have any other comments?

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.
Please return the questionnaire by faxing it back to us toll-free at:

1-800-717-5456