A probation report is a document that provides antecedent about an individual who has been subjected to the criminal justice system to inform the court on whether or not to grant bond/bail including terms besides meting out a sentence. A probation report as the word suggests is generated by a Probation Officer. But some versions of the report are self-reported by the person on probation. A Probation Officer can only generate a report pursuant to an order from the court
The report details information with regard to the manner in which a particular offense was committed, the role played by the defendant, mitigating factors and the concluding recommendations from the Probation Officer. The reports further details views of the parties that were directly and indirectly affected by the offense including their recommendation on whether or not the subject can be smoothly reintegrated back into the society.