Reference no: EM133371596

Considered among the most important documents in the criminal justice field, the presentence investigation report (PSI) has been the central source of information to sentencing judges since the 1920s. Its original purpose was to provide information to the court on the defendant's personal history and criminal conduct in order to promote individualized sentencing. With the advent of more punitive sentencing policies in recent years, the PSI has become more offense focused and less individualized. Despite current trends, the PSI will likely remain a critical component of the American criminal justice system.

What factor (s) in your opinion explain why probation officers' recommendations are so highly correlated with actual sentences imposed by judges? Imagine yourself writing up a PSI report: What factors would you consider most important when interviewing a defendant?