“The origins of the modern presentencing investigation began in the 1840s, with the crusading efforts of Boston Shoemaker John Augustus (1841-1859). It was Augustus belief that the “object of the law is to reform criminals and to prevent crime, and not to punish maliciously or from a spirit revenge.” The presentence investigation report has been the central source of information to sentencing judges since the 1920s. The general purpose was to provide information to the court on the defendant’s personal history and criminal conduct in order to promote individualized sentencing.” Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice. (n.d.). Retrieved April 01, 2016, from http://www.cjcj.org/uploads/cjcj/documents/the_history.pdf …show more content…
In about half of the states, PSI report preparation is mandatory for all felony offenses convictions, while others factor may prompt PSI report preparation, such as when incarcerated for a year or longer is a possible sentence; when the offender is under 21 or 18 years of age; and when the defendant is a first time offender. In several states, statutes provide for mandatory PSI report preparation in any felony case where probation is a possible consideration. When probation is not a consideration, the PSI report preparation is sometimes optional or discretionary with the particular