Probation

Circular

DRUG REHABILITATION REFERENCE NO:

REQUIREMENTS: (1) NATIONAL 80/2005

STANDARDS CORRECTION; ISSUE DATE:

(2) INFORMATION FOR JUDGES 3 November 2005

IMPLEMENTATION DATE:
PURPOSE
To notify areas of: Immediate
• a correction to National Standards 2005 in relation to the frequency of
drug tests for some offenders on DRRs; and EXPIRY DATE:
• a request from District Judges for a copy of the original PSR for the November 2010
DRR/DTTO review hearing.
TO:
ACTION Chairs of Probation Boards
Areas should apply the revised standard with immediate effect and meet the Chief Officers of Probation
request from District Judges where possible. Secretaries of Probation Boards

SUMMARY CC:
National Standards Board Treasurers
The correction relates to National Standard SS8.12 and permits a reduction Regional Managers
in the frequency of drug testing in the first 16 weeks of a DRR from a
minimum of twice per week to once per week where: AUTHORISED BY:
• the offender is at the lowest level of the community sentence band or
Roger McGarva, Head of Regions
• where the offender is in residential rehabilitation. & Performance
The revised text of SS8.12 is attached. This is consistent with the guidance
issued with PC57/2005 on the effective management of the DRR.
ATTACHED:
There are no changes regarding minimum testing frequencies for offenders
N/A
in the medium and high community sentence bands.

Information for Judges

NPD has just completed a series of seminars with District Judges, who were
very supportive of the DTTO/DRR. They have, however, asked if they can
have a copy of the original PSR when they are given a copy of the report for
the review hearing. This was a particular problem for judges reading reports
from out of the area. It would be very helpful if areas sending review reports
to courts in outside areas could attach a copy of the original PSR.

RELEVANT PREVIOUS PROBATION CIRCULARS

PC 15/05: National Standards 2005
PC 57/05: The Effective Management of the Drug Rehabilitation
Requirement (DRR) and Alcohol Treatment

CONTACT FOR ENQUIRIES

Ed.Stradling@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
National Probation Directorate
Horseferry House, Dean Ryle Street, London, SW1P 2AW
 Testing
SS8.12 Offenders must be tested (and the results recorded) at least twice per week during the first
sixteen weeks of the requirement, which may be reduced to once per week thereafter if the
offender manager evidences that sufficient progress has been made. Where an offender is at
the lowest level of the community sentence band drug testing should be at a minimum
frequency of once per week during the first sixteen weeks of the requirement. In addition,
where an offender is in residential rehabilitation drug testing may be at a minimum frequency
of once per week for the first sixteen weeks of the requirement.

PC80/2005 – Drug Rehabilitation Requirements: (1) National Standards correction; (2) Information for Judges 2