This general probation program is intended for children in conflict with the criminal law, who have been released from criminal responsibility/sentencing and have been subject to an educational measure of restraint in the context of the legal provisions of the Criminal Code, i.e. the obligation of the minor to participate in a probation program, either as a court-imposed obligation in the context of other articles. For example, art. 90, 901 of the Criminal Code, which provide the conviction with a conditional suspension of the execution of punishment of the sentence and conviction with partial suspension of the execution of punishment with imprisonment, contain the obligation for the convicted person-participation in probation programs.
The program is structured in two content fields: moral and civic education and vocational training. Both fields are detailed on several thematic units that deepen aspects such as: personal development, moral reasoning, community involvement, problem solving, vocational identity, and career plan.
The length of the program is 6 months. The program consists of 22 sessions, organized in 9 modules within the 2 compartments, plus an introductory and a final session, altogether 24 sessions. The sessions developed contain compulsory but also optional sessions, the selection of issues to be approached by probation counsellors with minor beneficiaries will be at the discretion of the probation counsellor, taking into account the needs of each beneficiary of this probation program.
The application of the civic training component aims to make the minor aware of the legal and social consequences to which he/she is exposed in the event of committing offences and to make him/her responsible for his/her behaviour.
The second component of the program is the vocational identity of the minor focusing on the vocational self-assessment of the minor. The aim is to identify one's own abilities, perceptions, aptitudes, limits, but also to become aware of one's strengths and interests for professional development in relation to the actual level of knowledge or skills. The purpose of this module is to investigate the level of generic skills available to the minor in conflict with the law in order to secure his/her occupational environment.
The application of probation programs as an alternative to detention is a real opportunity to ensure the re-education and re-socialization of children who have committed less serious criminal offences, excluding the interaction of them with the criminal justice system.