Introducing Pre-Sentence Reports in the Serbian Criminal Justice System: Comparative Experiences and Potential Benefits

The Serbian criminal justice system currently lacks pre-sentence reports, a tool widely adopted in jurisdictions like the UK, USA, and several EU countries to inform sentencing decisions and promote offender rehabilitation. This absence hinders the ability to deliver individualized and appropriate sentencing, while limiting the assessment of offenders’ risks and reintegration needs. This paper explores the concept of pre-sentence reports, drawing on international comparative experiences to evaluate their potential benefits for Serbia. By examining established practices in other countries, this study highlights how pre-sentence reports could improve sentencing outcomes, enhance rehabilitation efforts, and reduce the system’s heavy reliance on custodial sentences. Additionally, it outlines the reforms needed to align Serbia’s legal framework with modern restorative justice principles, offering insights into how the introduction of pre-sentence reports could contribute to a more effective and humane justice system.