INTEGRATION OF PROBATION SUBJECT PROFILING: CRIMINOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Author (s): Lazarenko A.

Work place:

Lazarenko A.,

Candidate of Legal Sciences, Associate Professor,

Associate Professor of the Department

of Criminal-Executive and Criminal Law,

Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine, Chernihiv, Ukraine

ORCID: 0000-0003-3808-6711

Language: Ukrainian

Criminal Executive System: Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. 2026. № 1 (19): 61–71

https://doi.org/10.32755/sjcriminal.2026.01.061

Summary

The article investigates the theoretical foundations and practical aspects of probation subject profiling in Ukraine, focusing on the need to integrate criminological and psychological approaches. The relevance of the study is driven by persistently high recidivism rates among probation subjects, insufficient individualisation of probation interventions, and the absence of a scientifically grounded integrative model that systematically combines psychological diagnostics with criminological analysis of the determinants of criminal behaviour.

The article reveals the essence of probation subject profiling as a dynamic process of constructing an individual profile of risks, needs, and personal resources – fundamentally distinct from general criminological offender profiling in its corrective rather than identificatory character. It is established that current profiling practice is implemented primarily through a risk-oriented approach based on actuarial assessment tools which, despite conforming to the Risk-Need-Responsivity model, does not ensure full consideration of the individual psychological characteristics of the person.

A critical analysis of probation programmes approved by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine reveals a characteristic methodological contradiction: the cognitive-behavioural component is delivered in a modular intervention format without systematic psychological diagnostics, while the criminological component remains fragmented. It is argued that the absence of a conceptualised integrative model constitutes the key constraining factor limiting the effectiveness of probation practice. Priority directions for further research are identified, including the development of a multi-level integrative profiling model combining criminological typology, risk assessment, and in-depth psychological diagnostics of probation subjects.

Key words: profiling, crime prevention, probation, probation subjects, criminological profiling, psychological profiling, criminality, criminal offence, psychological analysis, criminogenic phenomena.

 

References

 

  1. Ukraine (2024), On Probation : Law of Ukraine dated 5 February 2015 No. 160-VIII, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Kyiv, аvailable at: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/160-19#Text (аccessed 25 January 2026).
  2. Bohatyrov, I. (2025), “Conceptual foundations of probation as a socio-legal institution in Ukraine and its preventive activities”, Probation: 10 years of changes and achievements : collective monograph, Anishchenko, V. O., Bohatyrov, I. H., Volevakha, I. B. et al., Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine, Chernihiv, pp. 27–41.
  3. Bohatyrova, O. I. (2014), Probation in Ukraine: Humanization of state policy in the field of execution of criminal punishments : аbstract of the Doctor of Law dissertation, Kyiv.
  4. Kaliuga, K. V. (2019), “Profiling as a modern means of establishing the identity of the offender”, Subcarpathian Law Herald, Iss. 1 (26), Vol. 2, pp. 156–159.
  5. Andrews, D. A., Bonta, J. and Wormith, J. S. (2011), “The Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model: Does adding the Good Lives Model contribute to effective crime prevention?”, Criminal Justice and Behavior, № 7 (38), pp. 735–755, аvailable at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854811 406356 (аccessed 25 January 2026).
  6. Grove, W. M. and Meehl, P. E. (1996), “Comparative efficiency of informal (subjective, impressionistic) and formal (mechanical, algorithmic) prediction procedures: The clinical-statistical controversy”, Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 293–323, аvailable at: https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8971.2.2.293 (аccessed 25 January 2026).
  7. Ostapchuk, L. H. (2025), “Probation programmes as a tool for influencing offences in order to ensure public safety”, Probation: 10 years of changes and achievements : collective monograph, Anishchenko, V. O., Bohatyrov, I. H., Volevakha, I. B. et al., Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine, Chernihiv, pp. 81–104.
  8. Melnyk, L., Pukha, K. and Zhuravel, T. (2019), Overcoming aggressive behavior : methodological guide for a probation programme, Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, Kyiv.
  9. Ukraine (2024), On approval of probation programmes “Change of pro-criminal thinking” for juvenile and adult probation subjects : Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 23 May 2024 No. 1537/5, аvailable at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D4767YxxyrYcnI7Hvtk1HlZn96-wvD2I/view (аccessed 25 January 2025).
  10. Zhuravel, T., Korolenko, O., Melnyk, L., Pukha, K. and Stroieva, N. (2019), Formation of life skills : methodological guide for a probation programme for adults, Kyiv.
  11. Zhuravel, T., Melnyk, L. and Stroieva, N. (2023), Overcoming domestic violence : methodological guide for a probation programme, Kyiv.

[collapse]

Read more

©2026. Penitentiary academy of Ukraine