Private PSIs are used for what purpose?

• A. Public dissemination
• B. Determining guilt
• C. Alternative planning
• D. Court reporting

Answer: (C)

Private PSIs are meant to inform sentencing decisions by outlining a plan for alternatives to incarceration. They gather information about the offender—their background, offense details, risks, needs, and available community resources—and translate that into concrete recommendations for how the court might structure supervision, treatment, or other non-custodial options. The goal is to tailor a sentence that protects the community while addressing underlying factors like substance use, mental health, or lack of employment, often through probation, specialized treatment, or community-based programs. This kind of report is typically confidential and used to guide the court’s decision, rather than to determine guilt or to publicly disseminate information.