reprimand

Definition of reprimand

Etymology

From French réprimande, from réprimer (“to repress”).

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ænd
• (US) (as a noun) IPA: /ˈɹɛp.ɹəˌmænd/, /ˈɹɛp.ɹəˌmɑnd/
• (US) (as a verb) IPA: /ˈɹɛp.ɹəˌmænd/, /ˈɹɛp.ɹəˌmɑnd/, /ˌɹɛp.ɹəˈmænd/, /ˌɹɛp.ɹəˈmɑnd/

Noun

reprimand (plural reprimands)

1. A severe, formal or official reproof; reprehension, rebuke, private or public.

Verb

reprimand (third-person singular simple present reprimands, present participle reprimanding, simple past and past participle reprimanded)

1. To reprove in a formal or official way.
   
   * 1983. Rosen, Stanley. Plato's Sophist: The Drama of Original & Image. South Bend, Indiana, USA: St. Augustine's Press. p. 62.
   He is struck by Antinous, who is in turn reprimanded by one of the “proud young men” courting Penelope.

See also

• rebuke
• reprehension

Further reading

A reprimand is a severe, formal or official reproof. Reprimanding takes in different forms in different legal systems, such as in UK law.

UK

In the UK, anybody above the ages of 10 can receive a reprimand. It is a formal verbal warning given by a police officer to a young person who admits they are guilty of a minor first offence. To receive a reprimand, the young person must have admitted the offence and shown that they are sorry for the harm that may have been caused.

The police will pass on the details to the local Youth Offending Team (YOT) who may contact the young person's parents or carers and talk about the young person, their family and the events that led up to the reprimand.

Sometimes the young person can be referred to the YOT to take part in a voluntary programme to help them address their offending behaviour.

Once the young person has been bailed from the Police Station, they will have been given a date and a time to return to a "Restorative Justice Clinic" (RJ Clinic) to receive a Reprimand or Final Warning from a specially trained officer. The purpose of this is to discuss what happened, why it happened and also to find out how the person can repair any harm that has been caused. The officer will also discuss ways to dissuade any future reoffending.

The RJ Clinic usually takes place at the local Police Station. The parents or carers will also be expected to attend.

The young person does not have to accept advice or YOT assistance. Any activity or assistance offered by the YOT is voluntary.

If the young person breaks the law again, they will more than likely be sent to the Youth Court. This can lead to them being found guilty and sentenced.

The One Minute Reprimand will be also very effective and will influence an employee in the work place. Reprimands and Final Warnings are a statutory disposal, created by sections 65-66 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to replace cautions for offenders aged 17 and under. Guidance on the scheme is available for Police and Youth Offending Teams through joint Home Office/Youth Justice Board guidance published in November 2002.