(1) The court shall place the convicted person under the supervision and guidance of a probation officer for all or part of the operational period if this appears necessary to prevent him from committing offences.

(2) The court shall typically issue an order pursuant to subsection (1) above if it suspends a sentence of imprisonment of more than nine months and the convicted person is less than twenty-seven years of age.

(3) The probation officer shall offer assistance and care to the convicted person. In cooperation with the court he shall supervise the fulfilment of any conditions and directions as well as of any offers and assurances. He shall report on the way the convicted person is conducting himself, at intervals determined by the court. He shall inform the court as to serious or persistent violations of the conditions, directions, offers or assurances.

(4) The probation officer shall be appointed by the court. It may give him instructions concerning his functions under subsection (3) above.

(5) The functions of the probation officer shall be exercised on a full-time official or honorary basis.