Probation service reaches breaking point

Shrinking budgets and a shortage of qualified frontline staff are pushing the probation service into crisis, experts claim.

Research by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies shows that probation caseloads increased by 23% between 2002 and 2006, and by 47% since 1997. Although acknowledging probation budgets have increased since 2001, the authors report resource shortfalls and the problems caused by more complex caseloads and a shortage of qualified probation staff.

Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary at Napo, says:

“The research confirms that the Probation Service is beyond capacity. The government can’t expect staff to supervise soaring caseloads without accepting the consequences of more re-offending and more victims. The service is at breaking point.”

Julian Broadhead, a probation officer for more than 20 years, says the introduction of generic working and abandonment of specialisms has left many experienced probation officers feeling de-skilled, and put the public at risk. “Probation officers are required to spend far too much time facing computer screens, ticking boxes and writing things about offenders they often barely know,” he adds.