‘In probation, we’re poorly paid and the caseloads are unmanageable’ – The Guardian
‘Chris Grayling’s 2013 reforms have cost more, yet failed to cut reoffending or reduce staff shortages.’
The Guardian, 13th March 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
Category: probation
‘Dangerous’ part-privatisation of probation services costing taxpayers extra £467m, watchdog finds – The Independent
‘The number of criminals being sent back to prison for violating licence conditions has skyrocketed since the government’s “dangerous” part-privatisation of probation services, a watchdog has found.’
The Independent, 1st March 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
More than 200 criminals supervised by private probation firms charged with murder since 2014 – The Independent
‘Some 225 convicted criminals being supervised by private firms have been charged with murder since the probation service was overhauled in 2014, official figures show.’
The Independent, 27th February 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Abolishing short prison sentences will let ‘thousands of hardened criminals avoid jail’, report claims – The Independent
‘Ministers’ calls for short prison sentences to be abolished would see thousands of hardened criminals avoid jail, a report has claimed.’
The Independent, 25th February 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Private probation firms in Wales and south west in administration – BBC News
‘Private firms which manage thousands of offenders in Wales and south west England have gone into administration.’
BBC News, 15th February 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Kathleen Griffin death: Torture killer ‘could have been stopped’ – BBC News
‘A woman was tortured and killed by a man who authorities should have stopped from living with her, a report said.’
BBC News, 7th February 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Lord McNally: ‘We had to cut legal aid. It’s not a bottomless pit’ – The Guardian
‘The Lib-Dem peer says coalition cuts were necessary but have gone too far – people must be able to access justice.’
The Guardian, 30th January 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
Sex offenders put up in hotels as no space in bail hostels, says report – The Guardian
‘Sex offenders are being put up in high-street budget hotels without the knowledge of the proprietors or guests because spaces in closely monitored bail hostels are unavailable, inspectors have discovered.’
The Guardian, 24th January 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
Number of offenders recalled to prison surges following ‘disastrous’ probation reforms – The Independent
‘Ministers have been accused of pushing through “disastrous” probation reforms as it emerged the number of offenders recalled to prison for breaching bail conditions has surged by more than a quarter in four years.’
The Independent, 17th January 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Grayling under fire as serious crimes committed on parole soar by 50% – The Guardian
‘The number of rapes, murders and other serious crimes committed by offenders on parole has risen by more than 50% since reforms to probation were introduced four years ago, according to official data that has triggered calls for the government to rethink its plans for another shake-up of the service.’
The Guardian, 12th January 2018
Source: www.theguardian.com
Prison sentences: Charities and probation staff union welcome proposals – BBC News
‘Ministers are being warned that a proposal to scrap prison sentences of six months or less will only work if there is more investment in the probation services. The government says this approach in England and Wales’ prisons could reduce overcrowding and re-offending.’
BBC News, 12th January 2018
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
MoJ sets minimum standards to improve probation performance – Law Society’s Gazette
‘The government expects probation providers to offer monthly face-to-face meetings with offenders during the first year of supervision, the lord chancellor has told MPs concerned about the government’s approach to rehabilitation.’
Law Society's Gazette, 9th November 2018
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Number of supervised offenders charged with violent crimes rises 21% – The Guardian
‘The number of offenders charged with serious crimes including murder, manslaughter and rape while they were being monitored in the community has jumped by more than a fifth in a year in England and Wales, the Guardian can reveal.’
The Guardian, 14th October 2018
Source: www.theguardian.com
Private probation firms ‘put victims of abuse at risk’ – The Guardian
‘Tens of thousands of victims of domestic abuse and children are being put at further risk of harm by privatised offender supervision companies whose staff lack the skills, experience and time to supervise perpetrators, according to a new report.’
The Guardian, 25th September 2018
Source: www.theguardian.com
Private probation companies to have contracts ended early – The Guardian
‘The monitoring of offenders in the community faces another shake-up after disastrous reforms introduced by Chris Grayling forced the government to bail out failing private probation companies by more than half a billion pounds.’
The Guardian, 27th July 2018
Source: www.theguardian.com
Government must overhaul ‘mess’ of privatised probation system, inquiry finds – The Independent
‘The government must overhaul its “mess” of a botched programme to privatise probation that is failing against every measure and may threaten public safety, MPs have said.
An eight month inquiry by the Justice Committee found that the controversial Transforming Rehabilitation scheme had created a “two-tier” service seeing vital services outsourced to loss-making contractors.’
The Independent, 22nd June 2018
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Ex-offenders face bleak future after reforms fail, report says – The Guardian
‘Ex-offenders trying to turn their lives around face a bleak future, a probation inspector has warned, as ambitious government plans to boost the role of charities and volunteers in the probation service have failed to materialise.’
The Guardian, 17th April 2018
Source: www.theguardian.com
Worboys review: What we have learned – BBC News
‘Until the two-day judicial review hearing, very little was known about John Worboys’ 10 years’ in custody – and the reasons why the Parole Board granted his release.’
BBC News, 19th March 2018
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Staff without security clearance monitor offenders – BBC News
‘Staff without security clearance are being allowed to monitor high-risk offenders living in approved premises – commonly known as bail hostels or probation hostels – the BBC has learnt.’
BBC News, 5th March 2018
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Private probation companies letting convicts commit more crime and allowing them to disappear, report finds – The Independent
‘Private companies are failing to enforce the sentences handed down by courts, leaving convicts to commit more crime or simply disappear, a damning report has found. HM Inspectorate of Probation said firms commissioned in a 2014 overhaul of the service are “stretched beyond their capacity”.’
The Independent, 9th February 2018
Source: www.independent.co.uk
