Having just read Rajeev Syal’s article (Cut ‘unsustainable’ probation workload in England and Wales, urges watchdog, 22 July), I’m shaking my head in disbelief – again! All sensible commentators agree that the probation service is under severe workload pressures. Of course this must be addressed because of the implications this has for public protection, victims and the rehabilitation of offenders. Martin Jones, the chief inspector of probation, floats the idea of youth justice services soaking up some of the work. Has he uncovered a part of the public sector that is underworked and/or overresourced? No, he is simply passing the buck.
A brief review of the problem’s origins should help in looking forward. Chris Grayling decided that with all 35 probation areas marked “good” or better by his government’s system, privatising 70% of probation (later reduced to 50%) and allowing a small group of chancers to make a profit was a great idea. David Cameron and George Osborne allowed this flight of fancy to play out. And while probation did eventually get remodelled as a national service in 2021 (after the Tories reluctantly accepted the “plan” had not worked), it is now a cumbersome amalgam of 12 regions in England and Wales.
Probation was always best delivered as a local service, albeit with national oversight of standards and procedures. That’s what it needs to return to, with an increased input from local communities and appropriate resourcing – in which regard Shabana Mahmood’s recent announcement about training extra staff was very welcome.
Probation needs nurturing – it doesn’t need some of its work hived off elsewhere. All of us stand to benefit from a properly funded and trained national probation service delivered locally. No more half-baked solutions, please.
Mick Gough
Stoke-on-Trent
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