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Probation Service facing 'budget and staffing crisis'

24/04/2008

The Probation Service is facing a budget crisis and a shortage of qualified frontline staff, a new report has said.

The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies published research today claiming the Service is currently struggling to cope and is facing the threat of budget cuts and privatisation.

The research highlights problems of rising caseloads, a shortage of qualified probation staff and an "endemic" problem of staff sickness and unpaid hours.

The thinktank claimed that since 2001, although the budget for the service has grown by 21 per cent in real terms, in 2005/06 it actually fell by nine per cent and two per cent in 2006/07.

It also said that probation caseloads have increased by 47 per cent since 1997.

Meanwhile, the number of fully qualified and trainee probation officers fell by nine per cent from 2002 to 2006, meaning the ratio of offenders to probation officers has grown from 31 to 39.

"There is a vacuum in knowledge about how much needs to be spent to meet increases in workload caused by rising numbers of community orders," the report said.

Dr Roger Grimshaw, research director at the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies said: "The statistics show there is no room for complacency about the Probation Service's capacity to meet the expectations of the courts and of the public.

"The budget has already fallen over the last two years and probation areas are having to consider reducing key staff in the face of rising needs."

Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary from Napo, the trade union who commissioned the report, said: "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."

In response, Justice minister Maria Eagle said: "Staff in the Probation Service do a valuable job, working effectively to cut re-offending and reduce the number of victims which is why the Government committed £40 million to the Service in March this year.

"On top of this funding an additional £17 million was also found for the Probation Service for 2008/2009. Areas have also had confirmation that they can carry over any money they did not spend last year.

"Along with other professions and in line with providing the tax payer value for money the Probation Service has modernised its workforce and brought in staff with a range of skills," Ms Eagle added.

"The report notes the significant increase in staff since 2001 including a 77 per cent rise in the number of probation services officers between 2002 and 2006.

"They make a significant contribution to front line work with offenders including the delivery of programmes.

"The Probation service is currently achieving 96 per cent of its target for accredited behaviour programmes and 117 per cent for unpaid work."