A Brave New Probation World

Those of us that heard the cobbler delivering the Bill McWilliams lecture in Cambridge recently were struck by two things, his lack of understanding of the probation ethos and his complete awe for everything AI. Well folks, you need to get your head around what he has planned for us, a bright future based on technology and super computers. We all know how good the MoJ track record is with information technology, so what could possibly go wrong?

AI action plan for justice

Published 31 July 2025

Foreword by Lord Timpson

The Prime Minister, the Lord Chancellor, and I are committed to creating a more productive and agile state - one in which AI and technology drive better, faster, and more efficient public services.

That is why I am delighted to introduce the AI Action Plan for Justice - a first-of-its-kind document outlining how we will harness the power of AI to transform the public’s experience, making their interactions with the justice system simpler, faster, and more tailored to their needs.

This plan focuses on three priorities: strengthening our foundations, embedding AI across justice services, and investing in the people who will deliver this transformation. It aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision to build digital and AI capability across government and supports our departmental priority of delivering swift access to justice.

Since joining the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in July 2024, I have seen real opportunities for AI to improve the working lives of our frontline staff and colleagues - and clear evidence of where it is already making a difference.

I am proud to represent a department that is fundamentally rethinking its use of technology to improve outcomes for the public and contribute to wider economic growth.

I will continue to champion our ambition for the MOJ to lead the way in responsible and impactful AI adoption across government.

This plan marks a crucial first step in delivering that ambition.

James Timpson
Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending
Lead Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Minister for AI

Executive summary

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform our justice system in England & Wales and deliver our ministerial priorities. AI shows great potential to help deliver swifter, fairer, and more accessible justice for all - reducing court backlogs, increasing prison capacity and improving rehabilitation outcomes as well as victim services. But this opportunity must be seized responsibly, ensuring that public trust, human rights, and the rule of law remain central and AI risks are carefully managed.

This AI Action Plan for Justice sets out the Ministry of Justice’s approach to responsible and proportionate AI adoption across courts, tribunals, prisons, probation and supporting services (referred to here as the justice system). It has been developed in consultation with the independent judiciary and legal services regulators and we will implement it in collaboration with our wider justice sector partners such as the Home Office, the Crown Prosecution Service and our trade unions. It complements wider government efforts to safely modernise public services and builds on the UK’s global strengths in legal services, data science, and AI innovation.

We will focus on three strategic priorities:

1. Strengthen our foundations

We will enhance AI leadership, governance, ethics, data, digital infrastructure and commercial frameworks. A dedicated Justice AI Unit led by our Chief AI Officer will coordinate the delivery of the Plan, with critical input from our Data Science, Digital and Transformation teams. A cross-departmental AI Steering Group provides oversight and an AI and Data Ethics Framework, and communications plan will promote transparency and engagement.

2. Embed AI across the justice system

We will deliver more effective services across citizen-facing, operational and enabling functions alike. By applying a “Scan, Pilot, Scale” approach, we will target high-impact use cases. These include:

• Reducing administrative burden with secure AI productivity tools including search, speech and document processing (e.g. transcription tools that allow probation officers to focus on higher-value work).
• Increasing capacity through better scheduling (e.g. prison capacity).
• Improving access to justice with citizen-facing assistants (e.g. enhancing case handling and service delivery in our call centres).
• Enabling personalised education and rehabilitation (e.g. tailored training for our workforce and offenders).
• Supporting better decisions through predictive and risk-assessment models (e.g. predicting the risk of violence in custody).

3. Invest in our people and partners

We will invest in talent, training and proactive workforce planning to accelerate AI adoption and transform how we work. We will also strengthen our partnerships with legal service providers and regulators to support AI-driven legal innovation and with our criminal justice partners on our collective response to AI-enabled criminality.

We are ready to deliver. AI rollout is already underway with encouraging early results. Initial funding is secured, with additional backing anticipated as we demonstrate impact. As AI technologies mature, we will refine our approach and plan based on real-world outcomes, evaluation, and feedback from staff, trade unions, partners, and the public. We are committed to acting boldly, learning rapidly, and ensuring AI adoption delivers real improvements. Together, these priorities will ensure AI is embedded in our services and transformation programmes, supported by the right foundations, and driven by a productive and agile workforce.

Case study: Using machine learning to create a single offender identity

Having a single, consistent ID for each offender is critical to making better-informed decisions across the justice journey. Fragmented and inconsistent data across different services has made it challenging to track an individual’s journey.

We are building a real-time system linking offender data across agencies to provide a single, consistent view. This tackles longstanding issues with duplication and missing data that can compromise sentencing and rehabilitation.

The system uses Splink, open-source data linking software developed by MOJ data scientists. It applies explainable machine learning to deduplicate records and ensure accuracy. This single view will reduce admin burden, support better decision-making, and enable more advanced AI tools to enhance public safety and rehabilitation outcomes.

2.1.2 Accelerate insight with AI-powered search and knowledge retrieval

Justice system staff often rely on large volumes of unstructured information, including operational procedures, policy documents, case records or legal precedents but traditional search tools struggle to surface what’s most relevant. AI-powered semantic or hybrid search understands meaning, context, and language variation, helping users quickly find the critical information they need.

Unlike standard keyword searches, semantic search understands context, meaning, and relationships between concepts. For example, prison officers could quickly review offender notes to identify risk indicators or rehabilitation opportunities, and caseworkers could swiftly locate relevant guidance or evidence, saving valuable time and improving decision-making.

This ultimately will reduce the time spent manually searching through lengthy documents, so staff can spend more time making informed decisions, and providing better support to those they serve.

As resources allow, we will scale these tools across justice services to reduce inefficiencies, speed up decision-making, and improve frontline service delivery.

Case study: Smarter searches for probation staff

Finding the right information quickly is critical in probation work, yet traditional keyword searches often fall short. Staff were spending time experimenting with different keywords to locate case details, leading to frustrating “search flurries.”

To solve this, MOJ Data Science introduced semantic search in the Probation Digital System (launched June 2025), powered by a Large Language Model (LLM). This AI-driven tool understands context, meaning, and variations in language such as recognising synonyms, misspellings, abbreviations, and acronyms. As a result, staff now receive more relevant results from their very first search, reducing search time and improving decision-making.

This AI-driven improvement reduces search time, enhances decision-making, and allows probation officers to spend more time focusing on offender rehabilitation, risk management, and community safety.

2.1.3 Use speech and translation AI to free frontline staff from admin burdens

Frontline staff spend significant time transcribing meetings and documenting interactions. This is time that could be better spent engaging with people and managing risk. We are piloting AI transcription and summarisation tools in probation services in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Wales to reduce this administrative load and improve the quality of recorded interactions.

Case study: Scanning for solutions to support probation officers with notetaking

In probation services, officers dedicate valuable time to writing case notes, which impacts their capacity to focus on rehabilitative work with offenders. High caseloads mean Probation Officers sometimes struggle to find the time to evidence and analyse complex conversations with People on Probation in a sufficiently detailed and consistent format. We are piloting AI-powered transcription and summarisation tools across probation services in Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Wales.

Early results are very encouraging, with the tool reducing note-taking time by 50% and earning a 4.5/5 satisfaction score from officers. Freed-up time is being used for more meaningful work, better engagement, analysis, and decision-making while improving job satisfaction and reducing stress. In short, the tool is already boosting capacity, service quality, and staff morale.

Who Is The Audience?

This from Napo published yesterday in the house magazine, but it's surely not for internal consumption is it?

They don’t wear uniforms. But they keep you safe every day.

Probation staff manage some of society’s most dangerous offenders – but they're being paid less than prison and police colleagues. As staff walk away, the cracks in public protection are growing. This is a crisis. If government won’t act, probation workers will. And you’ll feel the impact.

Respect Probation. Pay Probation.

You probably don’t know the name of any of your local probation officers. But they might be the only reason the man who served time for domestic abuse – who now lives three doors down – hasn’t hurt anyone again. You rarely see them on the front pages. But they are there, quietly working late, managing the release of someone convicted of serious sexual violence back into the community, ensuring conditions are tight, victims are protected, and risks are controlled.

Probation staff don’t wear uniforms. They don’t chase headlines. But they are the last line of defence between high-risk offenders and the public. And now, they’re walking towards the edge as ballot papers are currently landing on their doormats.

A service in crisis is a risk to us all

These are the people who:

• Supervise individuals convicted of rape, stalking, terrorism, and child abuse
• Monitor those released early from overcrowded prisons
• Intervene when people spiral back into violence
• Spend their days surrounded by trauma, navigating risk, and making life-or-death judgement calls

And they’re doing it on pay that in many cases qualifies them for universal credit. Many are now turning to food banks. Some are walking away altogether. Would you trust a system like that to keep your family safe?

Public safety shouldn’t be this fragile

Since 2010, probation staff have lost around 60% of their pay in real terms. One in five have used a food bank in the past year. Over 103,000 working days were lost last year to stress-related illness. Meanwhile, workloads have exploded. Experienced staff are leaving in droves. New recruits are being thrown in at the deep end.

While police staff received pay rises of 20%, and prison officers saw 16.8% increases in recent years, probation workers were handed just 9.9%.

The government has found ways to reward others in the justice system – and rightly so – but probation is always last in line. This is despite the fact that probation staff are now picking up the slack caused by overcrowded prisons and rising police workloads. The people expected to carry the burden of everyone else’s crisis are being paid the least to do it. And the public? You’re being told the justice system is working while it quietly crumbles around you.

Probation doesn’t make the news until it fails

Probation only hits the headlines when something goes wrong. When someone is murdered.
When a high-profile case is mismanaged. When the question on every journalist’s lips is: “Why wasn’t this stopped?” The answer is often the same: the risk wasn’t picked up, or wasn’t followed up, because there weren’t enough staff. Because someone was covering 60+ cases. Because the system was at breaking point.

You don’t see the hundreds of success stories every day. The people turned away from crime, the plans carefully managed, the victims kept safe. But if probation staff walk, if the government keeps refusing to invest, those success stories will stop. And you will feel it. In your community. On your street.

This is about survival for all of us

Probation isn’t just about punishing people after they commit crimes. It’s about stopping them doing it in the first place. It’s about rehabilitation. Risk. Prevention. It’s the difference between a near-miss and a national scandal. And right now, it’s being run on the fumes of goodwill.

The people who do this work are voting on whether to take industrial action. Not because they want to walk out but because they have no other choice.They’ve tried being patient. They’ve tried explaining. They’ve been promised recognition, reward, and respect. What they’ve received is silence.

The government knows what’s coming. Do you?

The prisons are full. Police are overstretched. And the government is relying on probation staff to carry the burden. But probation staff are saying: enough. This is not just a warning from workers. It’s a warning for the public. The justice system cannot function without them. And public safety depends on their ability to do their jobs. They are protecting you. But who is protecting them?

Follow Napo’s probation pay campaign here: https://www.napo.org.uk/respect-probation-pay-probation

Grieving

The following came in yesterday and I think it's worth highlighting, especially given the amount of space devoted recently to high profile positive pieces. I have a feeling the sentiments expressed are widely held:-

"Where do you start with all the issues that are finally “rising to the surface and smelling really off” in the wreck of the Probation Service we now work in?

Staying until I can retire in a few years time is an impossibility for me. For a number of years I have found myself wanting to spend more time in face to face interviews, using my supervision skills to avoid repetitive endless bureaucracy. Unfortunately sitting for endless hours in front of a computer is clearly essential in order to cover your backside as an employee when something inevitably goes wrong.

I know I am a dinosaur in an organisation that is now asked to mirror, but play second fiddle to the police and the prison system. My working day makes me feel missused by my employers and absolutely pointless in face to face work as the current approach we must take nearly always “pokes the bear”. Anger or weary resignation and lack of respect for probation being the inevitable outcome. It is exhausting running at that brick wall.

Regarding the pay review, NAPO needs to learn to hunt cleverly and stop posturing at their members (I am a long term member) expense- previous strikes where I picketed produced very little and wages were forfeited by operational staff.

As for becoming a registered practitioner, there is a consensus around experienced colleagues I know that it is just another way to make operational staff more responsible when things go wrong. Thus allowing management to get staff struck off the register, then naming and shaming them by publicising what decisive action they have taken.

I have finished grieving for the service I knew.

Isn’t it about time the employers considered putting staff in uniform to complete the full integration into HMp(probation)PS. Don’t expect too much natural fibre content as that would be an expense too far….Mind you there is an attractive probation pin available for Registered staff to place on a shirt lapel or pocket."

Not Just Befriending!

Many thanks to the reader for pointing us in the direction of the following from SkyNews Money team last month:-

'My job has made me cry and feel anxious - but I genuinely believe we make a difference': Life as a probation officer

Dreaming of a new career? Sam Gildersleeve talks to our Money team about the realities of being a probation officer.

If you've ever spent your morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you. Each Monday, our Money team speaks to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like. This week we chat to senior probation officer Sam Gildersleeve...

The starting salary depends on your role... To become a probation officer, you need to complete the trainee probation officer programme, known as the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP). The starting salary for a PQiP is £26,475 (or £30,724 with the London weighting of £4,249). Once qualified, your salary rises to £35,130. With experience, you can apply for promotion to a senior probation officer role.

The PQiP programme... combines classroom learning with hands-on experience in the role. You're paid while you train, and you receive protected study time. Depending on your qualifications, the programme can take 15, 21 or 27 months. Once qualified, you'll be registered as a probation officer and added to the Probation Professional Register. This recognises your competence in managing risk and supporting rehabilitation with the right knowledge, skills, and professionalism.

There are also many other roles... within the probation service, including probation services officers, victim liaison officers, programme facilitators, unpaid work supervisors, case administrators, receptionists, and staff working in approved premises and prisons.

I manage a team of 13 staff... including probation officers and probation support officers. I'm responsible for overseeing risk management and ensuring we work closely with partner agencies like children's services, the police, mental health teams, housing providers, and prisons to manage risk effectively. A big part of my role involves performance management and providing supervision to my team - helping them reflect on their caseloads and professional development. I really enjoy supporting my team to grow in confidence and ability.

Our team currently oversees... more than 400 people on probation.

I work 37 hours a week... Monday to Friday. I'm not personally on call, although some senior probation officers provide out-of-hours cover for approved premises. As a probation officer, you may work later in the evening to accommodate people on probation who are working during the day.

The camaraderie really depends on... the day - some days are busier than others. But we do socialise as a team, especially for birthdays or celebrations. We work in a challenging environment, but the support and humour within the team make a real difference.

I haven't made any solid plans to retire... I still feel too young to think seriously about retirement! I'd like to keep working as long as I can, maybe part-time eventually. We're part of the Local Government Pension Scheme, which is a great benefit. The employer contributes 26.5%, and I contribute 6.5%. It's a very generous scheme and gives peace of mind for the future.

In terms of perks... we get between 25 and 30 days paid annual leave a year, according to length of service, if you are a full-time employee. We're eligible for a Blue Light Card, which gives you discounts at loads of places. You can also win free tickets to events. We have access to wellbeing and counselling services, free physiotherapy (which really helped when I ran the London Marathon), health MOTs, eye care vouchers, and MoJ rewards like free drinks from Cafe Nero or Greggs. There are probably perks I haven't even discovered yet.

I haven't ever felt scared... but occasionally I feel anxious - which I think is healthy. You're often meeting people in challenging situations, so being cautious and prepared is important. I always treat people with respect, explain the purpose of appointments clearly, and listen. That often diffuses tension.

The scariest situation was when... a person on probation with complex mental health needs, homelessness, and substance misuse became very aggressive when I asked him to complete a drug test - a condition of his licence. He threw a bottle and became verbally threatening, and was asked to leave. He later waited outside the office for me. It was frightening, but I was fully supported by my manager, who arranged a safe journey home and provided a personal alarm. The incident was reported to police, and safety measures were put in place. I was reassured and able to carry on with my job.

Of course there are days when I don't want to go in... just like any job. But I do really enjoy my role. It's busy and at times intense, but I genuinely believe in the service and what we do. That belief keeps me motivated.

The most rewarding part of my job now is... seeing my team develop and succeed. But when I was a probation officer, it was supporting people to change.

I worked with a young man involved in drug dealing after being groomed by a gang. On release from prison, we built a personalised risk management plan together. He was housed safely and found a job, away from his old contacts. Over time, he grew in confidence and completed his sentence without being recalled for the first time. At his final appointment, he simply said: "Thanks for believing in me." That meant everything.

Most people don't really know... what a probation officer does. They're usually curious and interested, and often say: "I couldn't do that." I'm always happy to explain the role and share how much good the service does.

The biggest misconception is... that we're just there to befriend people on probation. People don't see the behind-the-scenes work to manage risk and protect the public. Probation is often invisible in the media - unlike the police, courts, or prisons. There's no TV drama or documentary that really captures what we do. Maybe there should be!

The job can be... unpredictable. Things crop up that can change your day. But the team is incredibly supportive. People always help each other out when needed, which makes a big difference.

The job has made me cry... though, it's rare and usually depends on the situation. While I have cried before, I don't see this as a weakness, and it was mostly due to frustration at feeling that perhaps I wish there was more that I could do to help an individual. We're all human, and that's part of caring about the work we do. There is a great support network within the probation service, mainly from colleagues that are always willing to support.

One moment that stands out is... when I was working with a young man involved in domestic abuse. He reflected on how his actions had wider impacts - the "ripple effect.". Later, he told me he'd felt angry during an argument but remembered our conversations and chose to walk away and kick a football instead. That insight and self-control showed real progress.

The reason people reoffend varies but... common reasons include a lack of stability, poor housing, unemployment, substance misuse, mental health issues, and limited support networks. It's rarely just one issue.

This role is for people who are... resilient, empathetic, and curious. You'll face complex, often challenging situations, and need to make decisions that affect lives and protect the public. No two days are the same. You'll work with people at their lowest points, and will need to build trust to help them change.

The probation service values... diversity. We want to reflect the communities we serve. If you bring life experience, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to learn, this could be the career for you. Visit our website to find out more - and who knows, maybe I'll meet you one day!

New Recruits

I'm guessing some regular readers will have noticed the blog has been undergoing a bit of a resurgence of late and the sharp-eyed might have noticed that having gently passed 10 million towards the end of last year, we've sailed past 11 and 12 million in no time at all and are now making rapid progress towards 13 million. I wish this meant something, but sadly a bit of analysis shows the bulk of traffic as coming from Vietnam and unlikely to be real readers but rather 'bots' for some purpose or other. Despite this, I do detect a bit of engagement with real readers and contributors, for which I'm very grateful and especially given the parlous state probation currently finds itself in. 

A recent wag wryly pointed out the following:- 

1000 new probation officers. That old chestnut!

2025: 1,300 new probation officers to be recruited next year
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/probation-service-to-cut-crime-by-focusing-on-dangerous-offenders

2024: Prisons crisis: Probation Service to get 1,000 extra trainee officers
https://www.civilserviceworld.com/news/article/prisons-crisis-probation-service-to-get-1000-extra-trainee-officers

2023: We have hired a record 4,000 probation officers since 2021
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66431061.amp

2022: 1,500 new probation officers to protect the public
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/1-500-new-probation-officers-to-protect-the-public

2021: One thousand probation officers recruited to protect the public
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-thousand-probation-officers-recruited-to-protect-the-public

2020: Public safety boosted with 1,000 new probation officers
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-safety-boosted-with-1-000-new-probation-officers

But of course some new recruits are coming through all the time and its been suggested that the following article by our recent essay winner and published in Probation Quarterly last December might be of particular interest to the new cohort of PQiP's:-

Probation and Community Supervision: A 'Magic' Journey

A good starting point to explain why I feel I have an informed opinion about probation and community supervision begins with my history and what brought me to a career as a supervisory practitioner in the Probation Service. I grew up in and around inner cities, and as with many places, there were varying experiences and influences. The reality was that crime, deprivation, disadvantage, and adversity were apparent. Still, there were opportunities, and positive influences from family, friends and existing or future graduates, professionals, community leaders, and so forth. I found that life was partly about choices and opportunities, and at times, we all navigate complex situations and circumstances. I think that when I learnt to do this for myself, I fell into a career in which I could help others to do this too. Subsequently, I trained as a probation officer approximately 21 years ago, so my HMPPS Long Service Medal is well overdue.

The work we do as probation practitioners relies on the belief that people can change and requires the building of good working relationships with people on probation. The probation supervision setting can provide a vital opportunity for individuals to be supported to identify, pursue, and review necessary or desired changes in their lives (Rex, 1999; Ministry of Justice, 2012). As a probation officer, I’ve seen first-hand what helps people to move away from offending and to change their lives for the better. I have learned that past behaviour is not the only predictor of future behaviour, because it is important to recognise current behaviour and future potential too (Hylton, 2014). Sometimes there isn’t any immediately observable or measurable success, and sometimes individuals reoffend. This is because changing behaviour and overcoming problems is rarely a straightforward development, where problematic behaviours and circumstances suddenly stop, and positive or desired ones will instantaneously follow (Hylton, 2015).

The key drivers of offending are yet to be fully understood at the individual level, as are the types of interventions that could be most effective (Home Office, 2018). Many will desist from offending after identifying or making changes which enable them to establish a position of stability, safety, and the building of social capital, therefore helping them to legitimately connect and reconnect with society (McNeill, 2006; Weaver and McNeill, 2007; Home Office, 2018). This can include personal, circumstantial, and situational factors such as maturity, education, homelessness, unemployment, finance, debt, mental health, addictions, relationships, and other factors that can be supported in principle (May, 1999).

Findings suggest that individuals supported by tailored interventions and access to specific services can be assisted to improve circumstances through professionals building open, trusting, and consistent relationships with them (Rex, 1999; Phillips et al, 2024). I’d like to see more of this ‘wrapping a package around the person’, and the development of collaborative supervisory and inter-agency approaches to meet needs, address risks and support desistance.

On Probation 

A former Regional Probation Director (Steve Johnson-Proctor) once said,

 “Never forget that the greatest source of support for any Probation worker is to be found in the enormous knowledge base of their colleagues’ shared experiences”.

Accordingly, to draw attention to the importance of supervisory probation practices and the impact they can have in supporting individuals and reducing reoffending, I’ve shared some examples of experiences working in supervisory settings, with a range of supervised individuals who have exhibited a variety of behaviours including serious violence, group offending and recidivism. These experiences have been anonymised, and their inclusion is undoubtedly selective, in accordance with my more memorable experiences, of which there are many.

Supervisee 1 was one of my earlier supervisory experiences, an older individual with a history of anti-social behaviour and a pattern of assaulting public-sector workers. I knew much of the theory but sat thinking about what to say to this person who, I assumed was different to me in so many ways. Yet, I found we were not that different. We spent weekly supervision meetings over the next year talking about their anger and behaviour triggers. I had learnt techniques from rehabilitation programmes and had access to an independent anger counsellor. I used the concepts in individual supervision sessions, ‘red flags, green flags’, ‘perspective taking’, ‘anger cues’, and ‘fact, opinion, guess’. My learning was to try simple methods, like talking and listening about the thoughts and feelings underlying the offending behaviour. This enabled the introduction of strategies they could use to calm and reinterpret emerging frustrations, rather than reacting aggressively to them. Positively, the Supervisee became increasingly motivated to talk through situations they had encountered and avoided.

Supervisee 2 left school at an early age and had endured transient accommodation since their early teens. They had moved away from offending as they felt they were “too old”, had cut ties with former associates, were supported to improve their educational skills, and later helped into mentoring and employment. When exploring their motivations through one-to-one programmes focused on attitudes, thinking and behaviour, they eventually shared that ‘lightbulb’ moment and explained, “after I was stabbed, I couldn’t defend myself anymore. I had to learn to use my head and talk myself out of problems. I’m good at it now, I’ve a job and a home [and most positively] soon I’ll be doing your job”. Through talking we were able to ascertain that at the route of this desistance journey was a desire to ‘stay alive’ and be received back into their family network with trust and respect. The Supervisee certainly had my respect, and it would be a pleasure to one day find them working as a probation practitioner.

Supervisee 3 had in the past been loosely connected to various offending groups (gangs) and attributed their offending to being in the wrong place, lack of money, falling out with family and homelessness. The factors they explained as helping them to move away from offending, were having a stable partner, becoming a parent, and completing a vocational qualification in prison. The Supervisee was positive about completing the qualification, as this had led to a job and legitimate income quite soon after release. At the end of the supervision period, the Supervisee expressed their appreciation for “keeping them motivated, believing in them and encouraging them to do better”. This reiterates the importance of probation practitioners building good working relationships with people on probation, as this can be a motivating factor in changing behaviour and reducing reoffending.

Supervisee 4 was a young drug user with significant health problems. We arranged their supervision and drug service appointments on the same day to support them in engaging. We always met outside because they refused to enter the building for fear of being ‘set up’. Every week we’d walk up the High Street to drug services which they only did because we’d pass McDonald’s and I’d buy the Supervisee chicken nuggets. My manager had a fund put aside for this as it was the only way we could get them to engage. My learning with this Supervisee was simply that, sometimes just showing humanity works (and ditching pre-prepared supervision plans). The goal was to motivate the Supervisee to consistently engage with services to primarily address their drug use. After the supervision ended, I’d bump into the Supervisee from time to time and they’d update me on their progress and ongoing relationship with drug services, which always reiterated the value of the relationship I managed to develop through taking this less prescriptive approach to their supervision.

Supervisee 5 distrusted the police, probation, and the mental health team, and was vocal about this. We overcame this through regular joint meetings with all supporting agencies, during which we just let the Supervisee speak. After about 3 months we had built trust and eventually, we got to a place where we could say “let’s try it this way”, and they’d listen. That’s how we helped the Supervisee engage, reconnect with family, keep a home, and improve independence. The power of communication and taking the time to develop the relationship was essential to the success of this Supervisee.

Supervisee 6 counted their sentence in football World Cups, so when imprisoned for somewhere in the region of 12 years, they were like, ‘boom, 3 World Cups and I’m free’. We once spoke about how they could have made better choices at an earlier stage and they opened up about their journey. At the end, they got up and said, ‘scrap that, I wouldn’t change a thing, I’d have ‘grafted’ more and invested it all in Bitcoin but wouldn’t have committed that last offence’. It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but they were reflecting, showing remorse, and expressing they could have done things differently which is at times all we can ask for as probation practitioners.

Supervisee 7 is my most memorable story and concerns a young person I worked with through their time in prison, back into the community, the family home, and into college, all while struggling to keep away from negative peers. I remember shortly before the end of the supervision period the Supervisee got into university and dropped in to share the news. When I congratulated the Supervisee for what they had achieved, they said, “We did it together”. In truth, I did very little and for me, this is what probation and community supervision work is about, helping and overseeing people lead and change their lives for the better.

The Overall Message 

There is no ‘magic ingredient’ to these stories of rehabilitation and change, a question a Justice Minister once asked me. The real explanation is in the commitment of supervised individuals in pursuing and achieving progressive life changes, and the dedication of the professionals within probation and community services working together to support them. The importance of the supervision session and investing in developing practitioner skills and availability, including the empowerment to be creative, autonomous, and flexible alongside access to suitable resources, is key to the effectiveness of rehabilitation approaches. This could be further explored through the continuous focus on understanding and improving what is achieved within the ‘black box’ of probation supervision and the wide-ranging roles of supervisory practitioners (Hylton, 2015; Raynor, 2019).

The way forward in shaping wider solutions for probation strategies to improve re-entry, resettlement, and rehabilitation should come from frontline supervisory practitioners and those successfully ceasing offending and completing periods of supervision. With the right conditions, the people in prison and on probation today can and do become the professionals and leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, future justice policies must benefit from incorporating input from those currently in prison and on probation with positive messages against the negative forms of behaviours and lifestyles of which they were formally part. (Hylton, 2014; Weaver and McNeill, 2007).

Jamal Hylton

HMPPS Fit For Purpose?

Justice and Home Affairs Committee 16th July 2025:- 

"As things stand, HMPPS remains a top-heavy, inflexible, and overly bureaucratic organisation. It is failing to show the change leadership, flexibility, and innovation that is desperately required. Whether it is fit for purpose is open to question and remains to be proven."

 (Paragraph 83)

This was recently published and helps set the scene as Napo ballots members regarding pay. Even the Prison Governor's Association gave evidence that Probation should be a seperate service, but their Lordships irritatingly disagree and feel we should remain saddled with an utterly failing HMPPS management structure. I think we can see why the Permanent Secretary did a runner! Oh, how we miss the presence of Lord Ramsbotham.....

Prisons need to have reducing reoffending as their core purpose, says Lords committee

The Justice and Home Affairs Committee today publishes its report Better prisons: less crime. The report examines the purpose, leadership, and oversight of prisons in England and Wales, as well as looking at staffing issues and barriers to providing purposeful activity to prisoners.

Report: Better prisons: less crime (HTML)
Report: Better prisons: less crime (PDF)
Shorthand story: Our prisons are in a state of crisis
Inquiry: Prison culture: governance, leadership and staffing
Justice and Home Affairs Committee

The Committee concludes that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) should set out a clear and consistent statement of the purpose of prison, with reducing reoffending as central. This should be communicated within the system, across government and to the wider public to build greater support for evidence-based approaches to reducing reoffending. The MoJ should also strike a better balance between governor autonomy and centralised control, ensuring that prison governors have the necessary authority to lead effectively.

The report

We have the highest imprisonment rate in Western Europe and it is only increasing. There are over 87,000 people in prison in England and Wales. This is almost double the prison population in 1993. The prison population is expected to exceed 100,000 by 2029.

There is an urgent need for wider prison reform, as prisons are currently operating in a state of crisis. They are overcrowded, often in bad and unsanitary condition, and face issues such as a shortage of funds, gangs operating with impunity, drones undermining security, an alarming availability of drugs and over-stretched, demoralised staff.

In its report, Better prisons: less crime which focuses on the leadership, governance and staffing of prisons, the Committee finds: 

• A lack of clarity about the purpose of prisons;
• A lack of public understanding about prisons;
• Limited autonomy for prison governors;
• Wholly inadequate arrangements for the recruitment, assessment and training of prison staff;
• Siloed working, with a lack of effective cross-agency collaboration within His Majesty’s Prison and probation Service (HMPPS) and with external partners;
• Insufficient purposeful activity designed to reduce re-offending;
• A sense of complacency and inadequate accountability arrangements throughout the prison service;
• Reviewed in totality, HMPPS is inflexible, and overly bureaucratic.

Chair's comments

Lord Foster of Bath, Chair of the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee said:

“During our inquiry we heard from many people involved in all aspects of prison life—prison governors, officers, charities, campaign groups, chaplains, Ministry of Justice officials, politicians and the Minister for Prisons himself. We spoke to prisoners in two prisons we visited, and we received letters from many others.

“Everyone knows that the prison system in England and Wales is nearly at breaking point. The Government is already taking steps to address the capacity crisis, and there are reforms to the wider criminal justice system which are being considered.

“But the situation will not improve without clarity of purpose. We agree with the Minister that reducing reoffending is central to the purpose of prisons, but this goal needs to be embedded at every level within the Service.

“Prison Governors must be given the freedom to run their prisons as they see fit. They are ultimately responsible for what goes on in their prisons, and they should have a greater say on who works in them.

“A career in the prison service is a noble thing, but it is not for everyone. The recruitment process currently gives candidates little idea of what working in a prison is like, and that needs to change. We were horrified to learn about the lack of a proper appraisal process for staff within the Prison Service.

“Providing purposeful activity for prisoners is key to ensuring that prisoners are prepared for life outside the prison. That means providing education and training that is relevant for them, and it should be tailored towards securing employment after release.

“We are not yet persuaded that HMPPS is fit for purpose, but we believe that joined-up working between the Prison Service and Probation Service is essential if the aim of reducing reoffending is to be achieved. That’s why we say there should be an Inspectorate or standards office with enhanced powers. This body should cover all aspects of HMPPS and it should be able to make recommendations about its policies and its structures.

“It is essential and possible to build a better prison system that protects the public and helps reduce re-offending; other countries have done so. It is about time that England and Wales did the same.”

Napo Pay Ballot Announced

 Probation Union to ballot members for industrial action 

Napo the largest trade union in the HMPPS Probation Service (England and Wales) has today served notice of its intention to ballot its members to support a campaign of industrial action. This follows an unresolved trade dispute on Probation Pay and Workloads and a deadlock following recent negotiations with the employer on a joint Napo, UNISON and GMB claim for a 12% pay increase in 2025.

Napo General Secretary Ian Lawrence says: ‘Our pay claim reflects the relentless demands that are seriously impacting on the well-being of overworked and stressed-out Probation staff. This has in turn led to a staggering 103,000 working days lost due to mental illness in the Probation Service. Sadly, our long running trade dispute remains unresolved despite every effort on our part to secure a recommendable pay offer. Napo members have consistently delivered policies at a moment’s notice under this and the previous government, to supervise the release of Prisoners back into the community to free up space in Jails, but have yet to receive the respect that they deserve and a pay rise that will truly demonstrate that this government values them beyond kind words.’

The Probation trade unions say that pay in the Probation Service has decreased by 60% in real terms over the last 10 years and that it has fallen behind the salaries available to comparators such as staff in Prisons, Police and the Youth Justice sector.

The plan is for the postal ballot for strike action and action short of strike action, to be issued on the 25th July with a result being declared on Friday 22nd August. Should members vote in favour of action this could be enacted at any time in the following six months. It is estimated that industrial action will place even greater pressure across all aspects of the justice system.

Ian Lawrence added: ‘It’s both very sad and somewhat ironic that a trade union who broadly supports reforms to the justice system such as a presumption against short-term prison sentences and policies that will provide a clear benefit to our communities and the taxpayer, finds itself in such a position. This reflects the lack of attention by the previous government to the vital role played by Probation and the fact that our members regularly report that enough is enough. It is not too late to resume negotiations, but we now need the direct intervention of Government Ministers to help us achieve a realistic outcome that will help to stabilise the Probation workforce.’

Notes:

Napo has submitted a joint pay claim with its sister unions, Unison and GMB, for 12%. The civil service pay remit is 3.25%

Current starting salaries:

Administrator: £23,583
Probation Service Officer: £26,475
Probation Officer: £35,130
Senior Probation Officer: £44,100

Timpson Backtracks

On Friday in Cambridge and delivering the 27th Bill McWilliams lecture, Lord Timpson mentioned he was going to Wales on Monday. Well, we now know why. This from BBC news website:-

Not priority to devolve probation says UK minister

A UK government minister has been accused of pouring "cold water" on the prospect of the Welsh government taking control over probation and youth justice.

The Labour-led Cardiff administration has been pushing for further devolution on criminal justice - calls that Westminster colleagues have promised to consider. But Prisons Minister Lord Timpson has told a committee in the Welsh Parliament it is not "a priority" while the criminal justice system is "in crisis".

Labour MS Jenny Rathbone said the comments were very disappointing.

Lord Timpson says the criminal justice system faced "huge pressures" and there needed to be "stability" before "further changes" were considered.

Under the system of devolution established in 1999, the Senedd and Welsh government have never had control over criminal law. Various reports, including one from the former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, have called for more devolution on criminal justice including youth justice and the probation service.

Last summer's Welsh Labour manifesto said the party would "explore" the devolution of probation "to enable them to be more locally responsive". It was planned as part of a strategic review into probation and added it would "consider" the devolution of youth justice.

Speaking to the Senedd's equality and social justice committee, the Prisons' Minister Lord Timpson told MSs that "we need to be in a much more stable position before we can think about further changes".

Mick Antoniw, the former chief legal adviser to the Welsh Government, says there are "volumes of evidence" that devolution of probation "needs to happen and quickly".

The Labour former counsel general told the committee that there was "no logical response to that other than we've had a decade of delay on actually looking at the enormous accumulation of evidence".

Questioning Lord Timpson, he said: "What you seem to be suggesting is that we are going to go through that process of just continually looking at the evidence without ever really coming to a proper conclusion."

Former Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price added: "Are you ruling out for the foreseeable future the full devolution of executive and legislative powers?".

Lord Timpson said he wanted to "stabilise" a "bruised" service but added: "I'm not ruling anything out, I'm not ruling anything in. "What I'm focused on is trying to sort out the crisis in our justice system."

After the meeting committee chair, Labour MS for Cardiff Central, Jenny Rathbone said the committee was "very disappointed".

"The Welsh government has already started the groundwork to prepare because it believed there was a realistic prospect that these aspects could be devolved soon," she said. "This is in stark contrast to Lord Timpson's evidence before the Committee today which seemed to pour cold water on the prospect."

Outlier England

Following on from Lord Timpson's lecture on Friday and his vision of how probation must develop in England, this report from a recent European conference confirms what many of us know - we're heading in the wrong direction and likely to remain an embarrassing outlier:- 

Shaping Probation’s Identity: Public Perception and the Three Rs (Rehabilitation, Reintegration, Reparation)

Introduction: A Journey 

The Probation Service in England and Wales stands at a critical juncture. With a history spanning more than a century, it has weathered waves of reform. This instability has undermined professional autonomy and blurred the service’s purpose. Is probation a social work agency, an extension of law enforcement, a welfare provider, or mechanism for managing community risk and easing prison overcrowding?

In May 2025, I represented HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) at the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) Conference on Public Perception of Probation in Antalya, Türkiye. The event underscored the urgent need to reclaim probation’s identity, not by returning to the past or inventing something entirely new, but by forging a contemporary vision grounded in rehabilitation, reintegration, collaboration, engagement, and humanity.

The Identity Crisis in Probation 

At the Conference, probation practitioners, managers, and leaders from across Europe, alongside leading academics, shared their experiences in shaping probation’s identity and services. CEP President Annie Devos (Belgium) opened with thought-provoking questions: Why do we use prisons? 

Why do we use probation? How do we respond to challenges?

Listening intently, I reflected on the origins of probation in England and Wales, established through the 1907 Probation of Offenders Act and guided by the motto “advise, assist, and befriend”. This principle remains relevant, emphasising holistic supervision that acknowledges personal, social, and circumstantial factors influencing behaviour. As Jarvis (1972) outlined, probation’s identity is embedded in its capacity to engage individuals, not merely as risks but as people needing support and second chances.

Historically, probation has been viewed as a social work agency, a characterisation still recognised by many CEP nations. However, government administrations have often rejected this framing, steering probation toward enforcement and punishment (Canton, 2024). The past two decades have witnessed a service marked by fragmentation, privatisation, and eventual reunification, developments that have weakened its identity (HMIP, 2025). Critics of the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms warned these changes would undermine evidence-based practices and restrict professional development (Senior, 2013; Hylton, 2013). Indeed, the Chief Inspector of Probation later described the reforms as “irredeemably flawed” (HMIP, 2019). The unification process that followed remains “a painful process whose end state remains elusive” (Millings et al, 2025). Undoubtedly, this serves as a reminder that reforms must be collaborative, scrutinised, evidence-based based and tested.

Workshops at the Conference further highlighted the concern that probation had strayed from its rehabilitative mission (Jarvis, 1972). The emphasis on risk management has, at times, transformed Probation into a tool of punishment and control, rather than a means of rehabilitation. As Kemshall (2021) argues, risk management and rehabilitation can work in tandem to promote public safety. However, an overemphasis on public safety alone will not create the engaging, rehabilitative environment that fosters change and desistance when working with individuals on probation. Similarly, if probation is unable to develop a clear and credible identity, distinct from narratives around punishment, public safety, use of technology, cost-effectiveness, or custody alternatives, and to resist the urge to overpromise on risk management, public protection, and crime control, then it may continue to face the challenge of misrepresentation. Without a clearly defined identity, probation remains vulnerable to external pressures, limiting its autonomy and effectiveness.

Learning from Europe and Reclaiming its Voice

Conversations with ‘celebrities’ such as Gerry McNally and Professor Fergus McNeill were inspiring. Equally valuable were discussions with international colleagues including Daniel Danglades (Ministry of Justice, France), Vugar Aghayev (Ministry of Justice, Azerbaijan), and Deniz Özyörük (General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, Türkiye). I shared insights from my journey within probation, the perseverance of supervised individuals in achieving progressive life changes, and the dedication of probation professionals (Hylton, 2013; 2014; 2024).

The conference highlighted the importance of reclaiming probation’s narrative. European nations with newer probation systems, less burdened by entrenched bureaucratic structures, demonstrated a clear vision, probation as an agent of social justice rather than a mere administrative function or penal system extension. They demonstrated success, openness to collaboration, and a firm belief that intentional dialogue can elevate probation’s visibility and autonomy and establish it as an independent entity.

In listening to the speakers explore these tensions, a key realisation emerged: probation operates within the tension between the probation of liberty and the restriction of liberty; it cannot effectively embody both (McNally, 2025). Probation would benefit from being untethered from narratives of punishment, public safety, cost-saving, and avoiding labels of ‘cheaper’, a ‘replacement’ or an ‘alternative’. In considering the ‘public perception of probation’ and the significance of probation work, the following resonated particularly.

Daniel Danglades (Ministry of Justice, France) emphasised the importance of a strong probation identity underpinned by staff training and development. He passionately described how all probation practitioners in France undergo training at a central academy, reinforcing a consistent national approach and professional ethos. Danglades (2025) also advocated for collaboration, not competition, among CEP member countries.

Dr. Andrea Matouskova (Ministry of Justice, Czech Republic) introduced probation houses; reintegration spaces based on need, not just risk. A presentation showed individuals transitioning from prison, developing life skills, and sharing their rehabilitation journeys. Engaging the local community had eased concerns about hosting these spaces, reinforcing the role of probation as a facilitator of positive change.

Gerry McNally (University College Cork, Ireland) argued the need for probation to remain independent, evidence-driven, and guided by a clear sense of purpose. He challenged probation to uphold its core values while confronting policies that undermine them. McNally (2025) encouraged exploration of diverse stakeholder perspectives, from clients and those with lived experience, to frontline practitioners, the judiciary and policymakers, to address misconceptions, influence policy, and safeguard probation’s autonomy amidst growing technological, hierarchical, and political pressures. He also posed challenging questions:

What do clients think of probation? What should probation be? A friend, an acquaintance, or an authority to be feared?

Dr. Hüseyin Şik (General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses, Türkiye) highlighted the necessity of collaboration, respect and humanity in probation work, presenting a comprehensive support network spanning release planning, youth services, spiritual guidance, employment programs, addiction and mental health support, and community-driven environmental initiatives including the planting and maintenance of one million trees (Özyörük, 2025). Türkiye’s “Year of Probation,” introduced by its Director General, Enis Yavuz Yildirim, emphasised a non-punitive philosophy and probation’s role in rehabilitation. Professor Hakan A. Yavuz (Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Türkiye) had added a reminder that while probation should not attempt to solve all social and justice problems, crises in justice can present opportunities for reform and reinvention.

The Probation Three Rs: Rehabilitation, Reintegration, Reparation 

Professor. Fergus McNeill (University of Glasgow, Scotland) powerfully argued that probation, as an “agency of justice”, must prioritise rehabilitation, reintegration, and reparation, and can apply meaningful censure without the need to be punitive. During discussions, I seized the opportunity to dub this framework the “Probation Three Rs”. 

• Rehabilitation: Recognising human capacity for change and fostering belief (and facilitating) in every individual’s ability to change. 
• Reintegration: Encouraging and enabling inclusion within society rather than isolation. 
• Reparation: Supporting individuals in taking accountability for their actions and making meaningful amends.

McNeill (2025) and McNally (2025) each reinforced the enduring claim that “probation works” (Chapman & Hough, 2001). They compellingly argued that probation centred on punishment and public safety will falter, whereas probation focused on rehabilitation and reintegration will thrive. For probation to expand its scope in supervising individuals in the community, is perhaps fundamental to the success of rehabilitation-focused approaches (Canton, 2024; Hylton, 2024). These considerations also raised critical questions:

Should probation sentences be applied universally where short custodial sentences would otherwise be imposed? Should community supervision be available postsentence and post-remand, albeit on a voluntary basis? Furthermore, should recall and enforcement functions be altogether removed from standard determinate and community sentences?

In subsequent discussions, McNeill, McNally, and others reflected on the significance of desistance and purposeful activity. For rehabilitation to be truly effective, probation must be equipped to provide immediate and priority access to essential resources, including accommodation, education, training, employment, healthcare, and addiction support; critical lifelines for individuals released from prison or serving community sentences (Aubrey & Hough, 1997). 

From Silent Service to Public Voice 

Probation, supervising over a million people across Europe, takes many forms, but it is the shared values and goals that unify the profession (Canton, 2010). Investing in practitioner development and recruitment is necessary for operational capacity and essential to cultivating creativity, autonomy, and adaptability (Raynor, 2019). Equally, access to appropriate resources essential for rehabilitation approaches will shape probation’s identity and the role of its practitioners.

To ensure probation's success, its representation must be strengthened, and its community engagement deepened. This requires amplifying diverse perspectives, incorporating insights from focus groups that shape policy, and engaging the public through “citizens’ assemblies” that drive reform (McNeill, 2025). Direct involvement from justice frontline staff, managers, academics, and individuals with lived experience is crucial, alongside collaboration with statutory and community leaders (McNally, 2025). Additionally, meaningful engagement with media platforms can play a vital role in public understanding and support for reform.

As the conference concluded, Secretary General Jana Špero Kamenjarin tasked attendees to carry forward a key takeaway. For me, it was clear: justice reform must be shaped by frontline practitioners, managers, academics and those who have successfully desisted from offending (Hylton, 2024). These voices must guide innovation, inform policy, and help redesign services. In partnership with statutory agencies, probation should be the coordinators of timely, needs-based support, and yes, maybe even plant a million trees.

Conclusion: A Vision for the Future 

The Conference demonstrated that across Europe, probation services are actively engaging communities, not just as stakeholders but as partners. The future of probation lies in evidence-based reform, practitioner development, and adequate resourcing. Practitioners and managers must be empowered to lead and challenge from within, cultivating a workforce of champions who articulate the service’s purpose with clarity and confidence. Probation must resist the urge to overpromise on crime control and risk management. Therefore, reframing public safety as a natural consequence of effective rehabilitation rather than an isolated goal.

To reclaim its core role, probation must celebrate its successes, demystify its work, and participate actively in public discourse. Ultimately, embracing a modern identity aligned with its founding ethos: advise, assist, and befriend, a quasiwelfare, quasi-justice institution built not on punishment and control, but on hope, support, and the belief in human change (Ali et al, 2025; Canton, 2024; Hylton, 2024).

Jamal Hylton 

Senior Probation Officer 

East of England Probation Region

Timpson Fails to Join the Dots

Lord Timpson OBE, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending delivered the 27th Bill McWilliams lecture yesterday, so what did we learn? Well, he's not been a politician for long and is clearly a nice guy, but....he's a government minister and still learning what that's about and the priority has obviously been dealing with the prison crisis, not the Probation Service one. 

He clearly cares about the Probation Service, but how much does he really know about it and understand its distinctive ethos? From the many incongruities in his address he is aware of the issues, but so far is either unwilling or unable to address them.  

• He reminded us that the first probation officers were volunteers - wags might be tempted to say on current pay trajectory, probation staff will in effect be volunteers soon.
• Advise Assist and Befriend got a mention, but a modern service was about Assess Protect and Change.
• He has a somewhat touching belief in technology being the answer to Probation's woes in the vain hope that the 70/30 split in wasted time spent on futile admin can be reversed with more time to spend with clients and 'having a cup of tea' with them.
• Although he stressed "this is a people business", he is clearly enamoured by technology and keen to spend much of the allocated £700 million on AI recording stuff. He doesn't seem to understand how that would fundamentally affect the nature of the inter-action.
• Described probation as "the quiet engine of our Justice System".despite much evidence to suggest it's utterly broken.
• He said "probation was community based working with the judiciary" and also "Prisons and Probation are two sides of the same coin" NO THEY'RE EFFING NOT!
• He said "it can't all be top down, it can't be one size fits all" seemingly to forget probation is part of a Civil Service command and control structure.
• He batted away suggestions that the Civil Service might not be the best structural model for the type of staff required to deliver probation, preferring to highlight how important leadership was instead!
• He also referred more than once to the differences between geographical communities. London, Cambridge and Cumbria (I think) and therefore service delivery being very different. He is clearly unable to spot the incongruity here.
• He ducked the pay question saying "we don't do it for the money" and brushed it off as "they are talking to the unions". Not rewarding the profession appropriately is not a mark of investing of course.
• He cited trauma, addiction and mental health as drivers of crime, but made no mention of poverty.
• He clearly rates HMI inspector Martin Jones (who regularly bangs on about 'localism') and cited him in efforts to not talk about Kim Thornden-Edwards and probation having invisible leadership and an effective voice.
• He acknowledged the havoc caused by Chris Grayling and asserted it takes 5 years to get a damaged organisation back into good shape. That time's nearly up, but in crisis.
• When asked about foreign nationals in prison, having acknowledged there were 10,500, he chose to highlight the plight of female FNO's and how they were 'all victims'. He was delighted that social workers were being employed in prisons to assist them, having earlier avoided the notion of a return to social work training being appropriate for probation officers.
• In pondering in what circumstances a Probation Officer might be sacked, he clearly recognised how risk-averse the whole structure had become and opined that 'a bit more commonsense' might be needed. Touching, given that we are part of a Civil Service command and control structure.
• He was impressed with the Manchester model of partnership working and hoped for a bigger role for the Third Sector, but is not yet willing to concede the present shotgun marriage to HM Prison Service is part of the problem.
• We had the usual 'recruiting more staff' mantra, but he didn't seem that alarmed at rentention rates. He was concerned at sickness levels, but didn't think caseloads of 35 were a problem.
• Despite being given the opportunity posed by a question of how the workload might be reduced, there was no mention of ditching the ridiculous 'supervision' of the under 12mths custody cohort.
• Apparently he's meeting representatives from Wales on Monday, so hopefully the notions of a different probation model will be enthusiastically advanced!

Commended

I note that all the commended essays for the Mike Guilfoyle Essay Prize 2025 have now been published, including this by Ben Entwistle:-

A strong passion - professional identity in Probation

A friend told me of a Probation client who wanted to hand himself in to the Police over an unresolved criminal matter. The Probation Officer contacted the Prosecution and arranged to accompany his client to the Police Station. On the day, the PO was dressed for work, the client in a suit and tie. On arrival the Police tried to arrest the Probation Officer.

This incident, though amusing in one sense, makes a serious point about notions of professionalism. Fulfilling a commonly-held stereotype about what a professional looks like and actually being one are (or certainly should be!) quite different things. However smart, expensive and executive-looking one’s attire, the essence of professionalism cannot simply reside in clothing. The most professional looking person may be the least competent or, worse, may be cynically passing themselves off as someone they are not for dishonest ends.

At its simplest, a professional is someone paid for the work they do. There is overlap with the idea that, to merit this pay, one must work to agreed standards of competence, knowledge, expertise and conduct. Wikipedia says: “Professionalism is a set of standards that an individual is expected to adhere to in a workplace in order to appear serious, uniform or respectful. What constitutes professionalism is hotly debated and varies from workplace to workplace and between cultures.” The use of the word ‘appear’ here is interesting; again we have the risk of presentation being deceptive. The dictionary definition of ‘profess’ makes this concrete, noting the commonest use of the word is to refer to someone claiming something untrue about themselves. Another idea linked to the concept of professional conduct is that this must be ethical and of a high standard.

With this we are coming close to what professionalism might best mean in Probation. Because of the nature of Probation work, it seems indisputable that the base-line for a professional identity must be truthfulness, honesty, compassion and a passion for justice and right over wrong. Nothing seems more likely to undermine work done to help those guilty of offences to change their behaviour and lives, than the “do what I say not what I do” institutional hypocrisy which has lately been exposed with such devastating impact in bodies like the Police and the Church. I do not mean that Probation Staff must be morally perfect and without error; that would be equally unhelpful. But integrity in this endeavour must encompass the courage to be honest about one’s flaws and failings. When we talk about the professional’s ‘use of self’ in the task of building a constructive, open and mutually respectful relationship, this is surely one of the aspects we mean. Over-aweing someone with personal, moral purity is unlikely to help them grow.

So we have a combination of factors: a level of knowledge, expertise and experience with regard to practice; the job itself; and a value-base, an ethics of engagement rooted in truthfulness, justice and a hopefulness about the human capacity for growth and change. This should not negate the capacity to challenge harmful and dishonest behaviour but it should equally not surrender to crude, judgemental stereotypes or an “us and them” prescriptiveness.

My own view (and this is a personal opinion, though one shared by many people and expressed in a significant body of Probation literature) is that when Probation was removed from a ‘social work’ ethos and forced into a ‘criminal justice, punishment in the community’ ideology, this essential value-base was diluted and ultimately lost. This went hand in hand with, and was accelerated by, the imposition of computer technology which automated the work into matrices of risk-assessment, data-collection, actuarial orthodoxies and prescriptive formulae for intervention. The illusion was established and assiduously reinforced that what was (and should be) an essentially human and interactive profession, could in fact be an ‘exact science’ with answers, solutions and evidence-based outcomes. By the time I retired it seemed to me the notion of professionalism in Probation had become something I could not recognise, utterly at odds with the ethics and values I was trained in and first knew. The measure of the new professional appeared to reside in: speed of typing; mastery of IT systems; effortless assimilation of lists of arcane acronyms; a facility with statistics; the capacity to navigate with ease and alacrity between different algorithms and matrices; and a narrow view of ‘offenders’ that was able to slot them swiftly into one category of delinquent risk or another.

The orthodoxy of risk-assessment seems posited on the conviction that past-behaviour is self-fulfilling and it is unlikely the subject will do anything different, despite our original mission having been wedded to the belief in change. I finished in a ‘report-writing team’ and was constantly being told my reports were too long, that I was taking too much time over them and this is why I was feeling so stressed, that my interviews with clients were too protracted and that Judges really couldn’t be bothered to read all the unnecessary details I was including.

In conclusion, I don’t believe true professionalism can be fully restored to Probation until the ethical and human are returned to its heart; until the 24/7 feeding of the machine is downgraded in favour of personal contact; until OASYS is scrapped; and until, in Ruth Wilkes’ formulation, an ‘instrumental morality’ is replaced with an ‘expressive’ one. This hotly debated issue of professionalism will not go away through being ignored. In The Guardian piece “Plan for less-qualified probation staff to oversee sex-offenders.” And in the current edition of “Professional Social Work” (March/April 2025), in a piece about AI: “This raises the question of whether existing human rights’ frameworks are fit for purpose in the age of AI. Is there a need for new human rights, such as the right to a human, rather than a machine decision?”

I was drawn to Probation by the depth and seriousness of its core task, its humane compassion, its grappling with tensions between justice and punishment, right and wrong, and with concepts of the better life. I feel this ontological seriousness has been sacrificed to the speed and ease of a tick-box mentality. As Mervyn Peake wrote: “The vastest things are those we may not learn/we are not taught to die nor to be born/nor how to burn with love/How pitiful is our enforced return/to those small things we are the masters of.”

Ben Entwhistle

The Mike Guilfoyle Essay Prize is annual competition, co-hosted by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and Napo, that honours the legacy of Mike Guilfoyle. Mike was a dedicated probation officer and active Napo member, and this competition aims to encourage reflections on all that is valuable and important in probation. This year’s essay question was What does professionalism mean in probation?

Highly Commended

I note that Jamal Hylton was awarded Highly Commended in the 2025 Mike Guilfoyle Essay Prize and is well worth reading:-

This essay explores the concept of professionalism in probation, drawing on my experiences as a Probation Officer and Senior Probation Officer, as well as seminal works, to highlight its core attributes and practical application.

The Origins of Professionalism

Professionalism in probation cannot be explored without referencing the phrase “advise, assist, and befriend”. This principle has been integral to the Probation Service since its establishment and was codified in the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907. This set out the responsibilities of probation officers in working with individuals under supervision, reflecting a commitment to rehabilitation through supportive relationships aimed at facilitating positive change. This emphasised a holistic approach to addressing offending behaviour, recognising the personal and social factors that contribute to offending behaviour, ensuring that interventions and supervisory approaches are not solely punitive but also rehabilitative.

Commitment to Desistance

As a Probation Officer I have found that changing behaviour is rarely linear, that setbacks occur, and motivation fluctuates. The focus is to keep the individual moving forward on their journey, reinforcing the collaborative nature of probation supervision and support. A cornerstone of professionalism in probation is fostering desistance, the process by which individuals cease offending. This requires a person-centred approach, acknowledging the complexities of behavioural change and the unique journeys of those under supervision.

In this context, professionalism involves working with individuals to maintain progress, identifying their needs, strengths, aspirations, and opportunities, and using these to foster change. The supervisory relationship is built on the belief in every individual has the potential to change, desist from offending and achieve their goals, also described by Weaver and Weaver. Practitioners therefore balance empathy and non-judgmental support with accountability, offering guidance and access to resources while ensuring individuals take responsibility for their progress. This encapsulates the nuanced nature of professionalism in probation, aligning with the ethos of ‘advise, assist, and befriend’.

Interventions, Supervision, and Practitioner Development

Probation practice is underpinned by a range of techniques, including motivational interviewing, relationship building, counselling, and therapeutic approaches. The presence of skilled and experienced practitioners is invaluable, and within supervisory settings enables the delivery of targeted interventions based on need and risk assessments. Research into effective practice highlights the importance of programmes and structured interventions, which rely on knowledge and expertise for successful implementation, as outlined by Chapman and Hough.

In drawing attention to the importance of supervisory practices, I’ve shared examples of experiences working in supervisory settings, exploring what can be achieved in supporting individuals in reducing reoffending. The Skills for Effective Engagement Development (SEED) training and SEED model concluded that effective supervisory practices require balancing risk management, individual needs, and engagement strategies, alongside building open, trusting, and consistent professional relationships. Professionalism is also demonstrated when practitioners adapt their approaches, taking cultural and social contexts into account. This fosters communication and enables the acceptance of support, such as access to housing, employment, addiction and mental health services.

Equally, professionalism requires reflective practice, self-awareness, and ongoing learning. As probation evolves, practitioners must stay informed about emerging research and practices. Critics of the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms, including the late Paul Senior and even myself, argued that those changes jeopardised evidence-based practices and hindered professional development. Therefore, maintaining professionalism means preserving skills and innovation, and serves as a reminder of the need to preserve the integrity of probation practice, training and development.

Values, Ethics, and Multi-Agency Collaboration

Ethical practice is central to professionalism in probation. The transformative potential of probation work necessitates ethical decision-making that is transparent, accountable, and informed by legal and policy frameworks. Practitioners navigate a delicate balance in assessing past behaviour as a predictor of future behaviour, therefore enabling decisions to reduce reoffending and protect victims, while also recognising current behaviour and future potential.

Collaboration is another key component of professionalism and probation practitioners work effectively within multi-agency partnerships, drawing on the expertise of police, mental health, housing, and addiction support services, as outlined by the late Mike Guilfoyle. This holistic approach ensures individuals receive comprehensive support, and successful joint initiatives strengthen probation’s capacity to support individuals. These partnerships reinforce the notion that the “assist” component extends beyond individual roles or locations, requiring the ability to work effectively within the broader justice system and the wider community, as outlined in the Process evaluation of the Newham Y2A Hub and by myself writing on probation and community supervision.

Resilience and Emotional Intelligence

Probation practitioners are trained to address complex, sometimes deeply entrenched issues, equipping clients with genuine opportunities to reintegrate into society. This work can be challenging, requiring resilience and emotional intelligence to manage caseloads, exposure to trauma, and public scrutiny, as an inspection of the Probation Service suggests. Professionalism demands the ability to maintain composure, self-awareness, and empathy in the face of these pressures. Working with individuals who have experienced trauma, marginalisation, and adversity takes an emotional toll, emphasising the importance of self-care, peer support, and an organisational culture that prioritises staff well-being. Practitioners also navigate the tension between professional detachment and meaningful engagement, ensuring they remain effective while safeguarding their own wellbeing.

The Future of Probation

The enduring principles of “advise, assist, and befriend” remain at the heart of professionalism in probation, underscoring the importance of supportive relationships, skilled interventions, and ethical practice. Professionalism in this field is multifaceted, requiring a blend of technical expertise, collaboration, resilience, and a commitment to fostering desistance and positive change. Probation practitioners must balance empathy with accountability, flexibility with consistency, and personal well-being with professional responsibility. In doing so, they contribute not only to individual rehabilitation but also to broader goals of justice and community safety.

Looking ahead, the Probation Service must continue to evolve while staying true to its core ethos. Maintaining professionalism means advocating for evidence-based reforms, investing in practitioner development, and ensuring adequate resources to support both individuals under supervision and those who supervise them. By upholding these principles, the Probation Service can adapt to changing demands while remaining a force for rehabilitation and social justice.

Jamal Hylton

Author’s note: This essay is dedicated to the memory of Alison Thornton, a Probation Officer of outstanding professionalism

The Mike Guilfoyle Essay Prize is annual competition, co-hosted by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and Napo, that honours the legacy of Mike Guilfoyle. Mike was a dedicated probation officer and active Napo member, and this competition aims to encourage reflections on all that is valuable and important in probation. This year’s essay question was What does professionalism mean in probation?