'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!
These SPOs are on a roll, from this and the previous post. Leading by example and publicising it too. This is much better than those that sit with the door closed firing off snotty emotionless emails. I see a probation practice book deal coming for Hylton & Gildersleeve, one we’ll probably want to read.
ReplyDeleteNo mention of the endless, boring, repetitive form filling, bureaucracy and target driven culture.
ReplyDeleteThe MoJ want to recruit people as kindred social workers, ( there’s a good old fashioned phrase) but then prevent them from doing that sort of work. They then become mystified when people complain and leave.
No working member of staff would be able to publish a piece about probation without our employer's sign-off. Our employer is notoriously defensive and controlling, so its really brilliant to read these two's work, because they chime with the values I hold as crucial to probation, but also becuase they were allowed to publish. That signals to me a desire at the top to get Probation back onto a more wholesome and effective footing.
ReplyDeleteThey dont have much of a clue about what that actually means on a more than superficial level, I reckon, but it is a chink of light, and possibly an opportunity
Of course practitioners are ruthlessly gagged from going off approved script in public and that is awful and unconstructive. I've experienced first hand just how jumpy and aggressive they can be in that regard. But the silver lining is that these writers are on approved script.
I'm absolutely up for making the argument for a Probation Service separated from Prison service, out of the civil service, locally embedded, quasi-independent, founded on its traditional values. Lord knows I bang on about that endlessly. That doesnt mean that this side of the debate has got all the answers and is completely right about everything. Or that HMPPS is getting absolutely everything wrong. We can be nuanced, which is generally more interesting than binary and tribal.
Having said which, during the TR resistance campaigning, I (along with most everybody in the profession) was completely right and Grayling and his muppets were completely wrong. I shouted "People will die" at a Police and Crime Commissioner on one occasion, reflecting later that maybe I had been a bit over-dramatic, but ...
Pearly Gates
To be fair PG, this one really went off script. I do not think this is the employers message at all!!
Deletehttps://probationmatters.blogspot.com/2025/07/outlier-england.html?m=1
Pearly Gates always makes perfect sense. I'm pretty hung up on 'identity ' at the moment, and believe that what ever changes have been foisted upon probation, it must at it's core always remain anchored to its traditional values.
DeleteIts ethos has to be its headline regardless of whatever rhetoric the narrative may contain.
"The study of individual and organizational identities has attracted considerable research in the field of management and organizational studies (Corlett et al. 2017). Much of this research has been influenced by social identity theory (Tajfel and Turner 1979, 1986), which suggests that the social groups to which we belong form a significant part of our self-concept. Research on the ways people draw on their membership of organizations in their constructions of self has generated the social-psychological concept of organizational identification, defined as ‘the perception of oneness with or belongingness to an organization’ (Mael and Ashforth, 1992: 104). For employees, the organizations in which they work offer an important source for identification."
https://academic.oup.com/bjc/advance-article/doi/10.1093/bjc/azaf007/8030260
'Getafix
Abstract
DeleteThe Probation Service for England & Wales offers an important case study for those who are interested in the impact(s) of organizational change on workers in criminal justice and, in particular, the identity work that they engage in as they move through frequent iterations of change. In this article, we draw on data from an ongoing longitudinal study of probation reform to explore identity work among a mixed sample of practitioner and management grade staff in one of 12 probation regions. Our analysis reveals the significance of both occupational and organizational sources of identification to workers of all grades, but also evidence of dis-identification with aspects of the current organization. It further reveals the importance of anchors through change in workers’ identities as they navigate paths through successive reforms. These anchors include values, places and structures that are part of probation’s legacy but which offer a sense of continuity and meaning to workers as they adapt within a turbulent field.
Introduction
DeleteThe systemization and creeping marketization of criminal justice that has occurred in many Western jurisdictions in the last 30 years has exposed workers to new challenges as the organizations in which they work have been subject to seemingly relentless ‘reforms’ in the name of enhancing efficiency and/or effectiveness. These reforms have included the colonization of services and their policies by central governments, experiments with outsourcing provision, the reconfiguration of local and regional boundaries and the merging of formerly separate organizations. The probation service in England & Wales is perhaps unique in having experienced all of the above in the context of a sequence of reform programmes that have included four major organizational restructures between 2001 and 2021 (HMIP 2021). In this article, we deploy social identity theory and the related concept of identity work as a starting point for an exploration of how probation workers at all levels within the organization have navigated change and, in particular, their own occupational and organizational identities in a rapidly evolving context.
Concluding Discussion
DeleteOur findings suggest that those with responsibility for leading major reform programmes in the criminal justice field should caution against easy assumptions about how workers will adapt to top-down changes about which they have had little say.--//-- In the probation setting, the transition to the Civil Service—a values-based organization—might have been assumed to be acceptable to probation workers who are known to have a strong occupational identity grounded in values. But as we have demonstrated, any such assumptions have been ill-founded. Although ‘probation values’ have often been ill-defined and contested over the years (e.g. Nellis 1995; Gelsthorpe 2007), our research suggests that the contemporary configuration of probation services has served to emphasize dearly held values associated with voice and local accountability that do not sit well with the nesting of probation within larger structures which are experienced as obstructive.
The findings presented in this article appear to lend support to the comments of the outgoing Chief Inspector of Probation in September 2023, who took the opportunity to ‘look back over what has been a tumultuous and difficult period for the Probation Service and to offer some reflections on the future as well’ (Russell 2023: 6). He continued:
Delete[...] it’s important that the voice and interests of the Probation Service continue to get the leadership attention they so desperately need. Many in the service hark back to the days (not that long ago), when probation was a genuinely local service – locally accountable rather than run from Whitehall, focused on local partnerships and able to act autonomously within them. Given our [inspection] results from the past year, and after speaking to probation leaders and managers around England and Wales, I have to say I have increasing sympathy with this view [...] While I recognise that another reorganisation of the service, and any shift in this direction would have to be with the explicit agreement of local managers and staff, I think the time has come for an independent review of whether probation should move back to a more local form of governance and control (Russell 2023: 8).
A ‘strategic review of probation governance’ also featured in the 2024 election manifesto of the Labour party.11 Whether such a review will be prioritized by the new Labour government remains to be seen, but our contemporaneous findings in respect of the identity work of probation staff, and in particular the anchors through change that sustain them, would suggest that such a review would be welcomed.
As usual, 'Getafix nails it :)
DeleteNot really Russel played the game in role often fudging. Harking back to localised delivery defeats the consistency in justice arguments which is why the panoply was stopped and amalgamated. It won't come back as justice has to be the same provision in each place. It's time we all understood what the future is to be.
DeleteGetafix but this is being said, we even heard it here from those within probation. The problem is nobody is listening. I have heard these points many times over, and yet we had Timpson relay a totally different message.
Deletehttps://probationmatters.blogspot.com/2025/07/outlier-england.html?m=1
“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.”
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/687faffdfdc190fb6b8468e5/SUB125930_-_Tim_Flesher_-_PSPRB_-_2026-27_remit_letter.pdf
ReplyDeleteDear Tim,
ReplyDeleteTHE PRISON SERVICE PAY REVIEW BODY (PSPRB) REMIT 2026/27
I am grateful to you and the other Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) members for your continued hard work and dedication to Prison Service Pay for our valued staff and for your commitment to accelerate the timetable.
The government values the vital contribution made by the almost 6 million public sector workers across the UK, who deliver the public services we all rely upon. This includes the excellent work of our Prison Service staff, often in challenging circumstances. The government accepted all recommendations from the PSPRB for the 2025/26 pay round. This represented an increase of at least 4% for all operational prison staff, delivering another real-terms pay rise on top of the one provided last summer. However, since it came in above the figures we set out as affordable within our evidence, the pay award required difficult decisions on spending and reprioritisation of budgets.
As the Spending Review confirmed, all pay must be funded from departmental budgets and there will be no additional funding available for pay settlements. My department’s evidence will set out the funds available to MoJ/HMPPS for 2026/27, following the Spending Review last month. It will
also set out the recruitment and retention context alongside earnings data. This will need to be balanced against other departmental priorities including improving prison capacity through an increase to prison places and deliver reforms recommended through the Independent Sentencing Review.
I am writing to commence formally the 2026/27 pay round and set out how the government intends to work with the PSPRB over the coming year. I am asking you to provide
recommendations in line with your terms of reference, with particular regard for this government’s objective of providing mission-led public services that are equipped to efficiently deliver the vital, high quality public services we all rely on, whilst ensuring value for money for taxpayers.
We know that public sector workers delivering our vital public services deserve timely pay awards. We announced 2025/26 pay awards two months earlier than last year, and remain committed to bringing 2026/27 pay announcements forwards further. That is why we are launching this pay round two months earlier than the previous round, and five months before the previous government commenced the 2024/25 round. I would be grateful if you could support an
Deleteearly pay announcement by submitting your report at the earliest point that allows you to give due consideration to the relevant evidence.
I recognise that changing the timeline from recent years will present challenges for you, but I am sure you also share the government’s belief in the importance of returning to a timelier annual pay process. To enable you to submit your report earlier, my department will aim to cooperate with all your deadlines and bring the evidence process forward.
In closing, I would like to thank you personally for your work over your tenure as Chair of the PSPRB and to wish you well for the future. I look forward to working with your successor and the PSPRB during the upcoming pay round.
Yours sincerely, James (Timpson)
I don’t think opening with “My job has made me cry and feel anxious” sets the right tone. Personally, it’s never made me cry, though like many, I do sometimes feel anxious. But I know a lot of strong, competent probation staff, and I’m not comfortable with narratives that portray us as fragile or diminish our resilience, regardless of gender.
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen practitioners, managers and SPOs break down under pressure, but usually that’s because the role isn’t the right fit for them. That said, the person in this article seems decent. Still, there’s a very robotic, polished tone to the article, feels like it was written, screened or approved by senior management.
This stands in stark contrast to the previous article by the essay competition winner on probation supervision. That one felt raw, honest, and grounded in real experience. I’d be curious to know, did senior management approve that one too?
“The scariest situation was when... It was frightening.” … “free drinks from Cafe Nero or Greggs.”
DeleteThis is a manager? Seriously!
Of course its a 'manager' - they've no idea what they're saying from one moment to the next, just spouting contradictory word salad for
Delete"I haven't ever felt scared... The scariest situation was when... Of course there are days when I don't want to go in..."
hmpps recruitment shyte.
This one? It felt raw, honest, and grounded in real experience.
ReplyDeleteProbation and Community Supervision: A 'Magic' Journey
https://probationmatters.blogspot.com/2025/07/new-recruits.html?m=1
Sadly, despite the many words & enthusiastic posts about magic & tears & befriending, no-one with any authority gives a crap.. the cobbler is fixated on engendering lovely relations with his old prison chums, mahmood is morphing into braverman, starmer is looking more & more like a proto-farage with a quiff, & reeves seems so far out of her depth... Meanwhile the badenoch is desperate to make the tories newsworthy; she's invited a rhohypnol poisoner into the cabinet in a bid to prevent jenrick from stealing her crown.
ReplyDeleteYou literally just had a manager with a call to action. No magic words there just straight talking. https://probationmatters.blogspot.com/2025/07/outlier-england.html?m=1
Deletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3nxde54jvo
ReplyDeletemental health & prison
A prison watchdog has said it was "difficult" to see how the care and management of an inmate who died by suicide could have been different.
Really?
"... sentenced to eight years in prison in 2020 for the attempted rape of a 17-year-old... also sentenced to life in prison after wounding another inmate... had a history of poor mental health and personality disorders... seen daily by mental health nurses and was prescribed antipsychotic and antidepressant medicines... assaulted both staff and prisoners, used threatening and abusive language and frequently self-harmed... The day before his death, he had headbutted an officer in the face. Staff were told they would then only be able to unlock the inmate's door if four officers in PPE were present... He was observed by staff every hour that night who did not report any concerns... On the morning of his death, he had self-harmed... supervising officer decided the prisoner should continue to be checked on by staff every hour... he was declared dead a few hours later following a suicide attempt..."
How "difficult" was it to recognise that prison was NOT the right environment for the "care & management" of someone with a complex & chronic history of mental illness; someone who was "seen daily by mental health nurses and was prescribed antipsychotic and antidepressant medicines" ?
https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/ethics-integrity-commission-acoba-mcfadden-plans-ministerial-standards
ReplyDeleteThis will please MPs
"As part of the standards overhaul, the government will close the Advisory Committee for Business Appointments, which vets the jobs that ministers and senior officials take after leaving government to avoid conflicts of interest. Acoba’s functions will be split between the Civil Service Commission and the prime minister’s independent adviser on ministerial standards.
Acoba has long been criticised for being “toothless”. Along with its abolishment, the Cabinet Office has announced that the business appointments system, which aims to prevent former ministers and senior officials from improperly profiting from their time in government, will be strengthened.
Under the reforms, former ministers found to have seriously breached the rules after leaving office will be asked to repay any severance payments they have received.
Further changes have been announced to place restrictions on severance pay-offs.
Currently, ministers are entitled to a severance payment equivalent to three months’ salary when they leave office for any reason and regardless of how long they’ve been in the job.
Under the changes, ministers who leave office following a serious breach of the ministerial code, or having served for fewer than six months, will not get a severance payment. And ministers who return to office within three months of leaving will forgo their salary until the end of that three-month period."
Plus:
"The Civil Service Commission will also undertake regular audits of how individual government departments oversee the application of the rules for former civil servants."
+ Anyone heard what happened to rees (or whatever she's called) since she was dumped?
Amy Rees
Director General Chief Executive HMPPS 2022 to 2025
Related parties:
Giles Mason – Prison Group Director, Wales – husband
Charlotte Patterson-Rideout – Sodexo – friend
Claudia Strurt – Custody and Immigration Director, Serco – friend
"Dr Jo Farrar CB OBE became the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice in July 2025."
"Rees will continue in her role as interim perm sec until Farrar (currently chief executive at the public body NHS Blood and Transplant) takes up the position. Phil Copple and Michelle Jarman-Howe will continue as interim chief executive and interim director general of operations at HMPPS, respectively."
refs: dotgovdotuk pages
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-justice-register-of-board-members-interests/ministry-of-justice-register-of-board-members-interests
Charlotte Pattison-Rideout
DeleteDirector of Business Development - Justice UK&I at Sodexo
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-23778279
An inmate at a women's prison was held in segregation for more than five years, an inspection report has revealed.
The discovery was made during an unannounced visit to HMP Bronzefield near Ashford, Surrey, in April.
Nick Hardwick, the chief inspector of prisons, said it amounted to "cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment".
Claudia Sturt, Prisons and Immigration Director, Serco; previous roles include:
2021 - 2023 Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board
2016 - 2021 Director, Security, Order and Counter Terrorism at the National Offender Management Service, now HM Prison and Probation Service
2009-2016 Deputy Director, Custody responsible for South Central Region and Public Sector Immigration Removal Centres, National Offender Management Service
2002-2009 Governor, Winchester, Erlestoke, Dartmoor and Belmarsh prisons
https://www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news/claudia-sturt-quits-as-yjb-chief-executive/
CYP Now understands that the YJB’s senior management team were given just 24-hours’ notice about Sturt’s decision to resign, leaving the organisation “in shock”.
Giles Mason
DeletePrison Group Director
Public Sector Prisons in Wales
https://cloud-platform-e218f50a4812967ba1215eaecede923f.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/19/2025/05/Berwyn-web-2025.pdf
During this inspection we identified 13 key concerns, of which six should be treated as priorities. Priority concerns are those that are most important to improving outcomes for prisoners. They require immediate attention by leaders and managers.
The Magic Roundabout (from 2022):
Delete"Amy Rees – previously the Director General of Probation, Wales and Youth for HMPPS - will succeed Dr Jo Farrar who will focus on her wider role as Second Permanent Secretary at the MOJ, including digital transformation of justice services.
Under the restructure, following an operating model review led by the MOJ Permanent Secretary Antonia Romeo, Phil Copple will become Director General of Operations for Prisons and Probation."
the other NJC trade unions to accept the employers’ offer of 3.2% (with backpay to 1 April
ReplyDeleteYot staff pay award
My thoughts are with the probation officer was was stabbed yesterday in the North West. Hope she makes a full recovery.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteFOI:
Dear Ministry of Justice,
Could you please provide the following information:
1) An annual breakdown of expenditure on support services for prison leavers on probation between 2005 and 2023. This could include everything from advice services, treatment/support for drug addiction, employment support, etc. If such data isn't available for the entire period between 2005 and 2023, please provide it for the years for which it is available.
2) An annual breakdown of expenditure on accommodation for prison leavers on probation between 2005 and 2023. Again, please provide this information for the years for which it is available, if it's not available for the entire period noted above.
Many thanks,
Yours faithfully,
Daniel Woodward
The request was refused by Ministry of Justice.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8k0g49n8po?fbclid=IwY2xjawLt-IRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvqeenwFd53QZlKjFRmKAzXHeaAcD33RRoxKkoqBIZLmbi9J4O9yvW-tHtIB_aem_-WPubWS970FPdBb2lsTsGA
ReplyDeleteWe do not get paid enough to put our lives at risk.
All staff call cancelled tomorrow, nice to know they care.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a probation officer was stabbed at work.
DeleteLancashire Police said a woman in her 30s was treated for stab wounds in hospital following the attack at The Pavilions in Ashton, Preston, at 14:30 BST on Tuesday.
"A 35-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to cause alarm or distress and causing grievous bodily harm with intent," the force said.
It added: "This is being treated as an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the public."
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: "Police are investigating an attack on a probation officer in Preston, and our thoughts are with them, their family and their colleagues."
The spokesman added: "We will not tolerate assaults on our hardworking staff and will always push for the strongest punishments against perpetrators."
Albert Edward House
DeletePROPERTY OVERVIEW
The property comprises a building which is part two storey part three storey providing a number of self-contained units offering office accommodation.
The property is located within the Pavilions Development to the South of Preston Docklands. Close to Preston town centre and is within close proximity to Preston Railway Station and the nearest major road (M55).
24 Hour Controlled Access
Security System
Kitchen
Storage Space
Central Heating
Fully Carpeted
Lift Access
Natural Light
Perimeter Trunking
Yard
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/25336271.man-arrested-suspicion-attempted-murder-preston/
DeleteThe incident is believed to have happened at Diadem House which houses the Preston Probation Office. Witnesses said they saw armed police attending the site.
A police spokesperson said: "A 35-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to cause alarm or distress and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He remains in custody.
But no extra security measures at offices apparently!!! They really don't give a crap!!!
ReplyDeleteDon’t worry… there’s always good old PAM assist to pick up the pieces…
DeletePut any security officers in probation they will become a target .
Deletehttps://centralbylines.co.uk/news/uk/we-need-to-talk-about-serco/
ReplyDeleteJB this interesting may need a place on its own. Given offenders are on the streets .
What does Serco do?
DeleteIt runs things for other people – usually for governments. Things like prisons, hospital catering, city bicycle schemes, sleeper trains. If you don’t want to run a service yourself, Serco will happily do it for you.
Here’s just a handful of things that Serco does:
It supplies electronic tagging equipment for prisoners and asylum seekers for the Ministry of Justice.
It runs Yarl’s Wood immigration centre in Bedfordshire.
It houses asylum seekers in England, and previously in Scotland.
From 2006-2015, it managed the GP out-of-hours service in Cornwall.
It runs school inspection services for Ofsted in the Midlands.
So why do they keep getting these lovely, lucrative contracts?
We don’t know the answer to that. But a ‘revolving door’ between Serco and the UK government has been noticed. The company CEO is Rupert Soames, (grandson of Tory MP Winston Churchill, son of Tory MP Christopher Soames, brother of Tory MP Nicholas Soames). Tory MP for Charnwood, Edward Argar is currently a junior health minister and has also held a post at the Ministry of Justice. Before he became an MP in 2015, he was head of public affairs at Serco UK and Europe.
Befriending:
Claudia Sturt, bff of amy rees (apparently) & Prisons and Immigration Director, Serco; previous roles include:
2021 - 2023 Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board
2016 - 2021 Director, Security, Order and Counter Terrorism at the National Offender Management Service, now HM Prison and Probation Service
2009-2016 Deputy Director, Custody responsible for South Central Region and Public Sector Immigration Removal Centres, National Offender Management Service
2002-2009 Governor, Winchester, Erlestoke, Dartmoor and Belmarsh prisons
Are you surprised? Yet further proof that ‘they’ don’t care about those on the front line. Poor building conditions, non existent safety measures, awful pay, dangerous workloads, spineless unions... need I go on
ReplyDeleteSpeculation on my part, but is this incident indicative of the change in the nature of the relationship between probation staff and those they supervise?
ReplyDeleteIf your role is to surveil and punish are you part of the problem or the solution.
When people are continuously squeezed and pressurised they may not react in a positive manner.
My thoughts and sympathies are with the injured staff member. It could have been any of us.
https://basw.co.uk/about-social-work/psw-magazine/articles/its-time-social-work-and-probation-reconnect-england-and
ReplyDeleteIt’s time social work and probation reconnect in England and Wales
With the Probation Service in turmoil and reoffending rates rising, social work lecturer Caroline Bald and social worker Keith Skerman call for radical thinking
How do we fix it?
DeleteThe most important reform would be to ensure the training, qualifications and professional development of probation officers are in social work, with PQiP as a career specialism like AMHP in mental health. The inclusion of criminal justice in this would have a positive impact on children’s and adults social work practice as well.
Currently, university probation trainers on PQIP cannot arrange social work placements for trainee probation officers due to MoJ restrictions, although the values and approach to rehabilitation include social work principles.
The restoration of social work practice and qualifications for probation officers would help overcome the problem of retention and of wider engagement and professional development of probation officers within the social work sector.
The new government has announced funding for 1,000 trainee probation officers, which is a big opportunity to make the change back to social work.
There are skills and knowledge in probation which would also benefit social workers in other settings through training and multi-disciplinary work, including criminal justice and the voluntary sector.
Other stakeholders have noticed gaps in knowledge about criminal justice issues among children’s and adults’ social workers.
The inclusion of holistic social work skills has a great deal to offer the rehabilitation of offenders and their communities. But the separation of social work and probation has led to a loss of interdisciplinary knowledge, skills and collaboration in person-centred interventions, addiction, trauma, mental health, domestic violence, family mediation, as well as working with those with lived experience and the focus on social capital. These are integral to social work practice and local community partnerships which could help reduce reoffending.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland criminal justice social workers never had their social work training and qualifications removed. They remain within, or allied to, local authorities – with better outcomes and reduced retention issues compared to those in England and Wales.
Local delivery of probation is largely absent due to the civil service-run HM Prison Probation Service (HMPPS). Hence the governance and performance regime is disconnected from local networks and communities and is focused largely on prison discharges.
DeleteThere is limited or patchy probation involvement with local partners in key social work issues like safeguarding, domestic violence or lived experience within marginalised communities. The over-representation of Black, ethnic and other minorities in prisons illustrates the need to combine probation with local partners in work with offenders.
The Youth Justice Board model has been more successful achieving higher quality performance and outcomes than the HMPPS. Youth Justice is also networked with local stakeholders such as councils or police and crime commissioners.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has shown how local joint commissioning of support to ex-offenders can be successfully developed between probation, the police and crime commissioner and local partners.
There is concern about restructuring within the probation service. And local authorities experiencing unprecedented financial and capacity pressures in social care and generally are are wary of any transfers of responsibility without adequate resources.
However, there is also a gathering consensus that the current situation is not working for staff, offenders or victims.
Councils are also inevitably involved in victims and offenders through housing, care leavers, mental health and victim support. Engagement and partnership at a practitioner level is both practical and essential for probation and social work alongside better managed workloads and investment in community sentences and prison licences.
Social work practitioners, trainers and stakeholders all have an opportunity to submit views to the government review of sentencing chaired by David Gauke this month. We advocate putting probation central to restoring rehabilitation and restorative justice within our communities.
A locally delivered and expanded Probation Service with social work skills and networks, combined with better use of technology, should be part of the solution to reducing prison admissions.
Improved performance and transparency of outcomes of probation delivery in the rehabilitation of offenders in the community would come with localised partnerships and governance. Equally, social work would benefit from closing the gap that exists in England and Wales across the profession in not having criminal justice in scope.
Radical improvements are needed to achieve this ambition, alongside wider reforms in the criminal justice system and across social work.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/10/alarm-plan-less-qualified-probation-staff-sex-offenders-england-wales
ReplyDeleteDomestic abusers and sex offenders in England and Wales will be rehabilitated by less-experienced staff with fewer qualifications from June, prompting warnings from a watchdog that the plans must be closely monitored to ensure public safety.
DeleteProposals approved by ministers will roll out behaviour programmes for offenders to be delivered by “band 3” staff who are not fully qualified probation officers.
The work is currently carried out by highly skilled “band 4” probation officers who have extensive experience dealing with rapists, paedophiles, violent partners and online abusers.
There are also plans to cut the number of low- and medium-risk offenders required to sit through the twice-weekly rehabilitation courses. Probation officers will instead be expected to manage these offenders through “toolkits” at weekly meetings rather than completing the specially designed programmes.
Officials will also scrap some intervention programmes for sex offenders such as Horizon, Kaizen and iHorizon. They are expected to be replaced with a single scheme called Building Choices.
Martin Jones, the chief inspector of probation, said the government must closely monitor the new courses to ensure public safety.
“HM Prison and Probation Service needs to ensure that it is certain and keeps under review the effectiveness of those programmes to ensure that they don’t end up in a position in a number of years’ time when they’ve spent a lot of public money, and those programmes have not delivered the sort of changes that we would want.”
Jones said he was aware that staff had been concerned about the changes for months. “It has caused a lot of disquiet amongst probation officers,” he said.
Whitehall sources are worried that far from slashing the burden of probation officers, the changes could increase their workload.
It is likely to fuel concerns about the effectiveness of probation work after damning reports into five murders and two sexual offences committed by two men who were under supervision.
DeleteTwo weeks ago, the justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced that rehabilitation courses for 13,000 convicted criminals would be cancelled because of probation officers’ “impossible” workloads.
One probation source said: “The MoJ [Ministry of Justice] has been told by its own staff that there are real reputational risks for the probation service.
“There are also huge concerns over the way the rehabilitation courses have been redesigned. To make sure these courses work, there must be qualified staff on hand to deal with those in denial.
“If you have a man who is expressing denial about his offence, people in that group will challenge him, and peer challenge is part of the reason that those groups are so effective.
“Peer-to-peer challenges are more likely to happen in groups with high- and medium-risk offenders.”
Mahmood said in mid-February that courses where criminals are forced to confront their behaviour would be ditched for many “low-risk” offenders as probation officers target more serious criminals.
They will still receive supervision from a probation officer and any breaches of a licence condition could put them back in prison, she said.
“We will ensure those offenders who pose a higher risk and who need to receive these courses will do so,” Mahmood added. “This isn’t a decision I take lightly, but it is a decision to confront the reality of the challenges facing the probation service.”
Asked by reporters how low-risk offenders would be assessed to have their courses cancelled, the justice secretary said it would be decided on risk of harm and risk of reoffending rather than offences committed.
Mahmood also plans to recruit 1,300 probation officers by March 2026 and introduce technology to stop staff “drowning” in paperwork when more time could be spent supervising offenders. The staff will be in addition to 1,000 officers to be recruited by this March.
Jones praised Mahmood’s decision to restructure the probation service at the announcement, saying that there were “too few staff, with too little experience, managing too many cases”.
An MoJ spokesperson said: “Our first priority is keeping the public safe, which is why the probation service is focusing resources on those offenders that pose the greatest risk.
“Probation staff are only able to deliver accredited programmes if they have been fully trained do so. This will not change as part of the proposal being developed.”
U clearly haven’t been in the service long enough to see it for what it is. Did ur manager ask u to write this rubbish 😂. If u only have 400 pops in ur area and the scariest thing u seen is basically nothing then no wonder u think the job is amazing. One day u may venture out of that satiety net and see the rest of the service. I’m sure the Preston staff are grateful for ur contribution. My thoughts and prayers are with the poor lady who was harmed in Preston, her family, her friends and all the staff who have to try carry on today. No career is worth this - period. We are not safe in our work places and more needs to be done.
ReplyDeleteThe Preston assault could have been any of us as the previous poster said, has there been an official comment from Napo or the SOS on this matter yet.?
ReplyDeleteYes. There has been a comment by NAPO . It does beg the question about how tight security is in probation offices up and down the country.
DeleteSecurity is nonexistent in all offices. That needs to change.
DeleteNapo members everywhere will be shocked at the news of an extremely serious incident in Preston on Tuesday, where a Probation worker was attacked and seriously injured. As an active Police investigation is underway we will make no further comment on the circumstances of the incident itself at this time.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts are with the injured worker, their family and colleagues, especially those who witnessed this attack and it's aftermath.
None of us should be subject to this, or any other act of violence or abuse. The incident was referenced at a meeting yesterday between the Lord Chancellor and the Probation Trade Unions and is a stark reminder of the day-to-day risks that are faced by staff who are simply trying to do their best to serve the public.
Napo will play a full part in the internal investigation the employer has announced given this is clearly a serious health and safety incident.
Members of Napo's Cumbria and Lancashire Branch who may have witnessed the incident, or others who may require support from their trade union, should in the first instance contact your Branch Link Officer and Official Dully Gill dgill@napo.org.uk and Ranjit Singh rsingh@napo.org.uk
Oh well with napo looking to fully cooperate with any inquiry quote "play" are they serious ? Napo this is no game. This is the state of every office everywhere these days. Napo your out of touch. Your Napo wordy game play is a disgusting cynical attempt to gain publicity and attention. Alluding to be doing something as if you have a position. Yet you have no merit here you have done nothing on health and safety nothing in case management no assesment of the levels of risk or professional boundary. You have got no records of any stark public managerial warnings.
DeleteWhat if this happens again what is Napo record going to look like. everything will be ok then will it? F\ OFF Napo where were you on excessive workloads role boundary staff protections on accelerated risk management in community . Lifer orders serious and dangerous violent case management minority and terrorist issues . I'll tell you Napo hiding in any corner behind the rats. You don't offer anything of value or protection of the members Napo negligence and hypocrisy are stunning.
We need a proper union proper outrage at this attack and proper full protections from the factors which lead us to such terrible events. No longer is probation seen as the reflective mature voice of offender support services so now we are the same bureaucratic antagonist.
A 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene of the incident and has now been charged.
ReplyDeleteRyan Gee, 35, of no fixed address, has been charged with attempted murder, threatening a person with an offensive weapon/bladed article in a private place, two offences of possession of a knife blade in a public place, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and false imprisonment.
He has been remanded in custody to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court today (24 July).
Preston probation had moved in September 24 and merged with NW regional office at Diadem House. There is to be an internal investigation and the team are devastated by the traumatic incident. The charges only scratch the surface of the reality of what happened
ReplyDeleteIf that happened in a probation office how safe are we when we do home visits?????
ReplyDeleteIf they have a home they are more likely to be more stable mentally. I don't think any offender is going to be sitting on his sofa at home waiting to stab his probation officer when she comes to do a planned visit. The perp in this case was homeless...
DeleteI wish this Officer a swift recovery physically and mentally and hope she gets adequate support from the service.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately knowing many of our managers they'll investigate it as and SFO and probably shift the blame to whoever was managing him, hopefully not the victim herself
The internal investigation has been directed by ministers I believe. Unions are to be involved and I am aware that people will shout to make their voices heard.
DeleteHer SPO will probably get sacked..
DeleteThere will be a direction for a full review of caseloads, identifying any offenders with weapon offences or assaults on emergency workers. Those cases will need a separate risk assessment, all done by the already overworked PO. We neeed body armour, pava, and screened interview areas. We need to strike not only due to the insult that is our pay but also our working conditions.
DeleteJust to say, I am an SPO and you wouldn't catch me spouting all the nonsense above. The job is bloody hard, staff work tirelessly and relentlessly. I am saddened about the Preston incident but not in the slightest bit surprised. I can't see the situation improving any time soon and feel completely disillusioned with the direction this is all going in and envisage we will sadly only have more incidents like Preston. I , like most of my staff, am looking for a route out and despair at the mess the service is in.
ReplyDeleteAnon 22:06 SPO here too. Likewise, this above doesn’t reflect how I work, nor how the probation practitioners in our team work. I don’t do corporate BS either.
ReplyDeleteBut the reflections in the last recent post from another SPO really capture what probation work is about for me: the journey, the experience, and genuine recommendations to improve conditions and the service as a whole.
My heart goes out to the Preston PO.
https://probationmatters.blogspot.com/2025/07/new-recruits.html?m=1
21.10 hits the nail on the head.
ReplyDeleteDo you seriously think ‘they,’ are going to accept any responsibility once they have investigated themselves.
They will undoubtedly point to mistakes in the level of risk attributable to the person charged and claim that the victim didn’t follow some procedure or another which is presumably detailed in a dossier of bulging incomprehensible and contradictory policy files.
This has been a long time coming and the defences will already have been rehearsed. Teflon coatings are being applied as we recoil in horror at what has been done to a colleague.
Questions must be asked as to how he was able to carry three weapons (two knives and an imitation gun) into a Probation office. Not too long ago there was was an incident outside a nearby probation office involving a machete. Many of our attendees are of no fixed abode and arm themselves with weapons. They are therefore more likely than not to attend appointments with them as where can they leave them? Others carry them for other reasons. We need metal detectors installed in ALL offices and worksites for UPW immediately and as a bare minimum. Strange how lockdown was imposed overnight to protect us from a virus, but nothing has yet been imposed to protect us following the attempted murder of a colleague. The silence is deafening. That's how much we matter to the powers that be.
ReplyDeleteNo ones going to come to appointments if they can't take their weapons and nowhere to leave them and if they do put through a metal detector there will be non stop arrests all day for possession of offensive weapons...
DeleteYeah no statement from the head of HMPPS about the incident. Quite telling how inept they are.
Deleteoct 2024: "Minister @JamesTCobbler
Deleteunveils Preston's new Probation Delivery Unit, which doubles as the North West's probation headquarters.
This vital hub will strengthen our probation services across the region, helping to reduce reoffending and protect communities."
They will say she should have brought him into the fishbowl if she knew he was prone to violence or would react badly to what they would discuss during supervision..
ReplyDeletehttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/crime-cutting-courts-to-target-prolific-offending-hotspots
ReplyDelete'Getafix
The warning signs have been there for a long time. We have already had cases of people coming in with knives and threatening to harm themselves in front of staff. Many offices are next-door to court buildings where there have been metal detectors for years. Yet no protection for Probation staff in the community and we have to sit there and just hope they don't have weapons or a piece of cord etc. I don't know what you mean by the 'fishbowl ' . Many offices have nothing like this and if someone meant to attack you all the panic alarms would be useless and you wouldn't get out in time. HMPPS have completed no major risk assessment into our role and suitability of our offices in years so there has been a major breach of duty of care.This should be a wake up call because just because it may be rare occurrence it doesn't mean it won't happen again. Times have changed and this is the new reality, weapons have become normalised in this society. Times have changes so risks have changed and HMPPS has failed to notice this or put meadures in place to protect staff.I just hope the victim gets the support she needs and can recover physically and emotionally 🙏 and that the organisation take responsibility and don't victim blame.
ReplyDeleteThe fishbowl is a room where you enter from a door from the staff area and the service user enters from the reception area and there is a glass panel seperating you and everyone in the reception area can see you through a window including the reception staff. I think most offices have a setup where you can at least escape through a door behind you back to the staff area...
Deletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwygyvy1e7yo
ReplyDeleteA man has been charged with attempted murder after a probation officer was stabbed at work.
DeleteLancashire Police said a woman in her 30s was treated for stab wounds in hospital following the attack at The Pavilions in Ashton, Preston, at 14:30 BST on Tuesday.
Ryan Gee, 35 and of no fixed address, is due before Preston Magistrates' Court, accused of attempted murder, threatening a person with an offensive weapon/bladed article in a private place, two counts of possessing a knife blade in a public place, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and false imprisonment.
A police spokesman said the injured woman was in a stable condition in hospital.
Haven't we been here before? Can't remember what the court hearings were called or what happened to them. People attended court so the Magistrates could monitor their progress under orders and hear about drug test results.
ReplyDeleteWere they called DRR courts.
ReplyDeleteHaven't we been here before... people attended review courts to monitor progress under Orders and drug tests. Not sure what happened to them.
ReplyDeleteThey were deemed costly, time consuming and expendable as the Conservatives were looking to make major cuts to the Courts. I found them extremely useful for both motivation and at times punishment as the Review courts had the power to revoke and resentence the offenders immediately to custody. The Judges also, on the whole, were very much in favour as they could see actual progress, or not, by the offenders and saw what work and effort the Probation Drr teams were doing along side partnership agencies. Probation human side has been gutted over the years and we are often seen as more an obstacle and hindrance by the offenders and now just looking to catch them out and punishment them. Im just surprised more officers haven't been physically attacked, although verbal threats of harm are a pretty much daily occurance in the offices I work in.
DeleteHas Kim Thornden Edward’s said anything? Jo Farrar? Yet again we’re dispensable. Stabbings of Prison Officers get National News coverage yet nothing for a Probation Officer. My heart is broken for that PO and her team at the deep trauma they will be going through,
ReplyDeleteThey started out as DTTO review review courts,they became DRR review courts but the inevitable decline of court review set in when review was optional for DRRs of less than 12 months. Review courts were incredibly resource intensive for police, probation and courts. Probation couldn't keep up with the demand for review reports, police couldn't support a dedicated police officer, courts couldn't set aside a court room with justices. The whole thing powered down, death by a thousand cuts. As a former DTTO and DRR SPO who moved into courts I sometimes begged courts to review orders to little good effect. DRR specialist teams had more success keeping up with reviews, but generic OMs couldn't see the point and seldom had access to drug test reports. The whole process became a waste of time. I cannot recall the last time my courts reviewed a DRR but then when did they last make such an order? Such a shame as they really are a good things that had good outcomes keeping offenders motivated and sticking with treatment.
ReplyDeleteThe question we should ask is why did these court reviews fall out of favour? The closing of courts up and down the country placed intolerable pressure on the availability of judges and reviews were quietly put aside,so what has changed, do an FOI request as to how many outstanding PSR s there are in the North West for the answer…….but you won’t get an answer due to the potential for reputational damage !,
ReplyDeleteOnce again it has to be asked who in a position of authority or power gives a crap about probation when our govt is in thrall to a convicted felon, sexual predator & intellectually challenged bigoted bully:
ReplyDelete"Sir Keir Starmer has rejected calls from MPs to immediately recognise a Palestinian state, as US President Donald Trump arrived in the UK amid the continued desperate situation in Gaza." - Evening Standard, David Lynch
https://chng.it/CVqxwqqsTV
ReplyDeleteThis petition to mandate security in probation offices is gaining traction but I guarantee change won’t happen
No coverage on sky news, barely a mention anywhere.. They will try and play it down till it happens again, which it will...
Delete"The Issue
DeleteA female Probation Officer Colleague from the Preston probation office was horrifically stabbed by an offender on licence whilst at the probation office. This brutal attack was not only devastating for her and her family but also sent a shockwave across all probation officers and their families, highlighting the urgent need for robust security measures at probation facilities.
Probation officers serve a crucial role in our justice system, helping to rehabilitate offenders and integrate them back into society. Despite their vital work, probation offices are often inadequately equipped to provide a safe working environment for these courageous individuals.
Currently, many probation offices do not have dedicated security personnel, nor do they consistently use metal detectors or other screening methods to ensure the safety of their staff and visitors. This oversight places probation officers at significant risk, potentially exposing them to threats and violence from the very individuals they are working to help rehabilitate.
Implementing security protocols such as having security staff on-premises and utilizing walk-through metal detectors at all probation offices can significantly reduce the risk of violent incidents. These measures are commonplace in other public service environments, such as airports and courthouses, and should be standard for probation facilities as well.
Investing in security is not just about protecting staff; it is also about upholding the integrity of the justice system by ensuring probation officers can perform their duties without fear for their own safety. Ensuring their safety will enable them to focus on their work, providing guidance and support to offenders and contributing positively to public safety."
8,368 Signatures already !!
DeleteContext is everything.
Delete9,883 verified signatures @ 27/7/25
21,022 Full time equivalent staff in post for the Probation Service (PS) @end March 2025
64,769 FTE staff in hmpps @end March 2025
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: “Police are investigating an attack on a probation officer in Preston, and our thoughts are with them, their family and their colleagues.”
ReplyDelete“We will not tolerate assaults on our hardworking staff and will always push for the strongest punishments against perpetrators.”
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2020/sep/15/maximum-jail-term-attacking-emergency-workers-doubled
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/looking-after-our-people-the-prison-service-employee-package/looking-after-our-people-the-prison-service-employee-package--2
As far as I can see Probation Staff aren't classed as Emergency Workers like Prison staff are unless someone can correct me? Perhaps one HMPPS double standards extends to not only Pay but also Protection of its staff...
DeleteWhere 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?
ReplyDeleteStaying 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.
The lack of respect for the Probation Service runs through the courts also. The final straw for me was ushers barging in on oral report interviews demanding to know how much longer it would be after about ten minutes.
DeleteI’ve never liked the “servant of the court” label!
DeleteAs life becomes more difficult for increasing numbers of people in a variety of ways & as politicians progress policies that promote division, the anger in the population rises and those who have public-facing roles - especially those whose roles can involve challenges from the people they see - are increasingly at risk of abuse &/or violence.
ReplyDeletehttps://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-09-15/debates/8BD2751F-8A9E-4D31-8092-43F3298937A8/AbuseOfPublic-FacingWorkers(Offences)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93k3zpewl4o
https://www.britsafe.org/safety-management/2025/violence-against-retail-workers-a-growing-workplace-crisis
https://www.unison.org.uk/news/2025/03/nurses-and-midwives-subjected-to-violence-at-work-on-a-daily-basis-according-to-unison-nursing-times-survey/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/emergency-workers-to-be-better-protected-from-racial-abuse
My cases asking for accomodation don't appreciate we cant help them but we hotel immigrants who then work delivering food and have no problems eating working and buying clothing smoking and gambling nothing is right for clients and I can see why.
ReplyDeleteIf we could hotel offenders and put them on a work programme delivering food why not they won't reoffend as they can have the benefits of being looked after. Treats for cheats is not unreasonable nowadays.
DeleteDrugs alcohol what ever the disparity in support is incredible under labour.
DeleteThere is no social housing anymore, especially if you are a single male, or you have to relocate to a place hundreds of miles away where you know noone...There are a lot less landlords taking those on benefits because they know they can still rent out their shitholes for market rate and private rents are unaffordable even if an offender is working.. The situation is hopeless and more and more are coming to the realisation they would be better off spending the rest of their lives in prison...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2v4mgmpjyo
DeleteSome prisoners are facing spending longer in prison due to a shortage of approved probation accommodation.
DeleteAn annual report by the Independent Monitoring Board into HMP Leyhill, in South Gloucestershire, found that some prisoners stayed in the Category D prison longer than expected.
Many also experience delays in getting parole due to the limited availability of overnight stays in approved premises.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/address-cheks-post-custody-policy-framework
DeleteThis Policy Framework sets out the mandatory requirements, and general guidance, for Probation staff when they review residential addresses for those individuals released from custody under their supervision.
This explains what needs to be checked and who must be consulted, as well as how to consult with existing occupiers of those addresses and what evidence where the individual is living alone.
While under the supervision of the Probation Service, all individuals released post custody may only reside as approved by their Probation Practitioner. This is as set out in the standard licence condition which is explained in the Licence Conditions Policy Framework.
Spot on re lack of public housing and exploitative landlords. There's all this talk about 'migrant hotels' and both the left and right come out to protest and counter protest the issue, and the ruling class milk this for all its worth, it's divide and rule 101. What's really needed is a programme of mass public house building and abolishing and/or seriously regulating landlordism.
DeleteMaking Data Great Again?
ReplyDelete"Data First unlocks the potential of the wealth of data created by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) by making linked administrative datasets from across the justice system available for research. The programme is led by MOJ and funded by Administrative Data Research UK (ADR UK), an investment by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Data from the courts, prison and probation services in England and Wales have been linked to enable new and innovative analysis of user journeys, interactions, and outcomes across the justice system. The programme is also enhancing the linking of justice data with other government departments, including education data from the Department for Education’s (DfE) National Pupil Database (NPD).
Data First enables researchers across government and academia to access these datasets in an ethical and responsible way via secure platforms in the ONS Secure Research Service and SAIL Databank.
By working in partnership with academic experts to facilitate and promote research in line with evidence priorities set out in the MOJ Areas of Research Interest (ARI) Data First is generating new insights to inform the development of government policy and drive real progress in improving justice outcomes."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-justice-data-first
this is how safe our prisons are:
ReplyDeleteA suite of printable tuberculosis (TB) awareness posters for use in prisons, including information on TB symptoms, risks and treatment.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-awareness-posters-for-prisons