Probation service staffing 'risking public safety'

Probation services in South East England are not doing enough to protect the public in some areas, a report has found.

HM Inspectorate of Probation said prison overpopulation and delays to sentencing were having a "destabilising effect" on the system.

But it added that services in Kent, Surrey and Sussex had improved since its last inspection.

"The government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis, placing significant strain on the Probation Service," said a Ministry of Justice spokesperson.

The inspectorate said at the time of the inspection in October 2025 the South East was operating with just under two thirds of roles staffed.

This reflected "longstanding staffing challenges for the region linked to proximity to London [and] high costs of living," it said.

The government said it was boosting probation funding by up to £700 million by 2028.

"We are recruiting another 1,300 probation officers by March to deliver robust supervision of offenders and protect the public," they added.

Martin Jones, chief inspector of probation, says a "primary concern" is the lack of quality information sharing between probation and police.

He said: "This was a long-standing issue which continues to undermine the region's ability to fully understand the risk posed by those they supervise and keep the public safe."

The report also found planning and reviewing by the services met standards in just over half of cases.

However, Jones added the region had introduced a range of innovative strategies, including using artificial intelligence, that were improving the situation.

"More support was needed for staff managing complex cases, particularly those involving domestic abuse," the inspectorate wrote.

The report says probation services need to ensure officers have sufficient skills, knowledge and experience.

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