Islwyn MP, Chris Evans has raised the issue of the huge number of experienced probation officers leaving the service.
Speaking this week in Westminster, Mr. Evans shared the fears of probation officers who feel they are not able to spend enough time with high-risk offenders.
In May the Chief Inspector of Probation, Justin Russell, told the Justice Select Committee that “the great majority of staff we are speaking to are saying that staff levels are simply not sufficient, and they feel their caseloads are unmanageable”.
The latest HMPPS workforce statistics show that the leaving rate for staff is now over 10%, the highest level on record – that’s 1,778 staff out of 17,560 exiting the service in the past 12 months.
Mr Evans shared the experience of a probation officer who was signed off work due to stress they said
‘We are losing no end of experienced officers and management doesn’t seem to care’
Mr Evans asked the Minister:
With record levels of staff leaving the service and overworked officers fearful any wrong decision could lead to tragedy, what specific actions will the minister take to improve working conditions?’
Following the question the Islwyn MP said:
‘Probation Officers are overworked and exhausted. Many experienced officers are leaving the profession for good. The Government must improve working conditions or risk tragedy as reoffenders slip through the net’
