The Guardian view on probation: overcrowded prisons need an outlet | Editorial

The early release of thousands of prisoners was bound to be awkward for a new prime minister. Politically speaking, Andy Burnham’s decision to exclude those convicted of manslaughter and some other offences made sense. But with about 2,000 offenders being freed this month, the risk is that by cutting the numbers, he has added to overcrowding problems inside. With the prison and probation services under huge pressure, and a ballot on industrial action expected, there is an urgent need for moves from the government to strengthen both.

Shielded from view as prisons are, and despite the efforts of campaigners and writers such as Jimmy McGovern to draw attention to them, conditions have been allowed to deteriorate to a shocking extent. The latest annual report from the prisons watchdog drew a dismal picture of rampant drug use, organised crime and governors wasting time on form-filling. It warned that the Prison Service’s managers appear to favour crisis management over improvement.

Criticisms of the probation service of England and Wales contained in the latest report by the Institute for Government’s (IfG) appear measured, by comparison. Probation’s problems are less attention-grabbing, and senior leaders are not singled out for blame. But analysis of the impact of sentencing reforms, combined with ongoing staff shortages and tagging failures, are cause for very serious concern all the same. This is a vital public service that was already facing serious difficulties before its caseload was massively enlarged.

Problems date back to the failed part-privatisation of the service. The IfG highlights the toll of “near-constant organisational change”. One result has been de-skilling, with staff increasingly reliant on risk-management protocols rather than judgment. The number of recalls to prison due to breached conditions, rather than new offences, undermines rehabilitation and worsens overcrowding. But an overstretched workforce seems unable to break this cycle. There is simply not enough time to build relationships.

The failure to fit 45% of tags on time is obviously unacceptable; ministers need to get a grip and explain what is happening. The IfG also recommends further sentencing reforms aimed at making the system clearer. Rightly, it points out that the growing gap between jail sentences imposed in court and time actually served risks undermining trust and angering victims. Similarly, licence periods should end at the point where supervision ceases. Currently, there is a pretence that more people are serving community sentences than is actually the case. This places the probation service in a false position.

The pay dispute is the immediate challenge. As part of a settlement, ministers should pledge to rebuild capacity and fill vacancies. Looking further ahead, probation needs closer links to the local services that can help offenders to get back on their feet. The merger with the Prison Service has failed to deliver promised gains.

Managing risks to the public must remain a priority. But Enver Solomon, who leads Nacro, the criminal justice charity, is right to argue for a more “person-centred” style of probation work. No one who knows anything about prisons thinks that they are fulfilling their rehabilitation remit. A renewed focus on purposeful activity inside jails is needed. But as increased numbers of prisoners are diverted towards probation, the service needs resources to deliver what is asked of it.

• Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.