Overview of the Probation Service 

Resettlement

• Use the dynamic framework to provide relevant and local resettlement services that complement the core offer in prisons.
• Create a short-sentence function to better address the needs, and reduce high reoffending levels, of those with short sentences.
• Enhance pre-release support that is closely coordinated with prisons and provide a consistent approach that meets an individual’s resettlement needs.

Courts

• Maximise our influence with courts so that we become a trusted voice for sentencers and defendants. This will support the courts to set appropriate conditions that protect the public and victims, and support successful rehabilitation.
• Increase the use and quality of pre-sentence reports to facilitate better sentence planning and management. Ensure a focus on women and ethnic minorities, who are more likely to receive prison sentences.

Digital

• Develop a seamless view of an individual’s journey through the probation system so we can better track their experiences and build a better understanding of what works.

Workforce

• Invest in our workforce to support development, attract and retain talent, create a diverse workforce, foster confident leaders, and promote wellbeing.

Sentence management

• Improve sentence management to encourage a greater focus on effective supervision to help protect the public and promote rehabilitation, wherever possible.

Interventions

• Improve interventions to better respond to individuals’ needs. This includes improvements to unpaid work and accredited programmes, introducing structured interventions, and securing the expertise of other sectors in the provision of rehabilitation and resettlement services.

Structure

• Create new regional leadership structures that enable greater local accountability, partnership working and provision of services that more closely meet individuals’ diverse needs.

Victim support

• Bring new victim contact operational guidance into use – training relevant staff in victim awareness. Pilot an expanded service for the victims contact scheme.

Environment

• Modernise our estate and technology so that our physical spaces create positive working environments. Enable better data recording and analysis to ensure more effective decision-making and reduce duplication in our systems.