Introducing Kashmir Garton

I joined the Probation Service in 1989 as a Probation Officer and have held several operational roles mainly in the Midlands area. My last operational role was Head of Public Protection and national lead for Domestic Abuse which I did for six years. In July 2021, I took up a new role as HQ Faith lead for the Probation Service to build on the work I commenced three years ago to strengthen our links with faith communities.

One of the greatest strengths of the Probation Service is our partnership work with other agencies, however, we have not always worked in partnership with faith communities. Faith communities can help people on probation to maintain their faith, reduce social exclusion and give a sense of belonging. Moreover, this support can continue long after the sentence is completed.  Research shows that faith and belief can be a protective factor and contribute to rehabilitation and desistance.

In October 2020, I launched the Faith Partnership Framework across HMPPS. This sets out the Probation Service’s commitment to work with all faith communities and to include faith and belief in our supervision. As Faith lead, I am supporting Probation regions to develop links with local faith communities, developing the Faith Awareness e-learning for all Probation staff, working with a PDU to pilot a safe referral process to faith groups, and planning the introduction of faith links within Approved Premises. I look forward to working with colleagues on this agenda.