Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with Sodexo Justice Services as a result of the findings of the HM Inspectorate of Probation report of 29 March 2019 on ways to provide more extensive training for Probation Officers in assessing and managing risk of harm to others.

The HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) report into South Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) awarded the service a rating of ‘requires improvement’. The Ministry of Justice recognises the importance of the findings of HMIP in relation to CRCs and will work with the provider to ensure that an appropriate plan is in place to address the identified areas for improvement.

We take seriously concerns raised by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) and others over staffing levels. All CRC contracts require the maintenance of a sufficient level of competent and adequately trained staff. We will work with South Yorkshire CRC to ensure that the issues of shortages of qualified probation officers and the assessment and management of risk of harm to others are addressed.

We have been clear that probation services need to improve and are taking decisive action to stabilise and improve the delivery of probation services, We are investing an additional £22m a year to ensure that CRCs deliver an enhanced Through the Gate service to offenders leaving prison. This will include sustained support to find accommodation and employment on discharge.

We have also taken decisive action by ending current CRC contracts early and last year, conducted a consultation on future arrangements. The proposals include measures to ensure the probation workforce is better supported to build their careers and deliver a high-quality service to offenders, such as introducing a standard training framework for staff and a national professional register to recognise the specialism and value of probation work. We are considering the feedback received and will set out detailed plans later this year.