November 7, 2006: Probation Union Response

Responding today to the Home Secretary’s statement on the Probation Service and to revelations in the BBC Panorama programme, Harry Fletcher, Assistant General Secretary of Probation Union Napo said:

“The Probation Service has been set over 30 targets by this Government. It is performing better than ever at all levels, indeed many targets are exceeded. Last year over 14,000 offenders under supervision were deemed high risk to the public. Most were ex-prisoners on parole. 0.6% of them were convicted of a further serious offence during 2005. The Probation Service does not have the resources or the authority to offer 24-hour surveillance of those offenders thought dangerous. The Home Secretary needs to look at why if prisoners are deemed dangerous or are a risk to the public they are being released in the first place.”

“Hostels are not, and cannot legally be, prisons. The majority of residents are ex-prisoners and nearly half are convicted sex offenders. All residents must observe hostel rules such as a night time curfew and a ban on drugs and alcohol. Any individual who breaches these rules risks being returned to custody. The Panorama programme does not criticise probation practice. If the Home Secretary wants more intensive supervision then he must supply considerable numbers of additional trained and experienced staff.”