The probation service will recruit 1,300 new probation officers next year, to protect the public and make our streets safer.

Speaking at a probation office in London, Shabana set out her vision for the future of the probation service, in her role as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.

In addition to announcing new officers, Shabana committed the service to new technology to do away with endless paperwork, earlier intervention to prevent reoffending causes by drugs and homelessness, and more intensive supervision of high-risk offenders.

Speaking about the future of the service, Shabana said:

The Probation Service must focus more time with offenders who are a danger to the public, and the prolific offenders whose repeat offending make life a misery for so many.

 

That means for low-risk offenders, we need to change our approach too. We need to tackle the root causes of their reoffending, and end a one-size-fits-all approach that isn’t working.

 

The first job of the state is to keep its people safe.  Today, as part of our Plan for Change, I have set out changes to the probation service to protect the public and make our streets safer.