Probation union warns excessive workloads put public at risk in England and Wales
12 reported
A union representing probation officers in England and Wales has declared it has no confidence in managers at the probation service, warning that excessive workloads are putting the public at direct risk from unsupervised ex-offenders. Napo’s executive voted for the motion for the first time and is threatening to launch industrial action in three months unless members receive increased support and pay. The warning comes as ministers prepare to release and monitor tens of thousands more prisoners this autumn, with plans to expand tagging to up to 40,000 former offenders, a 40% increase from the current 28,000. Napo national official Tania Bassett said probation officers are unable to cope with growing numbers of ex-offenders and that a shortage of accommodation will lead to more homelessness and reoffending. The union also criticized efforts to remove a workload measurement tool, which it said would hide the magnitude of tasks staff are asked to perform. The Ministry of Justice said it remains committed to working with trade unions and has full confidence in Probation Service leadership.
What’s reported
Napo’s executive declared for the first time that it has no confidence in managers at the probation service.
The union is threatening industrial action in three months unless members receive increased support and pay.
From September, ministers will expand tagging to up to 40,000 former offenders, a 40% increase from the current 28,000.
Last year, an official watchdog warned the probation service had too few staff with too little experience and training.
The public accounts committee found staff working at 126% of capacity in some areas.
Tania Bassett, Napo national official, said excessive workloads and staff burnout pose a direct risk to the public.
The Prison Service met only 26% of its targets for timeliness of appointments in 2024-25, down from 50% in 2022.
The MoJ said 31% of target probation appointments did not take place between 2023 and 2025.
The MoJ plans to recruit 1,300 extra probation officers as part of a £700m investment by 2029, including £100m for tagging expansion.
A £5m pilot will test “proximity monitoring technology” for domestic abusers and stalkers.
Prisons minister James Timpson told MPs last week that staff each manage an average of 32 ex-offenders, saying the system is “running too hot.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said they have full confidence in Probation Service leadership.
Key figures
Napo (union)
Tania Bassett, Napo national official
James Timpson, prisons minister
Ministry of Justice spokesperson
Sources: The Guardian
