Everything you want to know about probation
The most up-to-date data
This is the latest in my new series of compendiums of the latest data and trends in the criminal justice system. Following compendiums on prisons, sentencing, and offender equalities, this edition focuses on probation.
For the best experience, click through the visualisation at the bottom of this page, this allows you to hover over data points and see the exact data. If you can’t see the visualisation below on your device, you can find it here.
Topics covered include:
- The type of offences people are on probation for
- The decline of community sentences over the last decade
- Caseload figures (including changes in different forms of supervision)
- The offence profile of people on community supervision
- A breakdown of the popularity of different requirements on community orders and suspended sentence orders
- Successful completion rates (and reasons for termination) for community supervision
- The spectacular drop in the number of full Pre-Sentence reports
I hope you find them of use and interest.
Compendium last updated 3 December 2020
Criminal Justice Trends
Click below for up-to-date interactive charts using the latest official data.
Offender equalities
A wide range of prison statistics broken down by gender, ethnicity and age.
Probation
The latest caseload figures and trends, offender profiles and court reports.
Prison
Details of individual establishments, costs, population trends and safety in custody stats.
Sentencing
Compare sentencing outcomes, lengths and reoffending rates and index offences.
Recent Probation Posts
Reforming youth custody
The fifth post in my short series summarising the Government’s White Paper for reforming youth justice, focuses on plans for youth custody.
Recognising excellence in the criminal justice system
Recognise excellence in the criminal justice system by nominating someone for a Butler Trust award.
Re-structuring youth justice
The fourth post in my short series summarising the Government’s White Paper for reforming youth justice, focuses on proposed structural change.
Right response, right time
The third in my short series summarising the Government’s White Paper for reforming youth justice, focuses on a review of every stage in the system.
Intervening early, changing trajectories
Second in a short series summarising the Government’s White Paper for reforming youth justice, focusing on early intervention and diversion.
Human Learning Systems and Probation Services
Toby Lowe, Kevin Wong and Chris Fox, highlight the benefits of Human Learning Systems as an alternative paradigm for public management and its applicability to the delivery of probation services
Reforming youth justice
First in a short series summarising the Government’s White Paper for reforming youth justice.
Education, social care and youth offending
Cross department research present new insights into education and social care background of children who get into trouble.
Neurodivergence and domestic abuse interventions
Nicole Renehan provides practical guidance for those working with neurodivergent perpetrators of domestic violence, based on her research evidence.
Latest criminal justice trends (Spring 2026)
The latest Criminal Justice Statistics show the ever-increasing pressures on the justice system.
Reframing masculinity for young men and boys
Dr. Sophie King-Hill, highlights the importance of understanding current constructions of masculinity for justice practitioners.
Only a quarter of CJS voluntary sector organisations paid in full for the service they deliver
Clinks 2026 State of the Sector report highlights the pressures affecting the CJS voluntary sector
