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
First private probation provider goes bust
Working Links, provider of three CRCs, goes into administration. Seetec takes over the reins.
Reconciling desistance and “what works”
Probation inspectors commission research on key issues at the heart of probation – reconciling desistance with “what works”.
Female offending and brain injury
Disabilites Trust report finds 64% prisoners at HMP Drake Hall had indicative brain injury.
Meet Jo Farrar: The new head of prisons & probation
Dr Jo Farrar succeeds Michael Spurr as Chief Executive of HMPPS on 1 April 2019.
The numbers in prison and on probation are down
Latest stats show 3% drops in prison population & probation caseload.
Do we have the right interventions to support desistance?
HMI Probation research team analyses the range and adequacy of interventions.
Prisons and probation failing to work effectively with sex offenders
Prison and Probation Inspectors say management of sex offenders must improve
East Midlands private probation under-performing
Inspectors rate Derby, Leics, Notts & Rutland CRC as requiring improvement
Unions call for measured approach to probation changes
Probation unions and justice reformers call for a timeout on the re-procurement of CRCs to avoid repeating mistakes of TR.
Investing in ex-offenders and people in recovery
Mike Trace, Chief Executive of the Forward Trust, on an exciting investment pot for ex-offenders looking to start up their own business.
Developing a voluntary sector model for engaging people with convictions
Kevin Wong proposes a new model for the voluntary sector to engage with offenders built on reciprocity, reliability, consistency & emotional pleasure.
How were probation leaders affected by privatisation?
The personal and professional challenges for probation leaders charged with privatising their service.
