Probation privatisation puts 'puts victims of abuse at risk'

Privatised offender supervision companies whose staff lack the skills, experience and time to supervise perpetrators are putting thousands of victims of domestic abuse and children at further risk of harm, according to a new report. 

 

Inspectors found that the privatised probation providers introduced in England and Wales under by the former justice secretary Chris Grayling had widespread poor practice in its community rehabilitation companies (CRC). 

 

In 71% of cases assessed by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) as part of a thematic study into CRCs' approach to domestic abuse, work to protect victims and children was deemed not good enough. Guardian analysis suggests this figure could be equal to as many as 55,000 cases.

 

There are 158,727 offenders under probation supervision by CRCs across England and Wales. HMIP said an assessment of previous inspections suggests as many as half – equivalent to around 79,300 cases – feature domestic abuse.

 

The chief executive of Women's Aid, Katie Ghose, said: "This report shows that community rehabilitation companies are failing victims, with a significant lack of understanding about domestic abuse, especially coercive control.

 

"Probation officers are routinely underestimating the ongoing danger posed to the victim and not reassessing the level of risk involved when circumstances change. The findings of this report show that CRCs are currently not fit for purpose when it comes to domestic abuse cases and we call on the government to urgently change this to protect survivors."

 

In the cases where there should have been a home visit, these had been undertaken in only 19% of cases. Probation staff were also meeting offenders in public spaces such as cafes, which limited the scope to explore and address sensitive and personal issues.

 

The chief inspector of probation, Dame Glenys Stacey, said: "CRCs play a crucial role in supervising perpetrators of domestic abuse and we found they were nowhere near effective enough, yet good work could make such a difference to families, individuals and communities as a whole."

 

After a succession of highly critical reports from the inspectorate and the justice committee, as well as derision from those working within the sector, David Gauke, the justice secretary, announced that eight private firms and the 21 CRCs in England and Wales were to have their contracts terminated in 2020, two years earlier than agreed.

 

Under Gauke's proposals put out to consultation, the number of CRCs operating in England and Wales will be reduced to 11, with 10 new probation regions to be formed in England plus an additional region in Wales.

 

The prisons and probation minister, Rory Stewart, said: "We must protect victims of domestic abuse from any further suffering. That is why we have set out plans to better support victims, bring more offenders to justice and ultimately keep the public safe through our proposed domestic abuse bill.

 

"We are taking decisive action to improve CRCs by ending current contracts early, investing £22m in through-the-gate services, and we have consulted on how best to deliver probation services in the future.

 

"This report highlights pockets of good practice to build on, but more must be done. By putting in place new arrangements, we will heed the lessons from what has and hasn't worked, so probation plays its full part in tackling domestic abuse and protecting victims."

 

Richard Burgon, shadow justice secretary, said: "Once again we see how the private probation companies are failing to keep the public safe.

 

"The government must stop letting victims down and ensure that there is a complete overhaul of probation so that it puts women's safety first."

 

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