Funding crisis hits probation services

Mar 7 2008 by William Green, The Journal

FEARS were last night raised that sex offenders in the North East could “slip under the net” amid claims that probation services are under threat from a funding crisis.

Probation staff union NAPO said it could be difficult to maintain a “balance” with sex offenders programmes in the region, with Government funding not keeping pace with growing demands.

The warning comes after Northumbria chief probation officer Pauline Williamson said in a letter to Blaydon MP Dave Anderson that there were “real risks” to the management of offenders in the North East.

The Northumbria service runs from the Scottish border down to Sunderland, and its 700 staff supervise an average of 7,000 offenders at any one time.

But 10% of its 700- strong workforce could go, alongside cuts in offender behaviour, education and employment schemes, according to a briefing document prepared by the service for MPs. Some 870 registered sex offenders live in the area, less than 1% of the population, and are monitored by the police, while some also have contact with the probation service.

Probation officers deal with people given community penalties and ex-prisoners on licence or parole.

But pressure has come from Whitehall efficiency drives and ministers urging judges to impose community sentences on all but the most serious criminals to stop prisons overflowing.

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson said: “We want to make sure this is put right because the probation service is a key part of cutting re-offending and helping people get on to the straight and narrow for the benefit of themselves and the public.”

He said that Justice Minister David Hanson had admitted the situation was “unacceptable” when he and senior NAPO officer Tim Wilson met him this week, and revealed the Government could soon unveil extra funding, which he welcomed.

Berwick Tory Parliamentary candidate Anne-Marie Trevelyan expressed concern that sex offenders and criminals could “slip under the net” – although the probation service said there would be a “significant” increase in sex offender and domestic violence programmes.

She said: “Almost certainly, without the requisite number of staff, you cannot expect those left behind to provide an adequate service for the protection of the public.”

NAPO regional convener Tim Wilson said it was more cost-effective to work with people in the community – even high-risk cases – to cut offending, but warned it had to be properly resourced.

He said: “Resource cuts mean fewer highly-skilled staff. This in turn will mean that, with stretched resources, the probation service is more likely to miss crucial points in the assessment and management of high-risk offenders.”

The Ministry of Justice said that staffing numbers in the probation service had risen by more 7,000 and its budget by nearly 70% in real terms since 1997.

A spokesman said: “Additional resources are being agreed for probation in order to strengthen community-based punishments where these are more effective than short- term prison sentences.”