Probation data
On 26th June 2021 the privatised probation services (the Community Rehabilitation Companies) were returned to public control, and absorbed into the newly named "Probation Service". The unified Probation Service is now responsible for managing all those on a court order or licence following their release from prison in England and Wales. There are now 12 probation regions across England and Wales, introducing 11 new probation regions in England; arrangements in Wales remain unchanged.
The Impacts of COVID-19
Probation acted swiftly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, adapting systems and processes to rapidly determine the delivery levels possible and mobilising teams to achieve this at pace. This included ensuring face to face contact remained with those people on probation posing the highest risk and introducing new, innovative ways of working to supervise others and to continue to deliver other aspects of probation.
Delivery has continued to adapt in response to restrictions both locally and nationally. The development of Exceptional Delivery Models enabled Regional Probation Directors to take decisions around what services they are able to provide in their regions based on local circumstances, and flex these quickly as the situation changes. The Probation Service has since driven recovery progress forward as quickly as restrictions have allowed, in line with Public Health and Health and Safety guidance. All regions in England and Wales ceased to use their Covid Exceptional Delivery Models on 31st January 2022 and transitioned onto a Prioritisation Framework. This Framework allows Regional Probation Directors to focus on delivering key public protection responsibilities and have flexibility to adjust or pause other delivery areas identified in the framework if needed.
Probation caseload overview
Supervision type
A small number (less than 20) of deferred sentences not shown. At 30 Jun 2023.
Order type
A small number (less than 10) of pre-CJA orders not shown. At 30 Jun 2023.
Sex
All probation service supervision. At 30 Jun 2023.
Offence type
Key statistics relating to offenders who are under Probation Service or Community Rehabilitation Company supervision in England and Wales.
Court order probation supervision starts
22,926
Value for Apr-Jun 2023. View time series for court order probation supervision starts
Pre-release probation supervision starts
15,579
Value for Apr-Jun 2023. View time series for pre-release probation supervision starts
Terminations of community orders
14,790
Value for Apr-Jun 2023. View time series for terminations of community orders
Terminations of suspended sentence orders
7,569
Value for Apr-Jun 2023. View time series for terminations of suspended sentence orders
Serious further offence convictions
288
Value for 2021/22. View time series for serious further offence convictions
On 26th June 2021 the privatised probation services (the Community Rehabilitation Companies) were returned to public control, and absorbed into the newly named "Probation Service". The unified Probation Service is now responsible for managing all those on a court order or licence following their release from prison in England and Wales. There are now 12 probation regions across England and Wales, introducing 11 new probation regions in England; arrangements in Wales remain unchanged.
The Impacts of COVID-19
Probation acted swiftly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, adapting systems and processes to rapidly determine the delivery levels possible and mobilising teams to achieve this at pace. This included ensuring face to face contact remained with those people on probation posing the highest risk and introducing new, innovative ways of working to supervise others and to continue to deliver other aspects of probation.
Delivery has continued to adapt in response to restrictions both locally and nationally. The development of Exceptional Delivery Models enabled Regional Probation Directors to take decisions around what services they are able to provide in their regions based on local circumstances, and flex these quickly as the situation changes. The Probation Service has since driven recovery progress forward as quickly as restrictions have allowed, in line with Public Health and Health and Safety guidance. All regions in England and Wales ceased to use their Covid Exceptional Delivery Models on 31st January 2022 and transitioned onto a Prioritisation Framework. This Framework allows Regional Probation Directors to focus on delivering key public protection responsibilities and have flexibility to adjust or pause other delivery areas identified in the framework if needed.
Judicial Engagement
65.8%
Value for Apr 2022-Mar 2023 . View time series for judicial engagement (SL001)
Initial appointment for community sentences
90.8%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for initial appointment for community sentences (SL004)
Initial appointment for releases from custody
95.9%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for initial appointment for releases from custody (SL005)
Initial sentence plan for community sentences and releases
82.5%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for initial sentence plan for community sentences and custodial releases (SL006)
Timely risk management plans (recall reports part B)
91.7%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for timely risk management plans (SL010)
Timely parole reports
86.5%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for timely parole reports (SL011)
Completion of targeted interventions for people convicted of sexual offences
57.5%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for completion of targeted interventions for people convicted of sexual offences (SL012)
Housed on release from custody
83.3%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for housed on release from custody (SL014)
Settled accommodation at 3 months post release
72.7%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for settled accommodation at 3 months post release from custody (sl015a)
Settled accommodation at 3 months post community disposal
82.0%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for settled accommodation at 3 months post community (sl015b)
Employed at 6 weeks post release from custody
16.4%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for employed at 6 weeks post release from custody (SL016)
Employed at 6 months post release
26.4%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for employed at 6 months post release from custody (sl017a)
Employed at 6 months post community disposal
41.8%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for employed at 6 months post community disposal (sl017b)
Persons positive experience
71.7%
Value for Apr 2022-Mar 2023 . View time series for persons engaged (SL020)
Unpaid work starts within 15 business days of sentence
56.9%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for unpaid work starts within 15 business days of sentence (SL027)
Unpaid work completions within 12 months
50.6%
Value for Jan-Mar 2023 . View time series for unpaid work completions within 12 months (SL029)
Additional information on the operation of the Probation Service.
On 26th June 2021 the privatised probation services (the Community Rehabilitation Companies) were returned to public control, and absorbed into the newly named "Probation Service". The unified Probation Service is now responsible for managing all those on a court order or licence following their release from prison in England and Wales. There are now 12 probation regions across England and Wales, introducing 11 new probation regions in England; arrangements in Wales remain unchanged.
Staff in post (PS)
19,850
Value for March 2023. View time series for staff in post (probation service)
Average working days lost to sickness (PS)
12.7 days
Value for 2022-23. View time series for staff sickness (probation service)