Probation data

Probation service performance

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.

Visit prisons and probation statistics for data sources and more details.


Judicial engagement (SL001)

Percentage of the Judiciary who are satisfied with probation services in each twelve-month period.

Period Judicial engagement (SL001)
Apr 2021-Mar 2022 59.4%
Apr 2022-Mar 2023 65.8%

Apr 2022-Mar 2023

65.8%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Initial appointment for community sentences (SL004)

The percentage of persons under a community sentence who have an in person appointment, either in office or by home visit, arranged to take place no later than 5 business days after sentence.

Period Initial appointment for community sentences (SL004)
Apr-Jun 2022 83.3%
Jul-Sep 2022 86.4%
Oct-Dec 2022 88.4%
Jan-Mar 2023 90.8%

Jan-Mar 2023

90.8%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Initial appointment for releases from custody (SL005)

The percentage of persons who have an office or home visit appointment arranged to take place no later than one business day after release. For those released immediately from court following a period of remand, the timescale shall be three business days.

Period Initial appointment for releases from custody (SL005)
Apr-Jun 2022 94.6%
Jul-Sep 2022 95.1%
Oct-Dec 2022 95.5%
Jan-Mar 2023 95.9%

Jan-Mar 2023

95.9%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Initial sentence plan for community sentences and custodial releases (SL006)

The percentage of persons with a community sentence or a release from custody on licence for whom a sentence plan is completed within 15 business days after attendance at their first appointment.

Period Initial sentence plan for community sentences and custodial releases (SL006)
Apr-Jun 2022 83.8%
Jul-Sep 2022 80.5%
Oct-Dec 2022 81.9%
Jan-Mar 2023 82.5%

Jan-Mar 2023

82.5%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Timely risk management plans (SL010)

The percentage of Recall Part B (Risk Management Plan) documents which are supplied to the Offender Management Public Protection Group within the required timescale of a person's return to custody; to inform about the level of risk and to enable a timely decision about release or ongoing detention to be made.

Period Timely risk management plans (SL010)
Apr-Jun 2022 90.6%
Jul-Sep 2022 90.7%
Oct-Dec 2022 91.0%
Jan-Mar 2023 91.7%

Jan-Mar 2023

91.7%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Timely parole reports (SL011)

The percentage of indeterminate and determinate parole assessment reports (PAROM1s) that are sent within the timescale specified by the HMPPS Offender Management and Public Protection Group.

Period Timely parole reports (SL011)
Apr-Jun 2022 83.7%
Jul-Sep 2022 83.9%
Oct-Dec 2022 83.8%
Jan-Mar 2023 86.5%

Jan-Mar 2023

86.5%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Completion of targeted interventions for people convicted of sexual offences (SL012)

Successful completions of rehabilitative activities, including accredited programmes, structured interventions and the approved suite of probation practitioner toolkits (ASPPT). Where the terminated cases are convicted of a sexual offence.

Period Completion of targeted interventions for people convicted of sexual offences (SL012)
Apr-Jun 2022 48.1%
Jul-Sep 2022 54.7%
Oct-Dec 2022 55.8%
Jan-Mar 2023 57.5%

Jan-Mar 2023

57.5%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Housed on release from custody (SL014)

The proportion of individuals in settled or temporary accommodation on the night of release from custody.

Period Housed on release from custody (SL014)
Apr-Jun 2022 80.8%
Jul-Sep 2022 78.1%
Oct-Dec 2022 81.5%
Jan-Mar 2023 83.3%

Jan-Mar 2023

83.3%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Settled accommodation at 3 months post release from custody (SL015a)

The proportion of individuals in settled accommodation at three months post release for custodial sentences.

Period Settled accommodation at 3 months post release from custody (SL015a)
Apr-Jun 2022 70.5%
Jul-Sep 2022 70.8%
Oct-Dec 2022 72.5%
Jan-Mar 2023 72.7%

Jan-Mar 2023

72.7%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Settled accommodation at 3 months post community (SL015b)

The proportion of individuals in settled accommodation at three months post disposal for community sentences.

Period Settled accommodation at 3 months post community (SL015b)
Apr-Jun 2022 82.8%
Jul-Sep 2022 81.6%
Oct-Dec 2022 80.1%
Jan-Mar 2023 82.0%

Jan-Mar 2023

82.0%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Employed at 6 weeks post release from custody (SL016)

The proportion of individuals in employment at six weeks after release from custody.

Period Employed at 6 weeks post release from custody (SL016)
Apr-Jun 2022 13.7%
Jul-Sep 2022 14.6%
Oct-Dec 2022 16.3%
Jan-Mar 2023 16.4%

Jan-Mar 2023

16.4%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Employed at 6 months post release from custody (SL017a)

The proportion of individuals in employment at six months post release for custodial sentences.

Period Employed at 6 months post release from custody (SL017a)
Apr-Jun 2022 21.4%
Jul-Sep 2022 21.9%
Oct-Dec 2022 24.5%
Jan-Mar 2023 26.4%

Jan-Mar 2023

26.4%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Employed at 6 months post community disposal (SL017b)

The proportion of individuals in employment at six months post disposal for community sentences.

Period Employed at 6 months post community disposal (SL017b)
Apr-Jun 2022 39.6%
Jul-Sep 2022 40.7%
Oct-Dec 2022 42.2%
Jan-Mar 2023 41.8%

Jan-Mar 2023

41.8%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Persons engaged (SL020)

Percentage of persons on probation with an overall positive experience of engagement in each survey.

Period Persons engaged (SL020)
Apr 2021-Mar 2022 74.6%
Apr 2022-Mar 2023 71.7%

Apr 2022-Mar 2023

71.7%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Unpaid work starts within 15 business days of sentence (SL027)

The percentage of unpaid work requirements that have had unpaid work arranged by the probation service to start within 15 business days of the sentence date of that requirement.

Period Unpaid work starts within 15 business days of sentence (SL027)
Apr-Jun 2022 34.1%
Jul-Sep 2022 33.4%
Oct-Dec 2022 45.9%
Jan-Mar 2023 56.9%

Jan-Mar 2023

56.9%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.


Unpaid work completions within 12 months (SL029)

The percentage of successful completions of unpaid work requirements within 12 months of the original sentence date where the person is subject to a community order, suspended sentence order or supervision default order that contains an unpaid work requirement.

Period Unpaid work completions within 12 months (SL029)
Apr-Jun 2022 41.9%
Jul-Sep 2022 45.0%
Oct-Dec 2022 47.4%
Jan-Mar 2023 50.6%

Jan-Mar 2023

50.6%

Data source

The data source for this measure and more detailed information can be found in the Community performance annual publication.

Publication date

Published: 27 July 2023.