National Inspection Programme Praises Local Probation Area for Working Well to Protect the Public

THIS WEEK Her Majesty’s Probation Inspectorate publishes its Offender Management report on the effectiveness of the local Probation Area against a demanding set of criteria.

Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Area (LRPA) was inspected in June 2007. The team of inspectors assessed the quality of assessment and supervision of offenders

Heather Munro, Chief Probation Officer, said: “This is the best inspection report of any Probation Area in the country so far. I am delighted that the quality of our work has been independently recognised, and we are seen to be doing a good job in protecting the public and reducing re-offending. Our staff members have every right to be proud of their achievements.”

A key focus of the inspection was to read through a representative sample of 100 cases from most categories of community orders and licences, which the Probation Area had been supervising for at least six months. The cases included offenders classed as high risk and also prolific criminals.

Andrew Bridges, HM Inspector of Probation said: “Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Area acquitted itself extremely well during the recent Offender Management Inspection. We found the NOMS offender management model operating well and staff, managers and board members working with commitment and creativity. The dept and range of partnership work to support this is impressive.”

He commented: “Its work to contain and reduce Risk of Harm is structured and mindful and there is impressive inter-agency collaboration. In recent years the area has performed consistently well against centrally set performance targets. The results of this inspection are testament to its ability to combine this with well-evidenced quality in service delivery to offenders, victims and sentencers.”

But the report was critical concerning a more consistent approach to sentence planning and of the provisions available to deal with alcohol misuse.

Andrew Bridges added: “However, with continuing capable leadership the minor areas for improvement we have identified in this report will, we are sure, be effectively addressed.”

All 42 Probation Areas are being inspected during a three year cycle, with areas in the same region visited within a few months to facilitate comparisons in performance. This enables the Inspectorate to identify and promote effective work with offenders and share information concerning good practice.

The report’s main findings were:

• The quality of assessment and planning overall was of a high standard. The area was to be congratulated on its commitment to undertaking a full Offender Assessment System assessment on all cases.
• We encountered a very high level of commitment in offender managers and were impressed by their diligent and persistent approach to their work.
• There was an excellent range of multi –agency services deployed in the management of prolific offenders and within the criminal justice integrated drugs team.
• Some gaps in provision to address offence related need were found, the most notable of which was in relation to alcohol misuse.
• The levels of achievement in the area of employment, training and educational goals of securing jobs and qualifications were positive.
• Consultation with internal and external stakeholders was a theme within the area with outcomes used to inform service improvements.
• There was a rich and impressive approach to promoting diversity at all levels.

Heather Munro added: “The work of the Probation Inspectorate is very important because it is vital that the public have confidence in our work with offenders – and understand that the Probation Service is regularly inspected to maintain high standards and improve where weaknesses in practice are identified. Protecting the public is our most important goal.

We have looked at the findings of the report and have already implemented an action plan to improve aspects of our sentence planning to ensure that offenders are fully engaged with different programmes of work to support their rehabilitation. We have introduced a new alcohol treatment requirement and are working with colleagues in health to source funding for more work with alcohol abusers.

PRESS ENQUIRIES

Chief Officer Heather Munro is available for interviews.

Contact Probation headquarters on 0116 251 6008 or

Communications Officer Fiona Buchanan on 07711 160685.

BACKGROUND NOTES

Probation areas are assessed on how well they have met defined inspection criteria. These address the quality of the assessments and interventions carried out with offenders, and the initial outcomes of the interventions, both in relation to criminogenic factors such as employment, accommodation and substance misuse, and also whether there has been any reduction in the risk of harm and the risk of re-offending. Overall management of the area is also inspected to see how well it supports good offender management.

QUOTE FROM OFFENDER MANAGEMENT INSPECTION

PRESS NOTICE

In full…

Andrew Bridges, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, said:

Leicestershire & Rutland Probation Area acquitted itself extremely well during the recent Offender Management Inspection. We found the NOMS offender management model operating well and staff, managers and board members working with commitment and creativity. The depth and range of partnership work to support this is impressive.
The area had performed consistently well against centrally-set performance targets in recent years. The results of this inspection are testament to its ability to combine this with well-evidenced quality in service delivery to offenders, victims and sentencers.
In particular the area is also working well to protect the public. Its work to contain and reduce Risk of Harm is structured and mindful and there is impressive inter-agency collaboration. Naturally there is always room for improvement - for example in the centrality of sentence planning and the provision of services to address alcohol misuse. However, with continuing capable leadership the minor areas for improvement we have identified in this report will, we are sure, be effectively addressed.