Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Paragraph: 31
This is the second major probation reform programme in the last five years.
Conclusion
This is the second major probation reform programme in the last five years. The unplanned-for effect of covid-19 has only added to the challenges the Probation Service faces. The lessons of the previous, failed reforms must be learned, and the new model must provide a lasting solution that allows some stability to a vital and hard-pressed service.
Paragraph Reference:
31
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The government welcomes the Committee’s support for a unified probation service. In designing the new unified model, we have sought to learn lessons from Transforming Rehabilitation and have drawn on the insight from reports by the Committee and other scrutiny bodies. In particular, we have been mindful of the Committee’s previous conclusions on the current model, for example on third sector involvement, the quality of services such as Through the Gate, how offenders’ risk is managed, and on funding and payment mechanisms. The ambitions set out in the Target Operating Model are long-term and will take a number of years to realise. The structural changes that come into effect on 26 June 2021 are the starting point for reforms. We recognise that structural stability from that point onwards is necessary to give probation leaders and staff a strong foundation to build on and implement the new Operating Model. We believe the new structures provide the right balance between local, regional and national to give flexibility to respond to future challenges and have no current plans to change them further. We also recognise the need for long-term investment in probation to bring caseloads down, improve the quality of frontline services, and transform key supporting infrastructure such as estates, IT equipment and digital services. HM Treasury has agreed an extra £155m of resource and £75m of capital to invest in the reforms in 2021/22. We have worked closely with HM Treasury on the business case for the reforms and will continue to do so as part of the upcoming 2021 Spending Review.