3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on probation services

The Covid-19 pandemic poses an urgent threat to public health and safety. It is an unprecedented situation that has required an immediate response by the National Probation Service, CRCs and all other services providers along with the NHS to save lives. We praise the probation service and wider stakeholders for the vital work they are doing to respond to the pandemic, support their offenders and protect the public.(Paragraph 3) Changes to Probation during Covid-19

The Committee recognise that Covid-19 has required an immediate and unprecedented response and praise the probation staff and offenders for adapting to the current situation. The Committee are aware that the NPS and CRCs may differ in their models of delivery, however we are concerned to hear reports that inconsistencies in practice may be hindering staff safety and causing concern to individuals trying to adhere to their sentence. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS set out what guidance has been issued to CRCs, and how they are monitoring the models being delivered in different CRCs.The Committee recognise that Covid-19 has required an immediate and unprecedented response and praise the probation staff and offenders for adapting to the current situation. The Committee are aware that the NPS and CRCs may differ in their models of delivery, however we are concerned to hear reports that inconsistencies in practice may be hindering staff safety and causing concern to individuals trying to adhere to their sentence. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS set out what guidance has been issued to CRCs, and how they are monitoring the models being delivered in different CRCs. (Paragraph 19) Key Issues relating to Covid-19

The model of probation delivery has changed substantially in the weeks since the introduction of the UK lockdown, particularly the way in which case-management supervision is delivered. Additionally, other areas such as unpaid work and interventions have stopped. We recognise that these measures have been necessary, but we are concerned about increasing backlogs as a result of Covid-19—for example in unpaid work—and it is unclear how the Ministry and HMPPS intend to address these backlogs.

We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS set out how the probation service intends to address the backlogs that have built up over the past three months. Additionally, we recommend that the Ministry and HMPPS set out how they will ensure that all individuals under probation supervision will be able to complete their sentence requirements, such as behaviour programmes.

The Committee are pleased to see the commitment from HMPPS to learn from the current model of delivery. We recommend that HMPPS update the Committee on Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on probation systems 23 progress of this piece of work, setting out how learning will be shared.The Committee are pleased to see the commitment from HMPPS to learn from the current model of delivery. We recommend that HMPPS update the Committee on progress of this piece of work, setting out how learning will be shared.

Staff shortages and increased workloads within the probation service preceded the Covid-19 outbreak. Whilst the Committee recognise that Covid-19 means that some areas of work have stopped, it is clear that staff workloads are still extremely high, and staff morale and wellbeing are of significant concern within the probation service. In addition to these conditions, staff are also going through the second major reform programme to take place in just five years, and the impact of this uncertainty cannot be overestimated. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS set out what existing and additional measures are in place during this time to support staff wellbeing.Staff shortages and increased workloads within the probation service preceded the Covid-19 outbreak. Whilst the Committee recognise that Covid-19 means that some areas of work have stopped, it is clear that staff workloads are still extremely high, and staff morale and wellbeing are of significant concern within the probation service. In addition to these conditions, staff are also going through the second major reform programme to take place in just five years, and the impact of this uncertainty cannot be overestimated. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS set out what existing and additional measures are in place during this time to support staff wellbeing..

At the best of times, release from prison can be a difficult time for many, however, Covid-19 has created a very different environment for those released from prison to enter. Service provision in the community has changed substantially and it is important that individuals released from prison continue to receive the support necessary to enable them to reintegrate into society and stop the cycle of offending. Whilst we welcome the Ministry’s commitment to work with the third sector, we are unclear what specific additional support has been put in place for those released from custody during this time and recommend that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS set out what additional measures they have put in place to support prison leavers.e At the best of times, release from prison can be a difficult time for many, however, Covid-19 has created a very different environment for those released from prison to enter. Service provision in the community has changed substantially and it is important that individuals released from prison continue to receive the support necessary to enable them to reintegrate into society and stop the cycle of offending. Whilst we welcome the Ministry’s commitment to work with the third sector, we are unclear what specific additional support has been put in place for those released from custody during this time and recommend that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS set out what additional measures they have put in place to support prison leavers..

The Committee are pleased to hear about the work the Ministry has done with the DWP to make Universal Credit more accessible to those leaving prisons. We also welcome the increase in the Subsistence Grant for those who are leaving prison early under the End of Custody Temporary Release scheme, however, we also consider those leaving prison through the ordinary course of events to be in need of additional provision during this unprecedented time. We recommend that the Ministry review 24 Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on probation systems the Discharge Grant, and reconsider increasing it during the period of coronavirus, particularly considering that all those released from prison will face challenges adapting to the current environment, and vulnerability may be heightened by the fact that many support services have reduced in capacity and changed delivery models.The Committee are pleased to hear about the work the Ministry has done with the DWP to make Universal Credit more accessible to those leaving prisons. We also welcome the increase in the Subsistence Grant for those who are leaving prison early under the End of Custody Temporary Release scheme, however, we also consider those leaving prison through the ordinary course of events to be in need of additional provision during this unprecedented time. We recommend that the Ministry review the Discharge Grant, and reconsider increasing it during the period of coronavirus, particularly considering that all those released from prison will face challenges adapting to the current environment, and vulnerability may be heightened by the fact that many support services have reduced in capacity and changed delivery models.

Accommodation is an important resettlement need for prison leavers, and we welcome the work that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS have done during the pandemic to ensure that prison leavers have the best access to accommodation as possible. We are also pleased to hear that scheme to support individuals leaving prison has been extended to the 31 July. Given that Covid-19 is an ongoing situation, we recommend that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS continue to keep this scheme under review to ensure that the housing needs or prison leavers continue to be met. Additionally, we recommend that the Ministry set out their what work is being done in the longer term to address the housing needs of prisoners on release from custody and prevent homelessness.Accommodation is an important resettlement need for prison leavers, and we welcome the work that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS have done during the pandemic to ensure that prison leavers have the best access to accommodation as possible. We are also pleased to hear that scheme to support individuals leaving prison has been extended to the 31 July. Given that Covid-19 is an ongoing situation, we recommend that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS continue to keep this scheme under review to ensure that the housing needs or prison leavers continue to be met. Additionally, we recommend that the Ministry set out their what work is being done in the longer term to address the housing needs of prisoners on release from custody and prevent homelessness. (Paragraph 56) Probation Reform Programme

The probation service has been in a continual state of reform and uncertainty for the past five years, and is now adapting to the challenges presented by Covid-19. Whilst the announcement is a welcome one, the new model is expected to go live in the summer of 2021 and the Committee recognise that this is a huge task to undertake in a year, particularly given the current circumstances. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice set out a detailed timeframe for the transition of the probation service to the new model. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice should keep the Committee updated on progress, including any potential delays to the transition. The probation service has been in a continual state of reform and uncertainty for the past five years, and is now adapting to the challenges presented by Covid-19. Whilst Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on probation systems 25 the announcement is a welcome one, the new model is expected to go live in the summer of 2021 and the Committee recognise that this is a huge task to undertake in a year, particularly given the current circumstances. We recommend that the Ministry of Justice set out a detailed timeframe for the transition of the probation service to the new model. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice should keep the Committee updated on progress, including any potential delays to the transition. (Paragraph 61) 26 Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on probation systems