Recommendation 3

We are concerned that HMPPS is not doing enough to retain the experienced probation workers needed to safely manage its large and increasing caseload. Staff shortages and high caseloads are negatively affecting resettlement support for prison leavers. In 2021–22, 8% of probation officers left the service, the highest level in the last six years. People join the prison and probation services to “make a difference”, but those leaving often cite workload pressures and feeling unable to do a good job, with many probation staff managing more than 70 cases against a suggested case load of 30 to 60. HMPPS says it is seeking to improve staff retention through a new three-year pay deal and increased focus on development and wellbeing. It is also working to rebalance workloads by recruiting “a record number” of probation officers, with an extra 2,000 staff now in post across the service compared to a year earlier. However, recruitment will not provide an immediate solution to HMPPS’ problems. It takes 15 to 21 months to train new recruits and we remain concerned that the workforce no longer has the balance of experience it needs to safely manage the probation caseload. Recommendation 3: In its Treasury Minute response, HMPPS should set out what additional steps it will take to retain and incentivise experienced staff over the next 12 to 18 months and what targets it has for doing so.