Recommendation 199

The Probation Service is understaffed. The National Audit Office told us that “in December 2022, 1,762 out of 6,158 Probation Officer roles were unfilled, a vacancy rate of 29%”. 373 Academics from Sheffield Hallam University confirmed that, as of March 2023, there was “a shortfall of 1,771 level 4 Probation Officers against the required staffing level of 6,158”. 374 The then Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell pointed out that the vacancy rate was “34% in London” and “over 50%” in certain areas of London. 375 Vacancy rates for probation officer roles are high in all 12 regions of the Probation Service (see Table 1).