Prison and probation staffing problems persist (Summer 2024)

Probation staffing

You may see the general probation staffing numbers within the infographic reproduced above (don’t be fooled by the massive soar in April 2021, this simply represents the Group Rehabilitation Corporations being wound up and workers returning to the general public sector).

As at 30 June 2024, there have been 5,908 FTE band 3 probation companies officers in put up, a lower of 844 FTE (12.5%) over the previous yr and a slight enhance of fifty FTE (0.9%) over the quarter. In 2023/24 in comparison with 2022/23 we noticed a decrease variety of trainee probation officers beginning programs (543 in 2023/24 in comparison with 1,514 in 2022/23), which has contributed in the direction of this web lower. A contributing issue to the web lower in probation companies officers is the qualification of trainee probation officers, with many qualifiers taking over posts on the band 4 certified probation officer grade.

There have been 5,160 FTE band 4 probation officers, representing a rise of 533 FTE (11.5%) over the previous yr however, as we have now seen, a lower of 178 FTE (3.3%) in comparison with the earlier quarter;.

There have been additionally 1,493 FTE band 5 senior probation officers, displaying a slight enhance of 18 (1.2%) over the earlier yr and no substantial change for the reason that final quarter. 

Within the final yr (to 30 June once more), 2,357 folks left the Probation Service (a rise of 10.6%) on the earlier yr.

Individuals working for probation took a mean of 12.9 days off sick per yr, a rise of 0.3 days over final yr.

Conclusion

Given the rising pressures on jail and probation workers, it feels that the federal government should discover a approach of lowering demand on present employees in order that ample numbers really feel capable of stay within the service, whereas recruitment campaigns proceed. It appears exhausting to over-estimate the size of the problem.

Because of Andy Aitchison for variety permission to make use of the header picture on this put up. You may see Andy’s work right here