‘This could be your house burgled’: The dangers of privatising probation

Responding to the Justice Committee’s interim report on the government’s Transforming Rehabilitation programme, published today, Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said:

“Today’s report highlights the fact that ministers are rushing proposals through to meet a political timetable, which could put the public in danger. Why is the government in such a hurry to dismantle a probation service that has worked well for more than 100 years?

“With banks, train services and Olympic security, we have already seen the government step in to clear up the mess left by private firms who failed to deliver the goods. But the risks with probation privatisation are far higher.

“This could be your house burgled, your bag stolen, your grandchild assaulted. The fact that plans to destroy probation trusts have been delayed for two months should give the government further pause for thought on whether it is worth gambling with public safety in pursuit of an ideological experiment.”

Notes to editors

1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.
2. The Justice Committee’s Twelfth Report of Session 2013-14, Crime reduction policies: a co-ordinated approach? Interim report on the Government’s Transforming Rehabilitation programme is to be published on the committee’s website.

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