Howard League responds to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation report on enforcement and recall

The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to a thematic report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation report on enforcement and recall, published today (Friday 9 February).

Research by the Howard League last year showed that the number of people being recalled to prison had spiralled out of control following the part-privatisation of probation in England and Wales.

As recalls have soared, so pressure has grown on a prison system already failing to cope with overcrowding, a lack of resources and record levels of violence and self-injury.

Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “This is the latest in a long line of critical inspection reports that show how private probation companies, which have already been propped up with extra taxpayers’ money, continue to fail the public.

“The Howard League is calling for contractors to be held to account. When a privatised railway franchise fails, trains are cancelled and passengers are inconvenienced. When a privatised probation service fails, people get hurt.

“It is time for the government to end this dangerous experiment and recreate a single, successful, probation service using the best from the system we used to have.”

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 thematic report will be published on Friday 9 February on the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation website.

3. Case studies and detailed research on recalls to custody can be found on the Howard League website.

Contact

Rob Preece
Campaigns and Communications Manager
Tel: +44 (0)20 7241 7880
Mobile: +44 (0)7714 604955
Email: robert.preece@howardleague.org

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