Howard League responds to Public Accounts Committee report on Transforming Rehabilitation

The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to the Public Accounts Committee’s report on the government’s Transforming Rehabilitation programme, published today (Friday 23 September).

Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “The break-up of the public probation service, with a large part of it handed to 21 private companies, was supposed to turn lives around, reduce reoffending and make us all safer.

“However, even though the probation watchdog waited more than a year for the new arrangements to bed down before carrying out local inspections, the reports we have seen show that the quality of work has declined.

“Poor probation work increases the risk to the public and lets down people who are trying to change their lives.

“The Howard League warned that ministers were taking a huge risk by dismantling a service that was performing well. We remain of that view.”

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 report can be read here.

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