The Probation Service has not invested sufficiently in its technology and digital systems “for a long time” and it requires improvement, according to its inspectorate.
HM Inspectorate of Probation has identified the issue as one of a long list that have contributed to major shortfalls in the service.
It has published the results of a national inspection of the Probation Service, identifying a range of issues that add up to a critical picture of its performance.
On digital systems it says there has not been sufficient spending in recent years, pointing out that the OASys database for assessing the risks and needs of offenders in custody and the community is 25 years-old and the nDelius probation case management system is 12 years-old.
While there have been some improvements to the latter, the age of both presents technical barriers to further developments, and there is a need to improve how information related to risk is shared between prisons, probation and key agencies.
There are also problems in some staff not having access to technology for safe remote working, not everyone needing access to the Violent and Sex Offender Register being able to enter the system, limitations to the availability of the Workload Measurement Tool and a need for more training in Power-BI.
Positive points
Against these, the report identifies some positive developments with digital technology, including the widespread provision of Wi-Fi, increasing access to Microsoft Team, ICT training for all staff, the integration of satellite systems and the ongoing development of the Active Risk Management System to replace OASys.
But the report rates the arrangement for infrastructure and ICT as ‘Requires improvement’.
Shortcomings are also identified in the other areas of leadership, staffing and services, and the overall rating of performance is ‘Inadequate’. The report says the services are not meeting the needs of regions or people on probation, and the inspectors were not assured that public protection and the reduction of reoffending have been central to their commissioning.
Martin Jones, the chief inspector of probation, said: “This inspection has come at a time of broader review for the criminal justice system, and unfortunately our findings do not demonstrate that the service is adequately prepared to respond effectively to further change and challenge. Major shortfalls were found in service delivery and work to keep people safe remains a significant cause for concern.”
He adds: “Stronger leadership is needed to improve the delivery of the probation service’s two key objectives: protecting the public and reducing reoffending. These should be seen as complimentary and embedded across all delivery outcomes, and we did not see this cohesion at a national level.”
