Record number of ex-offenders charged with serious new crimes while on probation

The number of ex-offenders charged with serious crimes crimes while on probationary period has risen by a third to hit a grim new record, the latest figures show.

Amid concerns about how the probation service will handle the early release of thousands of prisoners by the governmentNew data shows that probation units identified 770 occasions last year where released criminals appeared in court accused of committing a new serious crime.

That figure – including crimes such as murderrape, serious violence and arson, allegedly committed while on probation or within 28 days of leaving service supervision – rose by 33 per cent in the year to March 31 this year, up from 579, according to the Ministry of Justice the year before .

It is the highest number ever recorded and coincides with the first five months of the Tory regime. emergency measure to release prisoners early.

Lawyers for the victims said this The independent the increase was “very worrying” as HM Chief Inspector of Probation warned of high caseloads and pressure on police overburdened probation service were undermines his ability to keep the public safe.

Probation officers have suffered of emergency measures to ease the prison crisis, with more than 13,000 prisoners released up to 70 days early under Tory plans since October last year, and at least 3,000 others serving 40 percent of their sentences in recent months under Labor.

With unions describing the early release scheme because it caused ‘absolute chaos’Inspectors have warned that prisoners are being released from prison without sufficient planning to ensure public protection to prevent them from becoming homeless – increase the risk of recidivism.

In November, the aunt of Zara Aleena – a young lawyer who was murdered in 2022 by a man who was wrongly classified as ‘medium risk’ after his release from prison – said she was afraid of the probation crisis would see other families make fatal mistakes.

In another recent high-profile case, a mother and three children were murdered in Killamarsh by a man whose risk had been misjudged.

Analysis of the latest data shows that since 2014, 603 people have been convicted of murder while under supervision – equating to more than one murder conviction every week.

Against this backdrop, new figures also show a 33 percent increase in charges for further serious crimes against violent and sex offenders subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa), in which they are monitored by both the probation service and the police for their transgressions. the nature of their past crimes.

A total of 216 offenders under Mappa monitoring after release from prison were charged with committing a new serious crime in 2023/24, more than any year since 2018.

There were also 132 convictions for serious new crimes committed by ex-offenders under Mappa schemes, an increase of 15 percent on the previous year, according to Ministry of Justice figures. Some of this relates to charges filed in previous years.

Victims Commissioner Baroness Newlove described the increase as “very worrying”. The independent: “When offenders are released into the community, the safety of victims and the public is paramount.”

Ms Newlove added: “As victims must have confidence in the legal systemthey must be confident that offenders will be dealt with effectively in the community and that they will undoubtedly be recalled if their behavior raises concerns.

“I recognize that the probation service has a difficult task in dealing with high-risk offenders. The probation service must have the resources to do this effectively, including a manageable workload for offender managers. I welcome the government’s commitment to recruit more probation staff. This must be a priority.”

Chief Inspector Martin Jones said The independent: “The probation service has a large and often complex workload. Given this scale and complexity, it is extremely difficult to predict when a serious further crime (SFO) will occur. However, it is always concerning to see an increase in the number of SFO charges and convictions.

“Good probation practices help keep communities safe. Us recent inspections have shown this shortcomings in the probation service’s public protection work due to the high workload and pressures it faces.

“It is critical that the agency continues to prioritize risk assessment and management to minimize the likelihood of SFOs.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Serious further offending is incredibly rare, with less than 0.5 per cent of offenders under probation supervision being convicted.

“We recognize the devastating impact of these crimes on victims and we are taking urgent action to improve supervision of offenders, including recruiting 1,000 new probation officers in training by March 2025.”