PROBATION services in the Wales region have received an overall regional rating of ‘Requires improvement’ by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation.

The Wales region, which includes Dyfed-Powys, is one of 12 probation regions operated by HMPPS.

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “We found much that was positive about the Probation Service in Wales. Leaders were strong both at a local and regional level and had a positive focus on innovation to drive service delivery.

“Nevertheless, as we have found in every region visited under our current inspection model, keeping people safe was a weakness. Positively, leaders were not oblivious to this and had done much to try and improve frontline delivery, but as yet with only limited effect.”

More work needed to be done to ensure the right information was being received from partners and that practitioners were then using this information to plan sufficiently and effectively manage risk. Communication by practitioners with partner agencies needed to improve to ensure the right services were consistently available for people on probation to address desistance and prevent reoffending.

The report praises the adoption of a human factors model across the region which was supporting the engagement of staff and teams and helping them focus more closely on their practice.

Mr Jones continued, “While the initiatives and innovation underway in Wales are positive, it is important to ensure they address the key issues around keeping people safe.”

This report makes six recommendations to the region including to improve arrangements for information exchange with both the police and children’s services and to improve practitioners’ information-sharing and liaison with partner agencies to support the effective delivery of rehabilitative services and work to keep people safe.