Probation: UK

Download the Correctional Services Review by Patrick Carter. This key document outlines radical reforms to correctional services unveiled by Home Secretary David Blunkett on 6 January 2004. The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) brings together the Prison and Probation Services to ensure progress in prison is followed through in the community.

HM Inspectorate of Probation is an independent Inspectorate which is funded by the Home Office and reports directly to the Home Secretary. The Inspectorate retains its independence from the National Probation Service's policy making and operations.

Metamorphosis newsletters for Probation and Prison staff from the transition team which introduces the National Offender Management Service (NOMS).

The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) was created in 2004 following a review of correctional services which identified key gaps in the work of prisons and probation. NOMS is a single service which combines the work of correctional services.

Napo is the trade union, professional association and campaign organisation for staff in the National Probation Service and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass).

The National Probation Research and Information Exchange advises and supports members, agencies and other organisations in the development, use and provision of research and information in the pursuit of National Probation Service objectives.

The National Probation Service for England and Wales is a key UK statutory Criminal Justice Service. Established in April 2001, it comprises 42 Probation Services (matching police force area boundaries) together with the London-based National Probation Service.

The National Statistics Probation Page offers links to key probation statistics.

National Probation Service Performance Reports outline the extent to which local probation areas are delivering to targets and overall strategic objectives

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman investigates complaints from prisoners and those subject to probation supervision. The Ombudsman is completely independent of both the Prison Service and the National Probation Service.

The Probation Board for Northern Ireland aims to integrate offenders in the community by effective assessment and supervision thereby reducing re-offending and contributing to public protection.

Probation 2000 from Knivett, Blake and Associates provides the only full online catalogue of Probation Circulars. They also offer advice about self-assessment and the European Excellence Model. The site offers some interesting downloads. Some have a managerial focus, though there is plenty here for practitioners.

The Probation Studies Unit is part of the University of Oxford's Centre for Criminological Research. The Centre is engaged in a range of empirical research of central importance to criminal and penal policy.

Reducing Crime - Changing Lives outlines the Government's plans for transforming the management of offenders via the new National Offender Management Service (NOMS), a new body providing end-to-end management of all offenders.

Rethinking Crime and Punishment aims to raise the level of public debate about the use of prison and alternative forms of punishment in the UK, and to promote rational and effective policy to reduce crime.

Individual Probation Area websites for the National Probation Service in England and Wales: this page lists all area websites.

Probation: International

The American Correctional Association is a professional association for those who work in all disciplines, including probation, within the corrections field. It offers comprehensive access to resources in corrections.

The American Probation and Parole Association is an international association whose US and Canadian members work in probation, parole and community-based corrections in the adult and juvenile sectors.

The Conférence Permanente Européenne de la Probation includes statutory and voluntary organisations whose common concern is to protect society without resorting to the expense of prison.

The Correctional Service of Canada contributes to public protection "by actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens, while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control", according to their mission statement. The CSC website includes a comprehensive selection of freely downloadable publications and  research.

The Irish Probation Journal (downloadable via this website) is a joint venture between the Probation and Welfare Service and the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. It aims to provide a forum for sharing good theory and practice, increase co-operation between the two jurisdictions and develop debate about work with offenders on the island.

The Orange County Probation Department in California supervises around 23,000 adult and juvenile offenders on court-ordered probation or in diversion programs. Volunteers play a key important role in helping the Probation Department. This website has a wealth of background information.

Probation And Community Corrections Officers' Association Inc (PACCOA) is an Australian association that represents the professional interests and aspirations of people working in the field of community based offender management.

The Probation Officer and Parole Agent Forum is intended for “personnel interested in exchanging ideas and information regarding officer survival, equipment or any other topics”. Maintained by a State Parole Agent with the Adult Division of the Illinois Department of Corrections, Special Intensive Supervision Unit/Electronic Detention, it offers a fascinating insight into the American practitioner’s experience.

PROTECT N&S is a joint venture between the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) and the Probation and Welfare Service (PWS). It builds on the existing strong informal links between the two services and seeks to contribute to building peace and reconciliation by improving community safety and security. PROTECT N&S is a vehicle for sharing best probation practice along the border areas initially and then throughout Ireland.

The South African Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has the dual roles of keeping offenders in custody and “supervising and controlling” probationers and parolees, providing rehabilitation. DCS Annual Reports can be downloaded at this website.

The Swedish Prison and Probation Service's English language website outlines the Service's main tasks: to implement prison sentences and probation, to be supervise conditionally released persons, to implement community sentences and prepare pre-sentence reports in criminal cases.

The Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole’s mission is to minimize public risk and promote lawful behaviour by the prudent, orderly release and community supervision of adult offenders, at the least cost to taxpayers.

The Texas Probation Association supports the interests of probation and community corrections practitioners. It aims to develop and promote standards and goals for professional probation practitioners and provide a forum for delineating and resolving practice and operational issues. 

The Wisconsin Division of Community Corrections supervises people on parole, extended supervision or probation. The supervision is community-based to strengthen the family unit, encourage lawful behaviour, and provide local treatment programmes.