Reid admits probation service is 'failing'
Wednesday 08 November 2006
Latest in UK Politics
On Facebook
From the blogs
Why David Cameron owes unemployed single mothers an apology
How would you describe an unemployed single mother, with moderate depression, who can't afford new s...
Can we shop our way out of a recession?
The idea that a lot of shopping translates into a healthy economy is dubious. On the three prior oc...
How social networking made public vanity acceptable
When did it become acceptable to brag about oneself publicly?
‘French beer is unknown. We must change that’
Stereotypes die hard. ‘The Very Hungry Frenchman’, the BBC’s current television series following che...
John Reid admitted serious shortcomings in the supervision of violent offenders as he announced the part-privatisation of the probation service.
The Home Secretary acknowledged the Government had had little success in cutting "very high" reoffending rates but provoked anger as he appeared to blame probation officers for the failures.
Ministers are to open the probation service to competition from private firms and charities in an effort to drive up standards. The move follows several high-profile murders by offenders freed into the community, including the killings of the City financier John Monckton and Naomi Bryant, who was stabbed to death at her home in Winchester.
Mr Reid faced further embarrassment after an undercover BBC team claimed staff at two Bristol bail hostels failed to supervise potentially dangerous ex-offenders, including a child killer and a paedophile.
Mr Reid said: "Too much money is going on writing reports and not enough on practical help."
- 1 Vatican told to pay taxes as Italy tackles budget crisis
- 2 Pete Doherty: I was a bit unhinged
- 3 Rothschild loses libel case, and reveals secret world of money and politics
- 4 Greeks rage at erosion of sovereignty while leaders haggle over deal
- 5 Swiss to launch a space 'janitor'
- 6 Energy watchdog tells big firms: cut prices or else
- 7 Hey, You've got to hide your drug away
- 1 Rothschild loses libel case, and reveals secret world of money and politics
- 2 Vatican told to pay taxes as Italy tackles budget crisis
- 3 The West Bank's Bobby Sands
- 4 Prehistoric cybermen? Sardinia's lost warriors rise from the dust
- 5 Spotify: 1 million plays, £108 return
- 6 Female teachers accused of giving boys lower marks
- 7 The artist vandalising advertising with poetry
- 8 Apple admits it has a human rights problem
- 9 Mark Steel: If religion is 'marginal', I'm the Pope
- 10 Can you master a language in a weekend?
Free trial of new Independent iPad app
Get your daily dose of the best of British journalism, sponsored by American Airlines
Amazing restaurant offers
Three glasses of free champagne and a special menu at 46 top London restaurants.
Latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Career Services
Day In a Page
Wilderness and wildlife in Australia’s Top End
48 Hours: Marrakech
Bear with Bern for Swiss skiing
The West Bank's Bobby Sands
A very good cuppa: Restaurants embrace afternoon tea tradition




Comments