Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to improve case supervision as a result of the HM Inspectorate of Probation inspection of Cheshire and Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company report published in April 2019.

The HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) report into Cheshire and Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) awarded the service a rating of ‘requires improvement’. The Ministry of Justice takes the findings of HMIP in relation to CRCs very seriously and will work with the provider to ensure that an appropriate plan is in place to address the identified areas for improvement.

We have been clear that probation services need to improve and are taking decisive action to stabilise and improve the delivery of probation services, We are investing an additional £22m a year to ensure that CRCs deliver an enhanced Through the Gate service to offenders leaving prison. This will include sustained support to find accommodation and employment on discharge.

We want to see a more stable and resilient probation system which better integrates public, private and voluntary providers, so they work more effectively together to protect the public and reduce re-offending. We have taken decisive action by ending current Community Rehabilitation Company contracts early and last year, conducted a consultation on future arrangements. We are considering the feedback received and will set out detailed plans later this year.