Probation fiasco

i Was proud to serve as a nonexecutive board member with essex Probation trust until it was disbanded in 2014, when then Justice secretary Chris Grayling’s disastrous outsourcing programme was implemented.

it has nothing to do with the professionalism of the probation staff that outsourcing has failed; it was a failure of strategic planning and central implementation of a flawed plan.

the probation staff, who remained dedicated to their stressful role, should be congratulated for the way they have adapted to the disruptive changes and have tried to make things work.

the reversal will heap further pressure on them. i wonder if Chris Grayling ever worries about the stress to people and the huge waste of money caused by his plan?

ROB EVERITT, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.