No probation checks on half worst offenders being set free

HALF of “high-risk” offenders are being released from prison without the probation service carrying out checks to protect women and children from violence, a watchdog has warned.

Justin Russell, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, said he had serious concerns about the failure to conduct police checks into past histories of domestic abuse and violence against children.

Despite the recent blunders that led to the murders of two women and three children, Mr Russell said probations officers were still underestimating the risk offenders posed or downgrading their risk too quickly after they are out.

His report today into the management of offenders follows the murders of law graduate Zara Aleena and Terri Harris and her children after blunders by the probation service.

Their killers Jordan Mcsweeney and Damien Bendall were both assessed as medium risk when they should have been high. As a result, they were placed under a lower level of supervision.

Mr Russell said failure to make correct assessments meant that dangerous offenders were let off regular face-toface appointments and were supervised by an unqualified probation officer.

He said: “Even for high-risk cases, we’re finding satisfactory assessments in only just over half of the cases that we inspect. So it’s definitely a concern.”

He added: “The basic police checks should happen with every case both when they’re coming through court and at the point of initial assessment.”

Mr Russell blamed chronic staff shortages and inexperienced staff.