BRITISH GOVERNMENT FINALLY NOTICES A PROBLEM

Tony Blair is demanding tougher supervision of offenders by the Probation Service amid alarm at killings by criminals released from jail early. His move follows a finding that most risk assessments on sex offenders are not completed satisfactorily when they start supervision in the community. The Chief Inspector of Probation has said that monitoring of less serious offenders has fallen to "unwise levels".

Mr Blair has told colleagues that he is very worried. A source said: "He does not feel enforcement is working properly, and wants the Probation Service to be much tougher on acting against those who break the terms of their licence."

Failings by the Probation Service will be outlined in a report out tomorrow. The service was supposed to be monitoring Damien Hanson when he murdered the financier John Monckton at his Chelsea home. Similar cases are causing alarm.

Reports by the Home Office and the Chief Inspector of Probation have highlighted failings in the way the Probation Service assesses the risk that offenders may pose. As well as corners being cut because of costs a risk-assessment computer program is not being used properly.

The Home Office said: "We began addressing these issues in June to drive up the quality of assessment and the management of dangerous offenders."

Report here




(And don't forget your ration of Wicked Thoughts for today)