Skip to content

All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated.

To view this licence, visit:
https://nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3

or write to:
Information Policy Team,
The National Archives,
Kew,
London TW9 4DU

or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

This publication is available at:
https://hmiprobation.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk.

© Crown copyright

‘Urgent need for action’ as domestic abuse continues to be inadequately managed by the Probation Service

Published:

A review by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation has revisited the topic of domestic abuse, exploring progress against recommendations made to HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in 2023.

HM Inspectorate of Probation made 13 recommendations to HMPPS in its 2023 thematic inspection of work undertaken, and progress made, by the Probation Service to reduce the incidence of domestic abuse and protect victims.

Now, given the prevalence and impact of domestic abuse, the Inspectorate has reviewed each of these to understand whether progress has been made, and where further work needs to take place.

Martin Jones, Chief Inspector of Probation, said: “Unfortunately, while there have been some notable improvements in some areas of practice, domestic abuse continues to be inadequately considered or addressed by the Probation Service. We have highlighted a number of ongoing challenges, illustrating a need for urgent action to improve the assessment and management of domestic abuse cases, to ensure better support for victims and more effective rehabilitation for perpetrators.”

The spotlight review has shown that delivery of sentences to domestic abuse perpetrators continues to show deficits, with insufficient delivery of interventions and a lack of reviewing activity to make necessary adjustments throughout the sentence. Since 2023 additional demands have been placed on the Probation Service, including early prison releases, SDS40, and Probation Reset, but not all these measures adequately consider the risks of domestic abuse.

The review also found insufficient progress had been made to ensure probation practitioners and managers were familiar with and working within the domestic abuse policy framework. Instead, key practices were not always applied with the rigour needed to fully understand individuals’ circumstances – over half the individuals in the reviewed sample did not receive the required intervention, with no clear rationale for these omissions.

Positively, the information sharing agreement between the National Police Chiefs’ Council and HMPPS was updated in June 2024, meaning the loophole that allowed police forces to refuse probation enquiries regarding domestic abuse incidents involving a person on probation has been closed. While further work is needed to ensure practitioners tailor information requests to suit the individual case, our findings show that in most cases, appropriate police information is provided when requested.

Mr Jones continued: “These improvements, while welcome, are not happening at the rate or pace that we would hope to see to protect women and children from further harm. This review highlights the need for a sustained, renewed focus into domestic abuse within the Probation Service and I urge HMPPS to give these recommendations the attention they deserve.”

The findings of this review are in line with consistent deficiencies in public protection work found across the Inspectorate’s PDU inspection programme. In response, this week (w/c 27 October 2025) sees the start of fieldwork for a new, six-month Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection of all twelve probation regions [see notes to editor].

ENDS


Notes to editor

  1. This review used HM Inspectorate of Probation’s core inspection programme data and HMPPS performance information to assess progress. We applied the case inspection tool from the original thematic inspection to remotely inspect the records of 112 people on probation with existing domestic abuse concerns who began their current supervision in early February 2025.
  2. Of the 13 recommendations we made in 2023, sufficient progress had been made in three, some progress in six, and insufficient progress in two. For the remaining two recommendations, we were unable to assess progress due to limitations in the available evidence.
  3. The report is available at https://hmiprobation.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/ on 27 October 2025
  4. ‘A thematic inspection of work undertaken, and progress made, by the Probation Service to reduce the incidence of domestic abuse and protect victims – HM Inspectorate of Probation’ was published by the Inspectorate in July 2023.
  5. HM Inspectorate’s Dynamic Inspection of Public Protection is a new programme, starting in October 2025. The Inspectorate will be pausing its core adult programme to undertake six months of dynamic inspection activity, focusing solely on the Service’s delivery of public protection. It will inspect all twelve regions and inspections, then deliver follow-up activity with strategic leaders and managers to identify what can be done to support and guide regional leaders into improving work, increasing knowledge and confidence and providing a solid foundation for further improvement.
  6. HM Inspectorate of Probation is the independent inspector of youth justice and probation services across England and Wales. 
  7. For media enquiries, please contact Louise Cordell, Head of Communications 07523 805224 / media@hmiprobation.gov.uk