HM Inspectorate of Probation
Encyclopedia
HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) is a statutory body and independent UK inspectorate
funded by the Ministry of Justice
, formed in 1936.
and from 2003 Youth Offending Teams
, but since the Offender Management Act 2007 it has a brief to supervise more widely to reflect new arrangements by which probation services could be provided by other bodies.
HMIP also works to improve the performance of probation organisations by providing a range of advice; and to provide advice on good practice to ministers, officials, managers and practitioners.
Much of the work of the Inspectorate is concerned with the production of inspection reports of two sorts: inspections of individual probation providers; and thematic reports on the handling of aspects of probation work such as race equality, or drug treatment orders. The inspectorate has also published a number of reports on effective and evidence-based practice.
A Departmental Committee to examine to role of social services in courts of summary jurisdiction was set up in 1934. When it reported in 1936 the first HM Inspector of Probation was appointed.
In earlier years the inspectorate was greatly concerned with the development of probation services in the UK, including the training of suitable staff, the organisation of probation areas, the creation of supervisory posts, and the accreditation of holders of those posts. As probation boards and areas matured, some HMIP functions such as training and accreditation were ceded to areas or other providers, and increased emphasis was put on inspection and the making of recommendations for improvement.
The Inspectorate existed as a Home Office
function until placed on a statutory footing by the Criminal Justice Act 1991. The Inspectorate was hosted and funded by the Home Office until 2007, when its funding and hosting was moved to the new Ministry of Justice.
The role of HMIP has changed over its history to meet the needs of the time.
In 2011, HMIP had a staff of circa 46 full or part-time inspectors and 21 support staff and a budget of circa ₤4M. It produced about 70 reports in the 2010-11 period.
Inspectorate
An Inspectorate or Inspectorate-General is a civil or military body charged with inspecting and reporting on some institution or institutions in its field of competence...
funded by the Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Justice is a ministerial department of the UK Government headed by the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, who is responsible for improvements to the justice system so that it better serves the public...
, formed in 1936.
Role and functions
HMIP reports to the Secretary of State for Justice on the effectiveness of the arrangements for and discharge of work done on individual offenders to reduce their likelihood of offending or risk of serious harm. Historically, HMIP has inspected the work of the National Probation ServiceNational Probation Service
thumb|right|100px|NPS logoThe National Probation Service for England and Wales is a statutory Criminal Justice Service, mainly responsible for the supervision of offenders in the community and the provision of reports to the criminal courts to assist them in their sentencing duties...
and from 2003 Youth Offending Teams
Youth Offending Team
In England and Wales a Youth Offending Team is a multi-agency team that is coordinated by a local authority, which is overseen by the Youth Justice Board It deals with young offenders, sets up community services and reparation plans, and attempts to prevent youth recidivism and incarceration...
, but since the Offender Management Act 2007 it has a brief to supervise more widely to reflect new arrangements by which probation services could be provided by other bodies.
HMIP also works to improve the performance of probation organisations by providing a range of advice; and to provide advice on good practice to ministers, officials, managers and practitioners.
Much of the work of the Inspectorate is concerned with the production of inspection reports of two sorts: inspections of individual probation providers; and thematic reports on the handling of aspects of probation work such as race equality, or drug treatment orders. The inspectorate has also published a number of reports on effective and evidence-based practice.
History
The Probation of Offenders Act 1907 granted the Magistrates’ Courts the power to appoint probation officers.A Departmental Committee to examine to role of social services in courts of summary jurisdiction was set up in 1934. When it reported in 1936 the first HM Inspector of Probation was appointed.
In earlier years the inspectorate was greatly concerned with the development of probation services in the UK, including the training of suitable staff, the organisation of probation areas, the creation of supervisory posts, and the accreditation of holders of those posts. As probation boards and areas matured, some HMIP functions such as training and accreditation were ceded to areas or other providers, and increased emphasis was put on inspection and the making of recommendations for improvement.
The Inspectorate existed as a Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
function until placed on a statutory footing by the Criminal Justice Act 1991. The Inspectorate was hosted and funded by the Home Office until 2007, when its funding and hosting was moved to the new Ministry of Justice.
The role of HMIP has changed over its history to meet the needs of the time.
In 2011, HMIP had a staff of circa 46 full or part-time inspectors and 21 support staff and a budget of circa ₤4M. It produced about 70 reports in the 2010-11 period.
See also
- Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of PrisonsHer Majesty's Chief Inspector of PrisonsHer Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons is the head of HM Inspectorate of Prisons and the senior inspector of prisons, young offender institutions and immigration service detention and removal centres in England and Wales...
- National Offender Management ServiceNational Offender Management ServiceThe National Offender Management Service is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice responsible for the correctional services in England and Wales...
- ProbationProbationProbation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
External links
- HMIP on the Justice.gov.uk website
- History of HMIP from the Justice.gov.uk website