Appointment of Chief Inspector of Probation report published

The Justice Committee has published its report, Appointment of HM Chief Inspector of Probation, which welcomes the appointment of the Government’s preferred candidate, Justin Russell. 

On 5^th March 2019, the Committee held a pre-appointment hearing with Mr Russell which included questions about his suitability and priorities for the Inspectorate.  

Chair of the Justice Committee, Bob Neill MP, said:  

“I am extremely grateful to Mr Russell for appearing before the Committee to answer our questions.  

“Mr Russell is clearly a very capable public servant. Given that, if appointed, Mr Russell will be responsible for scrutinising his former employer, the Ministry of Justice, it was vital for us to assure ourselves that he would act as an independent and robust chief inspector. I am pleased to say that his answers convinced us that he will, and we fully endorse this appointment.”