Part-privatisation of our probation system has been a costly failure – Richard Burgon

Richard Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, responding to the report by HM Inspectorate of Probation into the enforcement of community-based court sentences by private probation companies, said:

"This is yet more evidence of how the Conservatives’ part-privatisation of our probation system has been a costly failure that has left the public less safe.

“Hundreds of millions of pounds of extra public money are being wasted bailing out these private companies even though reoffending is rising and they are failing to meet even basic performance targets.

“The Conservatives should stop rewarding failure. Labour is committed to bringing these companies back under public control. The Conservatives should follow Labour’s lead and launch a review into how and when to do this.”