Probation staff hit by sex offender workload

Inspectors said work to handle rapists, perverts and paedophiles outside prison had improved significantly over the past five years.

But gaps remained in arrangements to protect the public and rehabilitate those convicted of sex crimes.

A joint watchdog report found many probation staff "did not appear to have the time" to work with sex offenders effectively.

Inspectors discovered a typical probation official had a caseload of between 30 and 50 people, but some were handling up to 90 cases.

They added that probation staff felt "inadequately trained or supported" to work with sex offenders, particularly those in denial, outside formal programmes.

The joint report, Restriction And Rehabilitation: Getting The Right Mix, was published by independent watchdogs for probation and police.

It was seized on by union officials who said it highlighted how further Government cuts may put the public at greater risk.

Harry Fletcher, of the National Association of Probation Officers (Napo), said: "This report reflects the problems facing the Probation Service.

"The size of caseloads of staff supervising sex offenders is already far too high. Yet the Government is implementing further drastic cuts to budgets and training.

"Over a thousand sex offenders released from prison on licence are currently resident in probation hostels, but staffing levels and supervision in these premises is deteriorating. If the government fails to act...public protection will be compromised."

The report highlighted that although sexual criminals reoffended less frequently than others, their actions caused great public concern.