Staff shortages and problems such as infestations have shut one in ten Approved Premises in England and Wales, according to a newspaper report, as the Chief Inspector of Probation calls for action.
The National Audit Office says Justice Transcribe, which records and transcribes supervision meetings, saves probation staff time and offers lessons for other public bodies.
The research organisation found that around 5,000 people released in the first half of 2026 had no tag, and warned that staff shortages in probation are eroding public trust.
A national review covering all 12 probation regions found that slow vetting, staff shortages and poor information-sharing meant chances to manage risk were too often missed.
Recalls to prison have risen by 136 per cent since 2016/17, and the charity says reform would free thousands of places in an overcrowded estate.
The Justice Secretary says some people leaving prison could be confined to areas only a few miles wide, with recall for anyone who breaches the boundary.
The Ministry of Justice plans random testing in the community for the first time, with recall possible for some who fail, while testing in prisons remains below past levels.
Probation inspectors found staff shortages and weak spots in key areas at Trent House, a Nottingham hostel for high-risk prison leavers that went without a permanent manager for an extended period.
A public protection review found weaknesses across every part of case management in London, with a 33 per cent vacancy rate at probation officer grade. Reviews of the North East and Wales were more positive.
Ninety-one per cent of NAPO members who voted in an indicative ballot supported strike action. The union says the vote reflects workload pressure, not the coming early release scheme.
