Nearly one in ten probation hostels in England and Wales have been forced to close temporarily because of serious staff shortages, raising concerns about public safety as thousands of prisoners are due to be released early.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed that nine of the country’s 105 approved premises are currently shut. These hostels provide close supervision for offenders considered too dangerous to return directly to the community after leaving prison.
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The closures come as the government prepares to release around 6,000 prisoners early in September to reduce pressure on overcrowded prisons. Critics fear that some violent offenders could be among those released, increasing the need for properly staffed probation hostels.
A leaked internal memo revealed that ongoing staffing problems were behind the temporary closures. Officials also admitted that security guards have sometimes been used to cover duties normally carried out by trained probation staff.
Martin Jones, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation, warned that the situation could put the public at risk. He said approved premises play a vital role in supervising high-risk offenders and stressed that experienced staff are essential to keep both residents and local communities safe.
Approved premises usually house around 2,000 offenders at any given time. Residents often struggle with drug or alcohol addiction, mental health issues, or a history of violent behaviour. Staff are responsible for monitoring them closely, carrying out drug and alcohol tests, searching rooms when necessary, and responding quickly to emergencies such as violence, overdoses, or self-harm.
Staff members say the crisis has been building for months. Some blame high stress levels, delays in recruiting new workers, and the end of contracts with private companies that previously supplied overnight staff.
The probation officers’ union, Napo, said many hostels have relied on untrained security guards to fill staffing gaps. The union described the practice as unacceptable, arguing that security personnel do not have the specialist skills needed to supervise high-risk offenders.
Recent inspections have also exposed safety concerns at some approved premises. At Weston Approved Premises in Weymouth, inspectors found failures in monitoring vulnerable residents, weaknesses in suicide prevention procedures, and faulty CCTV equipment.
Despite the criticism, the Ministry of Justice said only a small number of hostels are temporarily closed and insisted that the total number of available beds has increased. The department also said it has invested £700 million in probation and community services to strengthen offender supervision, including electronic tagging and stricter monitoring after release.
However, many experts and frontline staff argue that without enough trained workers, the probation system will continue to face serious challenges in protecting the public.
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