On Monday 17 September the Howard League for Penal Reform published a study undertaken by Loraine Gelsthorpe, Nicola Padfield and Jake Phillips on deaths on probation: an analysis of data regarding people dying under probation supervision.
Report authors Prof Loraine Gelsthorpe and Nicola Padfield, from the University of Cambridge, said:
"Our analysis has highlighted that not enough is known about deaths under probation supervision. It focused on a relatively new area in terms of the data collected as only limited information about these deaths is routinely put into the public domain. There needs to be much more known about the circumstances surrounding deaths on probation supervision so that it is possible to learn from them.
We hope that this report will provoke some critical thinking and generate increased concern about policy and practice regarding the most vulnerable people in this country."
The full report is available on the Howard League website. This is a relatively new area in terms of research as only limited information about these deaths is routinely put into the public domain. The report highlights the need for much more to be known about the circumstances surrounding these deaths, both the deaths of those serving community orders and those on license from prison.