Number of ex-convicts accused of serious crimes crimes when on probation Latest figures show it has risen by a third, reaching a terrifying new record.

Amid concerns about how probation service will cope government releases thousands of prisoners earlyNew data showed probation units identified 770 cases last year in which released offenders appeared in court accused of committing a more serious offence.

This figure includes crimes such as: murderAccording to the Ministry of Justice, cases of rape, serious violence and arson allegedly committed while on probation or within 28 days of leaving the service’s control rose by 33 per cent in the year to March 31 this year, compared to 579 the previous year. .

This is the highest figure in history and corresponds to the first five months of the Conservative Party. Emergency move for early release of prisoners.

Victim lawyers told Independent The rise was “very worrying” as HM chief probation inspector warned of high caseloads and pressures on probation. excessively extended probation service there was weakens your ability To ensure public safety.

parole officers we took the brunt Emergency measures have been taken to ease the crisis in prisons, with more than 13,000 prisoners released up to 70 days early under Conservative Party programs since last October and at least 3,000 more having served 40 per cent of their sentences released under Labor in recent months.

With unions announcing early release plan on the grounds that it caused “absolute mayhem”inspectors warned against the release of inmates from prison without adequate planning to ensure public protection, or to prevent them from being released into homelessness. – increased risk of re-offending.

In November, the aunt of Zara Aleena, a young lawyer, was killed by a woman in 2022. Man wrongly classified as ‘medium risk’ after being released from prison – said he was afraid of the crisis in probation We could see other families suffer fatal mistakes.

In another recent high-profile case, A mother and her three children were killed By a man whose risk was misjudged in Killamarsh.

Analysis of the latest data shows that 603 people on probation have been convicted of murder since 2014; This equates to more than one murder conviction every week.

Against this backdrop, new figures also showed a 33 per cent increase in serious offense charges brought against violent and sexual offenders subject to the Multi-Agency Public Protection Regulations (Mappa). the nature of his past crimes.

A total of 216 offenders subject to Mappa monitoring after release from prison were charged with committing a serious crime in 2023/24, more than in any year since 2018.

There were 132 convictions for serious new offenses committed by ex-offenders under the Mappa regulations, an increase of 15 per cent on the previous year, according to Ministry of Justice figures. Some of these will relate to charges brought in previous years.

Victims commissioner Baroness Newlove described the increase as “very worrying” and said: Independent: “When criminals are released into society, the safety of victims and the public is paramount.”

Ms Newlove added: “If victims We must trust the justice systemThey must ensure that offenders are managed effectively in the community and will undoubtedly be recalled to custody if their behavior causes concern.

“I recognize that the probation service has a difficult job to do in managing high-risk offenders; Resources need to be provided to do this effectively, including manageable caseloads for offender managers. I welcome the Government’s commitment to recruiting more probation staff. “This should be a priority.”

Chief Inspector Martin Jones said: Independent: “The probation service has a large and often complex workload. Given this size and complexity, it is extremely difficult to predict when a new serious crime (SFO) will occur, but it is always worrying to see any increase in the number of SFO charges and convictions.

“Good probation practice helps keep communities safe. Ours Recent reviews found that The probation service has deficiencies in public protection work due to the high caseload and pressures it faces.

“It is vital that the service continues to prioritize risk assessment and management to minimize the likelihood of SFOs occurring.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “More serious crimes are incredibly rare, with less than 0.5 per cent of offenders under probation supervision being convicted of an offence.

“We recognize the devastating impact these crimes have on victims and are taking urgent steps to improve the supervision of offenders, including the recruitment of 1,000 new trainee probation officers by March 2025.”