HC Deb 03 December 1970 vol 807 cc430-1W
35. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation officers were in post for each year from 1964 to the latest convenient date; and what proposals he has for improving recruiting in the future.

Mr. Maudling

The strength of the service on 31st October was 3,422. The Government consider that by 1975 4,400 probation officers may be needed to enable the service to cope with increases in its present tasks, and as many as 4,700 if greater use is to be made of treatment

STRENGTH OF THE PROBATION AND AFTER-CARE SERVICE 1964–1970
Established Officers Temporary Officers Total Whole-time staff
31st December, 1964 2,167 17 2,184
31st December, 1965 2,319 20 2,339
31st December, 1966* 2,557 37 2,594
31st December, 1967 2,745 45 2,790
31st December, 1968 2,960 52 3,012
31st December, 1969† 3,172 61 3,233
31st October, 1970 3,348 74 3,422
* Prison welfare officers are included from 1966 onwards.
† Social workers in detention centres, remand centres and borstal allocation centres are included from 1969 onwards.