UK Probation Service Under Scrutiny as Probationers Commit More Crimes

LONDON — The National Probation Service for England and Wales is under scrutiny after official figures revealed that criminals released on probation committed more than 16,000 crimes last year.

Approximately 7,900 offenders committed 16,415 new crimes while under the supervision of the probation service and several other government agencies between April 2006 and March 2007, according to figures released by the Justice Ministry.

The number of serious offenses committed by high-risk offenders on probation rose by more than 30 percent from 2006 levels. While on probation, 83 high-risk offenders were charged with committing a serious crime, compared to 61 in 2006.