A key plank of controversial probation reforms shows no sign of improving re-offending rates and could be ditched immediately with little impact being felt, a highly critical report concludes.

So-called Through the Gate services were introduced as part of a partial privatisation in 2015 to bridge the gap between prison and the community as criminals prepare for release.

But a scathing joint report by two official watchdogs found none of the early hopes for the measures have been realised.

Support for prisoners leaving jail was poor and bodies tasked with delivering the services are making little difference to convicts’ prospects on release, the review warned. It said community rehabilitation companies (CRCs) were focusing most of their efforts on meeting contractual targets, and called on ministers to look again at the arrangements.

The report by the Chief Inspectors of Probation and Prisons said: “If Through the Gate services were removed tomorrow, in our view the impact on the resettlement of prisoners would be negligible.”

The findings are the latest in a line of critical assessments of a shake-up of the system for the management of offenders in the community in England and Wales.

A door being closed by a prison guard (Peter Macdiarmid/PA)
A new report is heavily critical of prisoner rehabilitation services (Peter Macdiarmid/PA)

Known as Transforming Rehabilitation, the overhaul launched in 2014 saw the creation of the National Probation Service to deal with high-risk individuals, while remaining work was assigned to 21 CRCs.

Previous reports have warned that the public has been left at greater risk of harm as officers manage dozens of cases at any one time and offenders are unseen for weeks or months.

The latest inspection by HM Inspectorates of Probation and Prisons focused on resettlement services for criminals serving sentences of at least 12 months.

Publishing the findings, Chief Inspector of Probation Dame Glenys Stacey said: “The gap between the Government’s aspirations and reality is so great.

Prison wall
Chief Inspector of Probation Dame Glenys Stacey said Through the Gate services are not reducing re-offending (Niall Carson/PA)

“There is no real prospect that these services as they are will reduce reoffending.”

Through the Gate arrangements were set up to ease the transition for offenders preparing to re-enter society by helping them find accommodation, employment, training or education, as well as providing support managing finances, benefits and debt.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “Public protection is our top priority and we will take all necessary action to make sure the probation system is reducing re-offending and preventing future victims.

“We have undertaken an overarching review of probation, looking at the standards we set for providers and how we hold them to account.

“Additionally, we have made changes to how Community Rehabilitation Companies are paid so they can focus on activities that will help cut crime.

“As part of the probation review, we have been looking at Through the Gate services and will be publishing our findings in due course.”