'Parole system is rigorous' - NAPO

The head of the National Association of Probation Officers has defended the service, after a report by inspectors claimed some dangerous prisoners in England and Wales are not properly risk assessed prior to release.

Ian Lawrence described the service as "rigorous" but criticised successive governments' budget cuts "at the price of increased risk to the public".

He also called government plans to privatise the probation service as "mad".