Probation staff 'spend just 24% of time with offenders'

Probation staff are "bogged down" in paperwork and can spend just a quarter of their time dealing directly with offenders, MPs say.

The justice committee report said staff in England and Wales took an "overly administrative" approach to their work.

A 2008 survey suggested staff spent more time on "computer activity" and other administrative work.

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke blamed a "tick box" culture and said he was already "getting rid of targets".

Tamsin Smith reports.