Member

Digital management is also vital for efficient management of probation. In a memorable phrase, the Minister said that he wanted to see every probation officer with a computer on their desk. That is particularly important in the context of broader opportunities for more offenders on community sentences, because those offenders will now be undertaking, we hope, more education, more training programmes and more addiction support, and that also needs to be digitally managed to make sure it works. It is important for probation officers, and indeed for defendants themselves, many of whom will have smartphones and computers, to have a co-ordinated digital management and reminder system to ensure that what is planned and organised actually happens—on time and in the right place—and is then properly monitored after these activities have been undertaken. Digital systems are simply much better at ensuring that happens.