Probation officers in Milton Keynes providing essential service during pandemic

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Probation officers across Milton Keynes are going above and beyond by continuing to provide an essential service keeping our streets and communities safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Officers have been closely supporting and monitoring offenders in the community during the outbreak, helping to keep them on track and prevent reoffending.

Natalie is a probation officer working at HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes. She protects the public from the effects of crime by giving offenders the chance to better themselves. This could be through counselling, treatment programmes and help getting into employment.

Are you interested in becoming a probation officer?Are you interested in becoming a probation officer?
Are you interested in becoming a probation officer?

She said: “During the coronavirus outbreak, I am proud to be a constant for these individuals, offering them support and keeping in regular contact with them. They enjoy a general chat and that helps them open up more about issues that may be bothering them.”

A number of measures have been introduced across Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to ensure a continued safe and secure operation during the COVID-19 outbreak, including stopping all non-essential contact.

This means that Natalie has to have regular check-ins with offenders over the telephone, though for more serious offenders she is still required to meet them in person under social distancing measures.

She added: “I really enjoy working with people, seeing them as humans and helping them make the small changes to turn their lives around, so it is vital that this work still continues.

“I have been able to balance working full-time, my day-to-day work, providing support to my prison colleagues, while also home-schooling my daughter.”

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