In response to a report by The Home Office Inspectorate, County Durham Probation Area has defended its work with domestic violence perpetrators and victims. It stresses that the report's findings reflect the work of a number of Probation Areas and County Durham was in fact one of the higher performers.

The Domestic Violence Inspection was conducted as part of a wider inspection of the effectiveness of supervision of offenders. This inspection resulted in the County Durham Area being highly praised.

Full Press Release [dvpressrel(ref2004-030).pdf]

County Durham Probation Area is a well managed probation area with staff showing positive leadership at all levels contributing to a culture of continuous improvement, according to a report published today by Her Majesty's Probation Inspectorate. Following a thorough inspection involving file reading and interviews with staff and offenders, the inspectors conclude that the service is performing its duties to the highest level.

During the inspection, the service set a new national benchmark for the number of offenders that attended interviews with the inspection team. This is said to be an indicator of the high expectations set for them throughout their periods of supervision.

Full Press Release [esipressrel(ref2004-027).pdf]