Appointment of HM Chief Inspector of Probation

Book excerpt: This report follows the Committee's second opportunity to conduct a pre-appointment hearing with the Government's preferred candidate for an important post; in this case that of HM Chief Inspector of Probation. The Secretary of State's preferred candidate for the post was Diana Fulbrook OBE and the Committee held a pre-appointment hearing with her on 11 May 2011. Whilst the Committee was impressed by the candidate's experience they also had some reservations in relation to the importance of reducing re-offending and the need for the Chief Inspector to be a driver for change within the probation system. They were not able to give approval to the appointment of the preferred candidate and recommended that the recruitment process be re-opened