Award-winning Poet Laureate and former probation officer Simon Armitage has written a powerful new poem to highlight the work of those in the Probation Service. The piece, titled A Life In The Day Of, aims to change perceptions about the role, which remains widely misunderstood.
New research from His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) reveals that 41% of adults in Yorkshire know little to nothing about what it’s like to work in probation. In comparison, jobs in teaching, policing, the ambulance service, social services, and the fire service are far better understood. With many people forming their opinions from television and social media, Armitage and HMPPS are working together to bring the reality of the role into focus as part of a nationwide recruitment drive.
Simon said: “My father was a probation officer, and I worked in the Service for the best part of a decade. I know what the job entails – and I’ve spoken to others currently in the role now, who kindly shared their perspectives too. The job can be tough. You need resilience and a drive to want to help people – people from all walks of life, some with quite complex needs. It’s your job to support them in their journey out of prison and back into society, which is why probation officers are so important in the criminal justice system. Yet it’s a job that is so often misunderstood, which I think is such a shame.”
The poem, which has been turned into a short film narrated by Armitage, draws inspiration from real probation officers, capturing their daily challenges and triumphs. One of those featured in the film is Shakib Hussain, a 35-year-old probation officer from Birmingham. Shakib said: “My community is very important to me which is why I always wanted a job that would allow me to give back in some way and make a real-world difference; one where I could help people but also build a career that would provide me with professional opportunities to grow and succeed. And that’s exactly what the Probation Service has unlocked for me.”
Misconceptions about the role are common, with 47% of Yorkshire residents believing it is mainly an office-based job, when in reality, much of the work involves supporting offenders through rehabilitation and helping them make positive changes. Additionally, over a third of people in Yorkshire believe a degree is required to become a probation officer, but a new entry route introduced in March 2024 now allows non-graduates to apply.
For many in Yorkshire, the qualities they value most in a job align closely with what the Probation Service offers. A recent survey found that 43% of people are drawn to careers that make a difference in society, while 41% seek roles that provide personal achievement and reward. With salaries starting between £26,000 and £30,000 and clear career progression, probation work could be an attractive option for many.
Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord James Timpson OBE, said: “Every day, probation staff across the country are working hard, behind-the-scenes keeping a close eye on offenders to keep the public safe and cut crime. Simon’s poem really brings to life the wide-ranging role they play and as a former probation officer himself he knows how much of a positive difference they make in their community and to steering people away from crime.”
As part of their Plan for Change, HMPPS is set to recruit 1,300 new probation officers, along with community payback supervisors and probation services officers. To learn more about a career in the Probation Service and watch A Life In The Day Of, visit this link.
