The wellbeing of the probation service: A study of recorded absences from work of probation service employees due to psychological illness and stress using Freedom of Information Act data

There is limited understanding of psychological illness within the probation workforce. This study begins to address this by outlining the extent of psychological illness among probation staff in England and Wales. Utilising Freedom of Information data, we examined employees recorded as taking a period of absence due to psychological ill-health between 2015 and 2023. Findings demonstrate that declared rate of absence for psychological ill health is higher in the probation service compared to other areas of the criminal justice system at comparable times, and significantly higher than non-criminal justice occupations. The paper reveals concerning indications of the mental health challenges faced by probation employees.