The Aims of the National Probation Service are to: 

• Protect the public
• Reduce re-offending
• Provide for the proper punishment of offenders in the community
• Ensure that offenders are aware of the effects of their crimes on the victims of crime and the public
• Rehabilitate offenders

Since 2004, the National Probation Service, along with Her Majesty's Prison Service, has been part of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). The main aim of NOMS is to ensure the seamless management of offenders throughout their sentence regardless of whether they are in custody, on licence or serving a community sentence.

How We Work

The majority of staff work in our four main centres in Guildford, Redhill, Staines and Woking. Most of the Service’s work in these centres is undertaken by staff working in the two specialist areas of Offender Management and Interventions. 

Staff working within Offender Management are responsible for the development of an offender’s sentence plan and their overall

supervision.  Interventions staff organise and/or deliver the requirements of an Order such as Unpaid Work, Programmes and Treatment. 

Probation service staff also work in a number of other important specialist teams across the county. These teams include approved premises, victim liaison unit, prison teams, and youth offending team. Corporate support functions such as human resources, staff development, finance, IT, and quality and performance are located at our Head Office in Godalming.