England and Wales
Prisons and probation in England and Wales
One agency carries out sentences in custody and in the community, made up of a prison service, a probation service and a youth custody service.
Facts verified:
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HM Prison and Probation Service states that it carries out the sentences given by the courts, either in custody or in the community, and that it works to reduce reoffending by rehabilitating the people in its care through education and employment.
The agency describes itself as made up of HM Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Youth Custody Service and a headquarters. Within England and Wales it states that it is responsible for running prison and probation services, for rehabilitation services for people leaving prison, and for contract-managing private-sector prisons and services including the prisoner escort service and electronic tagging.
Sources
Sources
About us — HM Prison and Probation Service
HM Prison and Probation Service (England and Wales) · Government publication · link verified 2026-09-18
SCOPE: HMPPS's own account of its remit. The agency's about page on gov.uk, read directly. Supports that HMPPS carries out the sentences given by the courts, in custody and in the community; that within England and Wales it is responsible for running prison and probation services, rehabilitation services for people leaving prison, and contract-managing private-sector prisons and services including prisoner escort and electronic tagging; and that the agency is made up of HM Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Youth Custody Service and a headquarters. It establishes nothing about prison population, capacity, staffing or conditions, none of which is claimed here.