In light of the 2019 announcement by the then Secretary of State for Justice, David Gauke, that the probation service is to be re-nationalised, this paper reflects on what forms a more radical restoration might take. In essence, the paper makes a case for probation to be re-constituted as a moral enterprise; an independent agency based in the community, staffed by skilled and idealistic but pragmatic practitioners and managers, and informed by evidence of what is most likely to help people lead offence-free lives.

Ironically, on the eve of its centenary, the probation service–despite its unique position within the criminal justice system–is in greater danger of extinction than at any time in its history. This article argues that populist-driven policies offer little in the way of public protection against crime or reduction in the harm caused by it. Instead, it promotes the case for a renewed political commitment to probation by arguing for a constructive, evidence-based approach to community sentences based on the principle of consent, community participation, and self-sentencing–probationers sharing responsibility for devising their own rehabilitation programmes that exploit their strengths rather than their weaknesses.

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One-to-One is a Home Office accredited, cognitive-behavioural programme used by a number of probation areas in England and Wales. A descriptive account is given here of its operation in West Mercia between 2002 and 2008, detailing programme structure; completion rates; participant feedback and staff responses; its role in meeting diversity goals for programme delivery including work with 'racially motivated' offences; re-offending outcomes; and its contribution to the development of staff careers. Some suggestions for the future are made.