MoJ told us that HMPPS’s ‘Our Future Probation Service’ programme is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to address the root causes of the problems faced by the Probation Service, including shortfalls in staff.33 The programme will introduce new digital tools - over thirty digital initiatives are currently planned - to help reduce the time probation staff need to spend on tasks, to free up their time. These tools include ‘Justice Transcribe’, an AI tool to help staff capture meeting notes.34 Through the programme, HMPPS also plans to introduce changes to optimise processes and to implement policy changes such as the level of supervision required for different groups of offenders. This includes implementing policy changes set out in the Sentencing Bill, which are aimed at reducing prison capacity pressures.35 In June 2025, HMPPS set its risk appetite for the programme as ‘open’, the second highest on the five-point risk appetite scale, indicating that it is willing to take on a high level of risk.36