Probation hostels in England and Wales forced to shut after staffing crisis

Watchdog says public being put in danger by closure of premises that accommodate most dangerous offenders

Nearly one in ten probation hostels where England and Wales' most dangerous offenders live after leaving prison have been closed after a staffing crisis.

As ministers prepare the early release of thousands of inmates in September, a leaked memo revealed that staffing challenges" have led to temporary closures of the heavily-supervised approved premises".