Probation officers back strikes over earlier prisoner release as PM promises cop killers to remain behind bars

PROBATION officers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of potential strike action in protest against the early release of prisoners. Some 5,000 people are expected to be released early under sentencing changes. All will need to be managed in the community by probation staff. Their union, Napo, said the system is already struggling to cope, and that a bigger workload will put public safety at risk. About 90 per cent of its members backed potential industrial action.