'Zara Aleena died even if she sought help - probation services are in crisis'
Probation services are supposed to supervise individuals released from prison – but there are so many cases of women being let down that end in tragedy.
Six hundred have been murdered over the past decade, by people under the supervision of UK probation services.
The latest case is that of law graduate Zara Aleena, who was killed by 29-year-old Jordan McSweeney.
The fact Zara was murdered, even though she sought help and support from the authorities, makes me question the effectiveness of the systems set up to protect us and our loved ones.
And I find myself worrying about the possibility of my children falling victim to a similar tragedy.
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The failure of probation services to adequately protect women from known offenders is a serious issue that must be addressed.
When you delve into the details of Zara’s case, the facts are horrifying – because they lead to the simple conclusion that if the probation system had done its job properly, she could have been saved.
Jordan McSweeney was jailed for at least 38 years for murdering Zara (Metropolitan Police)
Zara was killed while walking home (PA)I keep wondering: How could McSweeney have been classified as a medium-risk offender, when he had a history of domestic abuse and previous convictions?
And how could probation officers have decided that good behaviour in prison amounted to a “medium threat” to society?
McSweeney himself said he was afraid of his own anger. The failure of the system to properly assess the risk an offender poses – the very job it is required to do to keep citizens safe – is in crisis.
And urgent, immediate action is needed before more mistakes cost innocent lives.
Like any institution, if it is not funded, resourced adequately and routinely held accountable, it is going to rot.
And this is where I hold the Government to account.
Because it has been presented with reports from the inspectorate of probation that said checks on sexual offenders and domestic violence perpetrators going back into the community were “nowhere near effective enough”.
Jordan McSweeney following a woman in Ilford before his attack on Zara (PA)Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Women’s Justice, has said: “We have probation officers who don’t understand what behaviour represents danger towards women, and a prison and parole system not effectively identifying risk.”
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Another disturbing fact about tragic Zara’s case is that when McSweeney was released he was not tagged and did not even have a confirmed address. And when he failed to turn up to meetings with his probation officer, alarm bells did not start ringing – because he was seen as a “medium risk”.
I keep asking: How could this have happened, with all the technology at our disposal, with all the agencies out there to protect us?
But the scariest thought is this: When are we going to read about another Zara?
A woman murdered because the probation service failed to do its job – and because our government failed to modernise a central institution that keeps dangerous people off our streets?
There are no excuses for the state to bury its head on this matter.
The murder statistics are clear to see. The experts have said what needs to be done to improve the system
The outcry from women for better safety in public places is loud and clear.
But it seems to be falling on deaf ears.
As a woman, mum and citizen, I say this: Mr Prime Minister, if you could find the money during Covid to solve problems, you need to find the money now to fund a probation service that is posing a daily threat to everyday people.
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