Phase: Pilot

Speech AI

Reducing admin by automatically transcribing frontline interactions

Frontline staff often spend a significant amount of time transcribing conversations, meetings, or supervision sessions. This is time that could be better spent engaging with people and managing risk.

We are piloting AI transcription and summarisation tools in probation services across Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Wales. These tools automatically convert spoken interactions into structured notes, reducing administrative load and improving the quality and consistency of records.

Validated in real-world settings, this approach is freeing up time for deeper engagement, improving job satisfaction, and enabling staff to focus on their core responsibilities.

We are also assessing how similar tools could support other services across the justice system, including courts, tribunals, and victim services, where transcription burdens remain high and delays can impact access to justice.

Speech recognition visualization

Early Results

75%

Reduction in note-taking time

4.5/5

Staff rating for usability and effectiveness

Case Study: Supporting probation officers with notetaking

Probation officers often struggle to record complex interactions in a consistent and timely way, particularly under high workloads. The AI transcription pilot is already delivering tangible improvements.

"Yesterday I had 10 appointments in a single day. For the first time, I finished all my notes before leaving. I walked out at 8pm with everything logged. That's never happened before. It meant I could start the next day on other tasks instead of spending the whole morning catching up."

By cutting admin time and improving clarity, the tool is helping officers stay on top of their caseload, focus on risk and rehabilitation, and reduce stress.