More male staff could help with offenders, says England and Wales probation chief

Kim Thornden-Edwards says it may be good to tackle issues of masculinity and power from a male perspective

The probation service needs more men to help bring a male perspective to cases involving violent offenders, including cases of domestic abuse, the head of the service in England and Wales has said.

In her first interview since taking up the role of chief probation officer in February, Kim Thornden-Edwards told BBC News that the service also needs more older people with life experiences, including those who have been on probation themselves.