Geoff Dobson OBE

Geoff Dobson OBE
Former Chief Probation Officer

Geoff’s career spans 31 years in the probation service followed by, to date, 17 years in the voluntary sector. He served as a probation officer in Hackney and Islington. He managed an action research team and was warden of a large, mixed probation and bail hostel. He was co-founder and treasurer of the Hackney and City of London Victim Support Scheme. As deputy chief in Inner London his responsibilities included relationships with the courts and operational services across five boroughs south of the Thames. Geoff was chief probation officer for Hertfordshire for 12 years. Elected as chair of the Association of Chief Officers of Probation (ACOP) from 1999-2000, he was awarded an OBE for services to ACOP.

After retiring from probation, Geoff worked as company secretary and deputy director of the Prison Reform Trust (PRT). On behalf of PRT he helped to re-establish the All-Party Parliamentary Penal Affairs Group, serving as its clerk for 12 years. He has been a guest inspector with HM Inspectorate of Prisons on several occasions. Geoff was a trustee of the Restorative Justice Council for a number of years and remains a trustee of the Butler Trust and the Prison Reform Trust.