Paul McDowell, chief executive of Nacro, is leaving the crime reduction charity to become chief inspector of HMI Probation.

McDowell will take over the role at the independent inspectorate, which is funded by the Ministry of Justice, at a crucial time, as the government introduces radical reforms to the way offenders are rehabilitated.

Commenting on his new role, McDowell said: “I very much look forward to becoming HM Chief Inspector of Probation. The independent inspection of probation services is vital to ensure that interventions and engagement are of the highest quality and are effective in reducing reoffending.

“I am also looking forward to working with youth offending teams and inspecting the work they do to keep young people safe and prevent them from reoffending.”

McDowell has been at prisoner rehabilitation charity Nacro since November 2009, after spending three years as the governor of HMP Brixton.

Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, said: “Paul’s experience inside the prison walls helping to turn offenders’ lives around, and his work in the community helping to break the cycle of reoffending make him an ideal fit for this role.”

HMI Probation assesses the effectiveness of work to keep risk of harm to the public to a minimum. 

McDowell is due to take up his new role at HMI Probation in February 2014.

A Nacro spokesman said it was in the process of appointing a new chief executive.