Gordon Read, the former chief probation officer of Devon and a published poet, has died aged 89. He was known for his empathetic leadership, high expectations, and strong belief in equality.
Career in probation service
As chair of the Association of Chief Officers of Probation from 1992 to 1993, Read melded his diverse professional strengths for the benefit of the whole service and worked to temper dismissive discourse about offenders, according to colleagues.
Born in Kingston, Kent, Read was adopted at age 12 by Edith (nee Cook), a cleaner, and Albert Read, a builder. Growing up in Suffolk, he won a scholarship to Framlingham College. After national service in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, he studied English at Peterhouse, Cambridge, graduating in 1960. There he met Val Exall, a fellow Cambridge student; they married in 1961 and settled in South Kensington, London.
Read then earned a diploma in social studies at the London School of Economics and attended the Home Office specialised probation course. In 1962 he began working as a probation officer with the South West London Probation Service in Wallington, dealing with young offenders. In 1966 he was seconded full-time to study on the Tavistock advanced course in social work.
Leadership roles
Appointed to the Inner London Probation Service in 1968, he became senior probation officer at Pentonville prison, responsible for resettlement. In 1972, he was promoted to assistant chief with the Hereford and Worcester Probation Service and later became West Midlands regional staff development officer. The imaginative courses he created added richness to the service's work, said colleagues.
In 1981 Read was appointed chief probation officer for Devon, leading the management team until 1996. Colleagues admired his sharp political intellect—challenging, sometimes provocative, but always considerate.
Later life and poetry
After retiring in 1996, Read and Val settled in Exeter. He earned a master's in creative writing at Plymouth University, allowing his longstanding interests in poetry and short stories to flourish. He published three verse collections.
His active community involvement continued until his last days, including campaigning for the NHS and for restorative justice.
Read and Val had two daughters, Julia and Lucetta. In 1982 Julia died in a climbing accident. Profound grief was expressed in his poem "The Daughter's Room."
Gordon Read is survived by Val, Lu, and a grandson, Andrew.
