Justice Affairs Committee 7

The House of Commons Justice Affairs Committee have now called for supplementary written evidence in the light of the governments Green Paper published a couple of weeks ago. Significantly they are wanting to zoom in on the next Big Idea, namely Payment by Results:-

• What are the relative merits of payment by results and place-based budgeting models as means to encourage local statutory partnerships and other agencies to reduce re-offending? What can be learnt from the implementation of payment by results models in health and welfare reform? What results should determine payment in applying such a model to criminal justice?
• What freedoms would probation trusts like to have to enable them to manage offenders and reduce re-offending more effectively?
• The Government proposes a lead provider model and suggests that commissioning for the delivery and enforcement of sentences and for efforts to reduce re-offending will not be separated. What is the appropriate role for probation in such a model?

I don't think the stakes could be higher for the future of the Probation Service as we currently know and love it. 2011 really is going to be crunch time and these two consultation exercises, the Green Paper and this Parliamentary Enquiry are major opportunites for people within the profession to fully engage and come up with a robust, innovative and well-reasoned argument for our future within a landscape of keen new players. The deadline is 24th January, so now is definitely the time for some late night oil to be burnt and all those senior strategic managers, Union officials and interested academics to earn their pay.  

Happy New Year everyone!