Reaction To Panorama

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We welcome your reaction to tonight's Panorama expose of Probation. Remember this page is public. The private message device can also be used.

As is often the case with Panorama, it only scratches the surface in terms of acknowledging the levels of incompetence and self interest that was involved in the creation of the new structures. I only lost my career. Some people have lost a lot more.

It was a ill conceived reform that was rushed through by Chris Grayling, the then minister, without trialling, designed to save money and serve as Conservative political dogma. The changes have compromised probation and community rehabilitation companies making a previously difficult job almost impossible to supervise offenders adequately. Unfortunately, as a result, innocent people are and will be at risk of becoming collateral damage.

No surprises in the programme which seemed quite fair and accurate.

I think it got the message across about how we’ve all been shafted. No mention of Chris Grayling though. Also I would like to have known more about the NPS case featured as there were clearly indefensible decisions made but how overworked, inexperienced, unsupported was the officer involved?

There was a more detailed account of that dreadfully sad case in the Guardian.

I wasn't surprised by anything in the programme. I doubt it will change anything. I was made redundant last December and to be honest I am glad to be working in the private sector.

The programme was quite measured and got the message across. I do however struggle with the view that private equals bad. I work for a CRC and am the same qualified person I was before the split, trying hard to do a good job under difficult circumstances. Every day I see dedicated staff who work hard to support people, protect the public and reduce reoffending but because we are no longer NPS we are seen as somehow less qualified or less experienced.

Missing the point Xxxxxxxx.

Xxxxxxxx well said, its not the officers who are failing but being failed, along with the offenders and the public.

I don't think the officers are less qualified. They are just being required to perform impossible tasks as to the numbers they work with and still on the whole they deliver and at times deliver miracles.

I don't see it that way at all. When the split of NPS and the CRCs occurred, many fine and effective probation officers found themselves in the newly formed CRCs. A majority of former colleagues are working in CRCs and are labouring under excessive caseload and bureaucracy. A probation officer or probation service officer is only as good as the system they are working in allows them to be. This is true of the NPS and the CRCs.

Totally agree with this and this needs to end as we are all the same skilled colleagues at all levels that we were before this disastrous and shambolic split.

Well said Xxxxxxx.........No one listens to the staff trying to make this work....we didn't have a choice in any of this. I dare say we won't be listened to now either. I work in a very strong team but targets seem to take priority over everything else. I also believe that NPS are struggling as much or more than CRC....

Sadly this only scratches the service.

Breaks my heart to see our once gold star service in tatters.

The Program gave a clear view of the issues faced by staff in both the CRCs and NPS and the devastating impact on the public when probation services breakdown. Sadly the public only becomes aware of what probation does when it fails. Our successes are never acknowledged by the public or probation management. Probation staff in both sectors are currently working harder, with increased case loads, for less with no sign of a pay rise on the horizon for staff. Staff retention has become a major factor for the first time which is just making things worse all round. Chris Grayling should be brought before an appropriate parliamentary commission and made to respond to the parents of the victims identified in last nights programme!

Chris Graylings balls should be on a skewer!

And it's been going on for longer than the four years suggested by Ian Lawrence. AND - maybe if Ian Lawrence and Harry Fletcher and their cronies had defended staff against the attack on probation officers and their terms and conditions 10 years ago, privatisation might never have happened.

Because of the confidentiality around the cases, the successes could never be highlighted; in the same way as the outstanding NHS work that is being done. That enables the government to take pot shots from a great height x.

I have just watched the Panorama programme about Probation and it confirmed all I have heard and feared would happen when the reforms were first introduced. It is morally wrong that private companies, who are commercially driven and responsible to their shareholders for attaining profits, should be attempting to make those profits from the misfortune of others. Not only are they failing to achieve this but they are putting the public at serious risk.

All of us who worked for the Probation Service in the past warned the Government that this would happen and sadly we were right. Grayling would not listen nor would those in senior positions in the Ministry Of Justice. Highly experienced, dedicated professional officers have left the Service disillusioned and disgusted. Many others are struggling on, sick levels have risen, staff are being pushed to breaking point all to achieve a political ideology that has failed. If the idea was to improve standards, protect the public, reduce re-offending and save money then the Conservative Government has failed on every single count.

Thought the government got off light but it was a short programme which was a shame. Would like to see publicised somehow the whole history of the mishandling of the Probation service by successive Ministers since the Probation service became a national service when no one at the Home office attempted to address the different needs of each individual area. They then compounded the problems by using it as a political football, never listening to what those who knew what they were doing were saying what actually needed to be done (if that makes sense). Everytime a new minister or minion changed so did something in Probation, Community Sentences were the most messed about with and yet when they were at their best really successful in the work they were doing with offenders. Nobody minds change when its done for the best reasons, but when its done for political reasons only then you get disaster happening in the future. Those historical deficiencies in proper management have led to the terrible state of affairs of Probation and the rest of the criminal justice system.

The programme was far too short. I got out when Charles Clarke started as Home Secretary... it was untenable at that point. Did I miss it or was there nothing from NAPO? Or has it gone? It's appalling to see, even with that tiny snapshot. And yes, BBC avoid naming Grayling, no surprises there then.

From what we know Napo was instrumental in the programme being aired at least always courting the press to run a story.

This is such a true reflection of what is happening in our profession. Overworked, undermined and no support. I am aware things have to change, but I thought it was supposed to be for the better. It was so sad to see what has happened to the these individuals and to us as an organisation.

All the pit falls illustrated in the programme have been identified by the majority of us and we have been waiting for the Big Bang to take place. Chris Grayling would not listen before the split was rushed thru parliament and I hazard a guess that there will be unfortunately many more serious further offences in the future. The private companies will encourage officers to avoid breach and recalls because it costs money..... on the other hand the National Probation Service is just overlanded with the management of high and very high risk of harm offenders and on top of that have to find the time to deal/cope with the laborious and duplicate paper work. I am glad that I only have a few more months to go before full retirement.

They took a very stable and excellent public sector service that won awards and provided value for money and blew a massive hole in its heart..... the loss of experience and skill all round are the casualties as well as the public, communities and the offenders too! The new arrangements of managing those who receive a 12 months sentence or less in the community is a joke! The prisons need overhauling and should be responsible for rehabilitating offenders in preparation for their release... not wait until they are released! But we all know how under resourced the prisons are and the poor living standards .... oh yes, that too was a dismantled service that moved towards private contracts! Does this government not see a theme emerging and take public protection seriously. At the end of the day, this has to start with them and right now, they are swerving that responsibility with huge consequences. Wouldn't be a surprise if it comes out that Grayling is a shareholder!

I went to the CRC. When I was told by my (incompetent) SPO that my "performance" would be reviewed by what a computer said, not what effective support I could give to an offender, it was time to go. Sad day after 22 years.

I always thought it was Grayling's ill-thought out plan ...make very experienced probation professionals redundant, replace them with inexperienced staff at a cheaper cost ...give all the work back to the NPS ...result, chaos and stress amongst staff and service-users. This government is dabbling with the NHS and teachers in the same way x.

There are other things going on that this programme didn’t even touch on.... sad days.

Sadly, I think this programme just highlighted a few of the massive failings that are going on there. Hard working and committed staff are unfortunately fighting a loosing battle. They have got to do something about it but I fear they will not openly admit their mistake in privatising.

8 missed appointments; enough said!