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The old "divide and conquer" that MoJ tried last time they wanted to give out probation contacts to private companies. Is this a real CRC PO or another MoJ stooge stirring up trouble?
The old "divide and conquer" that MoJ tried last time they wanted to give out probation contacts to private companies. Is this a real CRC PO or another MoJ stooge stirring up trouble?
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The passage of time also takes its toll & we've had a hardline Tory govt for 8 years now. If you were 16 in 2010 you'll be 24 now... I'm not involved in any exclusive facebook forum but occasional discussions with colleagues across a variety of disciplines suggests that many 'people professions' are being increasingly populated by newly qualified, younger self-confident staff who have a preference for keeping cases they work with at a distance, are less inclined to 'get alongside' & more likely to 'do work to' rather than 'work with' their caseload, i.e. a clinical model which has innate power imbalances & tends to favour hard data & targets. A perfect environment for the MoJ's vision of probation vis-a-vis TR2 & the new NPS: "my way or the highway".
The passage of time also takes its toll & we've had a hardline Tory govt for 8 years now. If you were 16 in 2010 you'll be 24 now... I'm not involved in any exclusive facebook forum but occasional discussions with colleagues across a variety of disciplines suggests that many 'people professions' are being increasingly populated by newly qualified, younger self-confident staff who have a preference for keeping cases they work with at a distance, are less inclined to 'get alongside' & more likely to 'do work to' rather than 'work with' their caseload, i.e. a clinical model which has innate power imbalances & tends to favour hard data & targets. A perfect environment for the MoJ's vision of probation vis-a-vis TR2 & the new NPS: "my way or the highway".
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Professionalism has been replaced by a target driven economy. Whether you be butcher, baker or candlestick maker, your value is calculated on outcomes, units of productivity that can be easily measured in a constant pursuit of profit. Quantity trumps quality in today's world.
Professionalism has been replaced by a target driven economy. Whether you be butcher, baker or candlestick maker, your value is calculated on outcomes, units of productivity that can be easily measured in a constant pursuit of profit. Quantity trumps quality in today's world.
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As a PO in the NPS I really don’t know how I can continue to try and manage my workload. I’m 136% on the WMT (is this normal?) I can no longer cope with the unrealistic demands and pressures placed on me & don’t know what to do. I have no clue who my union rep is & I never really receive any information from Unison. The IT failure has just made the situation so much worse. I no longer feel I can do my work to the standard I would like. Are there any other NPS PO’s out there feeling the same?
As a PO in the NPS I really don’t know how I can continue to try and manage my workload. I’m 136% on the WMT (is this normal?) I can no longer cope with the unrealistic demands and pressures placed on me & don’t know what to do. I have no clue who my union rep is & I never really receive any information from Unison. The IT failure has just made the situation so much worse. I no longer feel I can do my work to the standard I would like. Are there any other NPS PO’s out there feeling the same?
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I'm also an NPS PO. In our office we're all on the same sort of percentage and have been for far too many YEARS!! These days, I have the 'sod it' view. I don't overwork myself anymore, just do what I can at my pace. Nothing happens when OASys are not completed. Just record your contacts, complete work that is targeted and do what you can with the remainder. Don't work over, I used to do but no more. If they want completing properly then get appropriate staffing levels. I'm far happier these days and less stressed. It's not worth it. They treat us all so badly, just look after yourself.
I'm also an NPS PO. In our office we're all on the same sort of percentage and have been for far too many YEARS!! These days, I have the 'sod it' view. I don't overwork myself anymore, just do what I can at my pace. Nothing happens when OASys are not completed. Just record your contacts, complete work that is targeted and do what you can with the remainder. Don't work over, I used to do but no more. If they want completing properly then get appropriate staffing levels. I'm far happier these days and less stressed. It's not worth it. They treat us all so badly, just look after yourself.
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Exactly. Stressing and burning yourself out doing more than you can is not going to do you any good. Or your team mates any good if you end up going off work with stress through pushing yourself over the limit.
Exactly. Stressing and burning yourself out doing more than you can is not going to do you any good. Or your team mates any good if you end up going off work with stress through pushing yourself over the limit.
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Talking about failure, no computers again today! Apparently it’s a ‘national problem.’ A national disgrace more like. The only good side to it is it stops the constant bombardment of management crap. They must be worried sick to realise that we cope extremely well without their ‘guidance.’ And it proves that they are being paid money for nothing.
Talking about failure, no computers again today! Apparently it’s a ‘national problem.’ A national disgrace more like. The only good side to it is it stops the constant bombardment of management crap. They must be worried sick to realise that we cope extremely well without their ‘guidance.’ And it proves that they are being paid money for nothing.
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Jeeeeez! Before we kick off a debate on the whys and wherefores' lets kick this debate into touch until the government prove they are capable of getting basic IT to work. As in, emails, basic communications. Head in hands, and dreading my return to work on Monday.
Jeeeeez! Before we kick off a debate on the whys and wherefores' lets kick this debate into touch until the government prove they are capable of getting basic IT to work. As in, emails, basic communications. Head in hands, and dreading my return to work on Monday.
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I'm a case manager within an Interserve CRC - I have many people on my case load that suffer with quite severe mental health that I feel back in the day of the good old PSR (adjournment for assessments etc) these cases would have been diverted out of the CJS that would better benefit the service users - the thought of digital courts fills me with dread for service users that will end up with us and not get the most appropriate support and for staff that are going under with increased case load numbers - we just don't have enough staff now for all the craziness we're expected to complete - in CGM Interserve we are being put into "specialisms, resettlement, engagement, community etc, all our cases are being reallocated to whatever team they're deemed to fit - so forget about relationships and the upset this may cause service users - it really does just make me feel ill literally.
I'm a case manager within an Interserve CRC - I have many people on my case load that suffer with quite severe mental health that I feel back in the day of the good old PSR (adjournment for assessments etc) these cases would have been diverted out of the CJS that would better benefit the service users - the thought of digital courts fills me with dread for service users that will end up with us and not get the most appropriate support and for staff that are going under with increased case load numbers - we just don't have enough staff now for all the craziness we're expected to complete - in CGM Interserve we are being put into "specialisms, resettlement, engagement, community etc, all our cases are being reallocated to whatever team they're deemed to fit - so forget about relationships and the upset this may cause service users - it really does just make me feel ill literally.
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Personally I think no IT puts everyone in an office at risk, both staff and service users. But given the number of sub standard inspections of CRCs, many indicating a potential risk to life, I'm puzzled as to why the probation inspectorate does not have the same powers as the prison inspector to issue an 'urgent notification' notice?
Personally I think no IT puts everyone in an office at risk, both staff and service users. But given the number of sub standard inspections of CRCs, many indicating a potential risk to life, I'm puzzled as to why the probation inspectorate does not have the same powers as the prison inspector to issue an 'urgent notification' notice?
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I don't quite recall how many CRC inspections there have been since the privatisation of Probation Services, I'm guessing 12 to 15, of which I recall only one, Durham, which had a reasonable write up. The rest have ranged from an unacceptable average to dire with, as a previous comment alluded to, some consolatory sugar lumps to sweeten the otherwise unpalatable mixture. Let's be frank about what this means, the public and victims at increased risk and rehabilitation not much more than lip service paid.
I don't quite recall how many CRC inspections there have been since the privatisation of Probation Services, I'm guessing 12 to 15, of which I recall only one, Durham, which had a reasonable write up. The rest have ranged from an unacceptable average to dire with, as a previous comment alluded to, some consolatory sugar lumps to sweeten the otherwise unpalatable mixture. Let's be frank about what this means, the public and victims at increased risk and rehabilitation not much more than lip service paid.
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Computer services are not restored in all offices and not everyone can send and receive e-mails, prisons will not allow wi-fi, dongles or mi-fi, and the chaos which prevails has not prevented the Parole Board from sending reprimands about overdue reports. I don’t envisage our glorious leaders staffing the barricades in our defence as once again, their silence is deafening. Keep sending the money (and the gongs,) we’re alright Jack!
Computer services are not restored in all offices and not everyone can send and receive e-mails, prisons will not allow wi-fi, dongles or mi-fi, and the chaos which prevails has not prevented the Parole Board from sending reprimands about overdue reports. I don’t envisage our glorious leaders staffing the barricades in our defence as once again, their silence is deafening. Keep sending the money (and the gongs,) we’re alright Jack!
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Yes I agree the cuts have only just started. UPW units around East Mids trying to get offenders to report to site for their UPW so vans are not needed. Cost cut or what. I've even heard of one unit trying to get the placement to supervise the whole group. No supervisor needed. Lives yes will be at risk if proper trained staff are not in use. Where does the cuts stop and at what cost.
Yes I agree the cuts have only just started. UPW units around East Mids trying to get offenders to report to site for their UPW so vans are not needed. Cost cut or what. I've even heard of one unit trying to get the placement to supervise the whole group. No supervisor needed. Lives yes will be at risk if proper trained staff are not in use. Where does the cuts stop and at what cost.
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The brass-neck of the MoJ is impressive. MP Yasmin Qureshi was asking about defendants being released without trial, i.e. released from the jurisdiction of the court. That MIGHT mean being released from prison if they were remanded into custody pre-trial, but it also includes (probably the majority) defendants bailed, whether conditionally or otherwise. Frazer's non-answer is one of those *telling* strategies much-loved of politicians when they don't want to give anything away. EVERYTHING about this bullying, deceitful government & the eager lick-spittles that support it is utterly suspect.
The brass-neck of the MoJ is impressive. MP Yasmin Qureshi was asking about defendants being released without trial, i.e. released from the jurisdiction of the court. That MIGHT mean being released from prison if they were remanded into custody pre-trial, but it also includes (probably the majority) defendants bailed, whether conditionally or otherwise. Frazer's non-answer is one of those *telling* strategies much-loved of politicians when they don't want to give anything away. EVERYTHING about this bullying, deceitful government & the eager lick-spittles that support it is utterly suspect.
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DLNR CRC - Shock! Horror! Even the farmer's friend Dame Stacey can't find much positive to say. Managers cut staffing & resources to the bone, remaining staff neither knowledgeable enough nor allowed the time to do their jobs.
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It highlights the bleedin' obvious though, i.e. the CRCs cleared out the expensive experienced qualified staff in a planned move to save money for themselves & their shareholders; then recruited cheaper unqualified alternatives who will inevitably be without the knowledge & skills of experienced qualified staff. I agree. Those frontline staff are NOT to blame. The unscrupulous, selfish, greedy CRC managers at ALL levels are wholly to blame, whether they designed, imposed or implemented the CRC policies. I can hear them whining already...
"I'm only doing my job"
"I'm only doing what I'm told to do"
"I'm only following company instructions"
Yes, indeed, it is likely to be true that quite a few kept their jobs at the expense of hundreds of colleagues' careers that were cast aside; and it is those collaborators who implement the CRC policies to hang on to their jobs, to keep their CRC salaries & thus enable the CRCs to continue to butcher the 'probation' carcass - funded by the UK taxpayer. Come on, tell it as it really is. Save the sugar lumps for Dobbin down on the farm, Dame Mary Poppins.
"I'm only doing my job"
"I'm only doing what I'm told to do"
"I'm only following company instructions"
Yes, indeed, it is likely to be true that quite a few kept their jobs at the expense of hundreds of colleagues' careers that were cast aside; and it is those collaborators who implement the CRC policies to hang on to their jobs, to keep their CRC salaries & thus enable the CRCs to continue to butcher the 'probation' carcass - funded by the UK taxpayer. Come on, tell it as it really is. Save the sugar lumps for Dobbin down on the farm, Dame Mary Poppins.
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I genuinely feel for staff in CRCs. They are not to blame. The operating models were essentially about doing things on the cheap; fewer staff, with fewer resources and vastly inflated workloads. The privatised/outsourced model for Probation services on so many levels was anticipated to be, has now proven to be, a highly flawed model. It should really be consigned to the dustbin of regrettable political experiments.
I genuinely feel for staff in CRCs. They are not to blame. The operating models were essentially about doing things on the cheap; fewer staff, with fewer resources and vastly inflated workloads. The privatised/outsourced model for Probation services on so many levels was anticipated to be, has now proven to be, a highly flawed model. It should really be consigned to the dustbin of regrettable political experiments.
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I note that some of the High Street banks suffered a computer failure on Friday afternoon, but they were back up and running before close of play. It seems that if there is money to be made, the problems can be overcome. Meanwhile, there does not appear to be a contingency plan.Imagine compiling an OAsys in this manner and submitting it to someone calling themselves a manager. I think it might be rejected but this is yet another example of “do as I say, not as I do”.
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I think the real issue is accountability, or lack of it. Outsourcing and privatisation has pervaded into all areas of our society, and it's damaging and destructive. I used to think that the neoliberal ideology of shrinking the State was just to make it smaller, offload responsibility from government. In fact, the privateers and outsourcers now provide a fortress between the people and government. The State has not just got smaller, it's being insulated against responsibility and accountability by thick walls of corporate legislation and confidentiality.
I think the real issue is accountability, or lack of it. Outsourcing and privatisation has pervaded into all areas of our society, and it's damaging and destructive. I used to think that the neoliberal ideology of shrinking the State was just to make it smaller, offload responsibility from government. In fact, the privateers and outsourcers now provide a fortress between the people and government. The State has not just got smaller, it's being insulated against responsibility and accountability by thick walls of corporate legislation and confidentiality.
The Government don't give a jot if IT systems aren't working, pension pots are being depleted, or public services are in meltdown. It's the corporations that's to blame, not them. The corporations don't give a jot either. They take their money on the go ensuring those that profit get theres, and if it all goes wrong heyho, just move on to the next contract. Sir Nicholas Soames this week made an outrageous argument that outsourcers are being too hard hit, and they should be allowed to fail. I have no problem with that argument as long as it's the corporations that absorb the financial losses, and not the public purse. But it never is.
There has to be more accountability by government. Persistent failure in all areas of our social existence can't (and shouldn't) be tolerated any longer. Privatisation, outsourcing and giant corporations are sucking the blood out of our society, and left unchecked, they will continue to pollute everything from our education systems, workplaces, to our old age and social care. They're making society ill.
The way the corporations operate is seeping into everything. Many think of the third sector as a group that organise themselves to do charitable work, providing for people in great need without looking for anything in return. People may be surprised to know there's over 160,000 registered charities in the UK! And it's big business too.
There needs to be more accountability, more transparency, and more consequences for the blatant disregard the public is shown by both corporations and government. I believe social values, and how we want to be seen as a nation, and as individuals, is just as, if not more, important then the relentless pursuit of profit for profits sake.
There needs to be more accountability, more transparency, and more consequences for the blatant disregard the public is shown by both corporations and government. I believe social values, and how we want to be seen as a nation, and as individuals, is just as, if not more, important then the relentless pursuit of profit for profits sake.
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Here in ProvincialBackwater LDU we have adopted a paper based work-around. Basic offender details are typed onto doubled white A4 paper. We call this a Part A. Sentence Plans and Reviews are typed onto pink A4 paper. We call this a Part B. Day to day recording is typed onto white A4 paper. We call this a Part C. It works and has yet to go down on us.
Here in ProvincialBackwater LDU we have adopted a paper based work-around. Basic offender details are typed onto doubled white A4 paper. We call this a Part A. Sentence Plans and Reviews are typed onto pink A4 paper. We call this a Part B. Day to day recording is typed onto white A4 paper. We call this a Part C. It works and has yet to go down on us.
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Please train somebody up in IT, second week of being unable to access systems!!! Shite system that is proving, YET AGAIN, unfit for purpose.Why is this stuff not being publicised. Complete waste of public money. How much is this farce costing? How many employees bring paid but unable to work? What is the daily cost of that? Not to mention the risk to staff and the public issues. Feeble apology yesterday but no information as to when the problem will be fixed. It's a bloody joke. No doubt there'll be a CBE next year for the Head of IT.
Please train somebody up in IT, second week of being unable to access systems!!! Shite system that is proving, YET AGAIN, unfit for purpose.Why is this stuff not being publicised. Complete waste of public money. How much is this farce costing? How many employees bring paid but unable to work? What is the daily cost of that? Not to mention the risk to staff and the public issues. Feeble apology yesterday but no information as to when the problem will be fixed. It's a bloody joke. No doubt there'll be a CBE next year for the Head of IT.
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Education and qualifications are great. But you don't need a City and Guilds for a zero hour contract with Deliveroo or order picking for Home Bargains. I'm quite shocked to learn that 27% of offenders being released go into employment upon release given that 1 in 4 prisoners are now being released homeless. 27% seems pretty high to me. I have no real time either for organisations like St Giles who get funding to help homelessness, but also provide information to the authorities on those they claim to help that may have an illegal immigration status.
Education and qualifications are great. But you don't need a City and Guilds for a zero hour contract with Deliveroo or order picking for Home Bargains. I'm quite shocked to learn that 27% of offenders being released go into employment upon release given that 1 in 4 prisoners are now being released homeless. 27% seems pretty high to me. I have no real time either for organisations like St Giles who get funding to help homelessness, but also provide information to the authorities on those they claim to help that may have an illegal immigration status.
It's a food chain, even a gravy chain and everyone wants a bit. Everybody wants to help the ex offender when they can shake a few bob out of their situation, but it's all short term and mostly irrelevant interventions. Nothing is done anymore (excepting a few good voluntary organisation) if there's no profit in it, and the people on the treadmill are acutely aware of that fact. Assistance and support and the development of ex-offenders has become such a huge marketplace, why would those who profit from that market have any interest in reducing reoffending? They'd just be doing themselves out of a job. It's criminal justice ambulance chasing.
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Not our job to house them. The PO who allowed him to live in a budget hotel almost certainly balanced the risk against him being on the street and likely this would have been much less safe. Also, would have almost certainly had SPO approval. Probably on account of housing not being able to house him because of the strict policies laid down by councils. As a consequence of? You guessed it. Tory cuts. Or, as I have seen with my own eyes. Council housing workers not wanting to help "the dirty bastards." Common theme amongst organisations. Raising risk of course.
Not our job to house them. The PO who allowed him to live in a budget hotel almost certainly balanced the risk against him being on the street and likely this would have been much less safe. Also, would have almost certainly had SPO approval. Probably on account of housing not being able to house him because of the strict policies laid down by councils. As a consequence of? You guessed it. Tory cuts. Or, as I have seen with my own eyes. Council housing workers not wanting to help "the dirty bastards." Common theme amongst organisations. Raising risk of course.
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Going off at a tangent, I heard a tale today which is utterly scurrilous and clearly has no grounding in truth. A CEO went to a team meeting (see, it already sounds far-fetched) and began to grill staff as to why they hadn’t applied for jobs in a prison. (There has been a murder in one of her Majesties establishments in the same region this week by the way). The CEO, not liking the response they were getting, went round the room pointing at people individually with a pen and asked them to explain themselves! The said leader (!) is reputedly a diversity devotee and a CBE. No conflict of ideologies there then, and clearly believes they live in the days of the Empire. It couldn’t be true, it’s too outlandish.
Going off at a tangent, I heard a tale today which is utterly scurrilous and clearly has no grounding in truth. A CEO went to a team meeting (see, it already sounds far-fetched) and began to grill staff as to why they hadn’t applied for jobs in a prison. (There has been a murder in one of her Majesties establishments in the same region this week by the way). The CEO, not liking the response they were getting, went round the room pointing at people individually with a pen and asked them to explain themselves! The said leader (!) is reputedly a diversity devotee and a CBE. No conflict of ideologies there then, and clearly believes they live in the days of the Empire. It couldn’t be true, it’s too outlandish.
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We had all the right balance pre TR and needed some resources. Guess what Grayling squandered billions and put work back a decade and now we are scratching heads .
We had all the right balance pre TR and needed some resources. Guess what Grayling squandered billions and put work back a decade and now we are scratching heads .
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I found it surprising that a former Senior Probation Officer has sought to boil criminality down to a 'choice' (to be or not to be) without at least expanding on the idea, acknowledging that choices are not simplistic calculations. Changing or choosing behaviour as if it were always a simple matter of a polarised, freely made and calculated individual choice, a flick of a switch, really does not stand up to scrutiny.
I found it surprising that a former Senior Probation Officer has sought to boil criminality down to a 'choice' (to be or not to be) without at least expanding on the idea, acknowledging that choices are not simplistic calculations. Changing or choosing behaviour as if it were always a simple matter of a polarised, freely made and calculated individual choice, a flick of a switch, really does not stand up to scrutiny.
Whilst I am not against the use of custody to protect the public, deprive offenders of their liberty as a punishment, a reflection of society's desire to have some form of retribution in the name of justice etc., I did find the idea [surprising] that custody in its present form and more of it is the means by which the wrong behavioural choices can be best deterred. Again does not stand up to scrutiny. Overly simplistic Mr Fraser, as is banning short custodial sentences Minister.
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“We do not need psychologists to tell us that if you reward bad behaviour you will get more of it.” What a disappointing and reductionist argument from someone with a Probation background. It reminded me of the rhetoric of the Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro so steeped are David Fraser's critiques of anything more sophisticated than ‘lock ‘em up and throw away the key’ approaches. We do need psychologists to help us understand risk. Paedophilic and other forms of criminality may not be able to be changed and we the law abiding have to manage it in a humane way, remember the criminals can be our family members. Psychological approaches can also inform us how early relationships with caregivers can nurture anti social tendency’s and how these can be understood moderated and inform accurate assessment of risks to the public.
“We do not need psychologists to tell us that if you reward bad behaviour you will get more of it.” What a disappointing and reductionist argument from someone with a Probation background. It reminded me of the rhetoric of the Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro so steeped are David Fraser's critiques of anything more sophisticated than ‘lock ‘em up and throw away the key’ approaches. We do need psychologists to help us understand risk. Paedophilic and other forms of criminality may not be able to be changed and we the law abiding have to manage it in a humane way, remember the criminals can be our family members. Psychological approaches can also inform us how early relationships with caregivers can nurture anti social tendency’s and how these can be understood moderated and inform accurate assessment of risks to the public.
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For those caught in the revolving door of the CJS, a short sentence is at worst an inconvenience, at best it provides a short respite from a chaotic lifestyle. Many I believe, if given the choice would choose a short custodial over many types of community punishment. I read a warning from the Lawyers today about the legal system being so under funded that it's creating a situation where those with money are able to escape justice. Its services being made available and the provision of some means of opportunity that Rory should be looking at. Getting rid of short sentences may reduce the prison population slightly, but on its own will achieve nothing for those being diverted.
For those caught in the revolving door of the CJS, a short sentence is at worst an inconvenience, at best it provides a short respite from a chaotic lifestyle. Many I believe, if given the choice would choose a short custodial over many types of community punishment. I read a warning from the Lawyers today about the legal system being so under funded that it's creating a situation where those with money are able to escape justice. Its services being made available and the provision of some means of opportunity that Rory should be looking at. Getting rid of short sentences may reduce the prison population slightly, but on its own will achieve nothing for those being diverted.
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What Fraser fails to mention is that crime is a construct, and offences are often linked to those pesky social & environmental factors. Because of this, the less fortunate will commit more crimes, because they don't have the wealth or education to avoid the system (the drug user with no job has to steal to fund his habit. The stock broker with same habit can afford not to steal). However, if we are going to deliberately ignore all the independent variables of poverty, upbringing, unemployment etc in shaping criminality, then surely white collar crime most fits David Frasers basic theory that crime is an individual choice. This crime is mainly hidden in the fabric of capitalist values. But it's impact is far reaching (we are still in the grip of a financial depression caused by white collar crime).
What Fraser fails to mention is that crime is a construct, and offences are often linked to those pesky social & environmental factors. Because of this, the less fortunate will commit more crimes, because they don't have the wealth or education to avoid the system (the drug user with no job has to steal to fund his habit. The stock broker with same habit can afford not to steal). However, if we are going to deliberately ignore all the independent variables of poverty, upbringing, unemployment etc in shaping criminality, then surely white collar crime most fits David Frasers basic theory that crime is an individual choice. This crime is mainly hidden in the fabric of capitalist values. But it's impact is far reaching (we are still in the grip of a financial depression caused by white collar crime).
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A jarring read, particularly that by David Fraser. I imagine that his views are supported by a large percentage of the general public and his writing is powerful. His views need to be part of the debate, they have significant support, but I think the approach to the problem of criminality requires a more nuanced understanding and with that thoughtful investment in a wide range of services of which community sentences are but one of many.
A jarring read, particularly that by David Fraser. I imagine that his views are supported by a large percentage of the general public and his writing is powerful. His views need to be part of the debate, they have significant support, but I think the approach to the problem of criminality requires a more nuanced understanding and with that thoughtful investment in a wide range of services of which community sentences are but one of many.
There's a disturbing rise in the number of cases of self-harm amongst children in custody, despite the number of children in custody falling.
ReplyDeleteThe finger will of course be pointed at government austerity measures, but I think it should be remembered that much of the juvenile estate is privatised and outsourced to companies such as G4s and MTC Novo.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/children-self-harm-mental-health-custody-young-offenders-prison-a8744976.html
'Getafix
Is it the wrong service looking after the wrong people?
Deletehttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/probation-mental-health-prison-criminal-justice-system-reoffending-community-sentences-community-a8730266.html
More than 10,000 criminals serving community sentences are likely to be suffering from undetected mental health problems, increasing their risk of self-harm, suicide and reoffending, according to analysis by The Independent.
DeleteFigures obtained via freedom of information requests reveal the identification of such conditions among people serving non-custodial terms varies wildly across the country, but in almost all areas falls short of the government’s own assessment of their frequency.
Some 91,293 people are serving community sentences in England and Wales, and the government estimated in July last year that 35 per cent were suffering from a mental health condition.
However, the rate of people self-reporting a mental health need on starting a community order ranged from 10.6 per cent in London to 35.6 per cent in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, according to data obtained from the Ministry of Justice by charity Revolving Doors Agency and shared exclusively with The Independent.
If the government’s own assessment of the prevalence of mental conditions is correct, that would indicate there are nearly 4,000 people serving the orders in London alone who are likely to be suffering from a mental illness, but have not reported it.
Nationally, the detection rate averages out at 23.57 per cent. That indicates a total discrepancy of some 10,435 people whose conditions are undiagnosed – and are therefore trying to cope without the support they may need to stop them harming themselves or others.
Lord Keith Bradley, author of a landmark report on people with mental health problems in the criminal justice system, said the MoJ figures highlighted a fundamental problem in supporting offenders in the community with mental health-related disabilities and complex needs.
“The data suggests that the level of information being shared with the CRCs is not robust enough,” he told The Independent.
“There’s an inadequacy in screening problems to properly identify all those with mental health conditions and where that information is collected, it’s not effectively shared along the criminal justice pathway to ensure that at each point there is the most knowledge of the needs of the individual so that interventions are appropriate to those needs.”
Lord Bradley also suggested the lack of appropriate care could contribute to high levels of reoffending – more than a third (34.1 per cent) of adults reoffend after starting an order.
“People in the community are not properly connected to the support services they need to ensure the problems they’ve encountered, which may have led them into the criminal justice system in the first place, are addressed,” he said.
The data comes as self-inflicted deaths are revealed to be the leading cause of death among people serving community sentences, accounting for almost a third (31.1%) in 2017-18. Those on community orders are also more than 10 times as likely to die by suicide than the general population.
Rory Stewart, the prisons minister, lauded community orders over custodial sentences for crimes including burglaries and shoplifting when he spoke last week about the possible scrapping of jail sentences of six months or less.
“In my responsibility to protect the public, the public are safer if we have a good community sentence rather than putting people in prison for short sentences and it will also relieve a lot of pressure on these prisons,“ he told The Daily Telegraph.
David Gauke, the justice secretary, suggested greater use of community sentences when he axed plans for new prisons for women in June 2018.
DeleteHe also announced plans to improve access to mental health support for offenders in the community in August 2018 following an MoJ study that highlighted very low use of treatment requirements as part of community sentences. Five pilot sites were launched to trial mental health referrals for vulnerable offenders in the community.
Less than 1 per cent of community sentences handed down since 2010 included a mental health treatment requirement, and their use halved between 2012-13 and 2017-18, falling from 0.6 per cent to 0.3 per cent.
Legal thinktank the Centre for Justice Innovation urged the MoJ in December 2018 to urgently reconsider the level of funding available for drug and mental health treatment for offenders in the community, and reconsider whether the funding should be ring fenced.
Phil Bowen, director of the Centre for Justice Innovation, said: “Effective community sentences cut reoffending and cut crime. But for the public and the courts to have confidence in them, it is vital that health and justice services are brought together to divert people with serious mental health conditions from short custodial sentences through improved access to treatment.”
Charlotte Douglas*, 54, has a personality disorder and depression and is serving a community sentence in London. She is a repeat offender, having served custodial sentences and feels support has been inadequate.
“I should had have trauma therapy, that is what I know now nine years later,” she said. “There was no diagnosis, no care plan.
“When you tell them [offender managers] about emotional problems they give you the number for Samaritans and a crisis line.
You feel disappointed and rejected. Without support you can have more problems and can get in more trouble. It’s a catch 22. I’ve been crying for help for a long time and it shows.”
Professor Charlie Brooker, honorary professor of criminal justice and mental health at Royal Holloway and one of the authors of an investigation into the prevalence of mental health disorders in the probation population, said improved mental health training for offender managers was needed to sufficiently support those on community sentences.
“In a two-year training programme, a day and a half was spent on mental health,” he told The Independent. “That is not anywhere near enough to be able to assess with any confidence someone’s mental health status.”
Christina Marriott, chief executive of Revolving Doors Agency, said questions need to be asked about whether “CRCs understand the mental health needs of people serving community sentences, why they are failing in this first step of identification and what actions they are now taking”.
“For the community sentences to work, CRCs must be able to identify mental health need,” she said.
“This is the first step to people getting the healthcare they need. And this care can not only help people to stop reoffending, it can save lives – people on community sentences have a suicide rate of 10 times that of the general population.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “As with other members of the public, the mental health of those serving community sentences is assessed and treated by trained medical professionals, not their supervising probation officer.
“Community Rehabilitation Companies work closely with healthcare partners to ensure offenders receive the support they require.
“We are also piloting a pioneering scheme that sees offenders in five areas diverted towards treatment for mental health and substance misuse issues to tackle the root cause of their reoffending.”
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/jan/27/half-of-magistrates-courts-in-england-and-wales-closed-since-tories-elected
ReplyDeleteSince coming to power this Tory govt, whilst enriching & ennobling its friends, has done more severe & lasting damage to the majority of the UK population than I can remember going back to 1970's. It has:
ReplyDelete* herded & bullied millions into 21.C poverty
* closed down the welfare state
* decimated professional social care in its many guises from policing & teaching to social work, probation & prison staff.
* £billions of taxpayer resources have been redirected into the pockets of private individuals whether CEOs, management teams or shareholders.
* Many of the Tory 'players' are wealthy beyond the understanding of most UK citizens; much of their wealth is as a direct result of their policies...
* ... THEY are the Board members, the shareholders, the beneficiaries of privatisation.
The coup de grace will be Brexit, with or without a 'deal'. For example:
No freedom of movement
No NHS-linked (i.e. affordable) health insurances
Visas will be required for all travel
Food & medicine supplies will be interrupted
Food & medicines will increase in price
Fuel will increase in price
Most goods will increase in price
UK wages are already depressed & dropping
Businesses will relocate
Employment opportunities will decrease
Everything has a cost & pretty much everything from March 29 2019 will be more costly than its ever been in the UK - and not just in financial terms.
There are hard & unpleasant times ahead; unfortunately the hardest & most unpleasant times will be reserved for those who have the least capacity for resilience and there will be no-one left to break their fall. Private probation providers aren't interested as there's no profit; prisons are already overflowing; there isn't any local authority money left for social workers or teachers; and there aren't enough police officers, so crime will be categorised & prioritised via a (probably privatised) triage system (in fact, Lincs Police have a G4S-run control room which more or less does just that).
We're fucked.
My god you people bleat on. Maybe you wouldn't find it so difficult to do your jobs if you got on with them rather than whinging on here. Oh and there are 21 different CRCs not one generic monster. The sweeping statements really undermine any kind of reasoned arguement you might risk finding amongst this self indulgent bleating!
ReplyDeleteOh silly me, 00:25, there's me bleating on & on for my own benefit. How self-indulgent of me. I will put broken glass in my underpants for a week, hush my heretical mouth & dedicate myself to meeting corporate targets. Please accept my humble & heartfelt apologies. I'm on the train heading to the office as I write this. I'm so sorry. It won't happen again.
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