"This is taking a frustratingly long time to be agreed as there can be multiple versions before getting final agreement with the centre."and one has to wonder what exactly is going on behind the scenes at the MoJ as they steadfastly refuse to release any prisoners and at the same time insist probation staff carry on with 'business as usual'. And here's a funny thing. Despite many attempts to get the main stream media interested in this story, they're not biting. Now why might that be exactly? I notice this has not gone unnoticed by at least one reader:-
Come on, media people. Richard Ford, Angus Crawford, Danny Shaw, Krish Gurumurthy, Adam McQueen. There's a story here about systemic negligence & what's happened - Mail & Torygraph have faithfully run the Govt's press release + Guardian has run a nasty-landlord story with inaccuracies that suggest probation officers see people from behind a screen.
HMPPS via NPS & CRCs are still debating deeply flawed policy directives which means that public health is currently severely compromised by unprotected contact between and unnecessary movement of people in towns & cities across England & Wales.
In Derbyshire the police have employed drones to shame people walking their dogs in the middle of nowhere. BUT... Probation staff, those they supervise & anyone else in their chains of contact have to play Virus Roulette.
Cabinet Ministers & other senior figures have contracted the virus in the last week or two, presumably asymptomatic whilst they've been shut in strategy meetings. Assuming there were significant efforts to limit the risk of infection to these senior figures it shows just how ubiquitous & amenable to transmission this virus is.
So why insist that people who are statistically more likely to have had exposure to the virus - for example those who may have just been released from prison, people with proven disregard for rules and laws, people from multi-occupancy accommodation, sofa-surfers or the homeless - have to travel to appointments in probation offices - where there are no bio-hazard facilities, no deep-cleaning, no screens in interview rooms, no capacity for 2-metre distancing - to meet with staff who are not equipped with PPE & thus have already had a high likelihood of exposure to the virus themselves?
It's a bit like filling several leaky jerry cans with petrol & diesel, placing them in the boot of a car with a known electrical fault, then getting a chain-smoker to drive that car through a packed city centre... and insist that if anyone is maimed or dies it was the fault of those who were too close to the vehicle when it exploded: "They were expected to keep their distance."
--oo00oo--
Another contribution poses this scenario:-
"They were expected to keep their distance."
“They did not request PPE, although offices are frequently cleaned.”
“They agreed to continue to work despite warnings about self isolation and social distancing.”
“The local office managers implemented the exceptional delivery model without risk assessing the building first.”
“The Exceptional Delivery Model was supported by trade unions.”
Tweet from Sonia Flynn:-
ReplyDelete"I trust all Probation managers are saying a huge thank you to their teams as we end another week ... and I want to recognise the Probation Divisional Directors for everything they have done this week.
@NPS_Mids
@LyndaMarginson
@hamilton_roz
@a_cossins
@NPS_SEE
@NPSLDN_Director
BBC website:-
ReplyDeleteRetired police officers say thousands of former colleagues would be willing to rejoin their forces and help the country cope with coronavirus.
Home Office figures show about 22,000 police officers in England and Wales retired over the past five years. The Metropolitan Police is already asking retirees to come back.
Former Ch Supt Kul Mahay said many officers would "jump at the challenge" to help people feel safe. The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said it was working with the government to facilitate the return of recently retired officers, depending on “local needs”.
Mr Mahay, who retired from Derbyshire Constabulary in 2015, said the police needed to help people feel safe. The 53-year-old said: “I think for the most part retired officers will jump at the challenge because you see it as a vocation and for me it was a dream at the age of 10 to be a police officer.”
Mr Mahay said retired officers had “a lot of experience” they could bring back to the service, but it was “subject for debate” whether they should be given full powers. It's possible we could return in more of a support role, to free up uniformed and non-uniformed staff to get out there and maintain order,” he said.
I do not know about that but do know there is a major effort by Gov to publicise slogan "Stay Home Save Lives"
ReplyDeleteIt does not say unless you are a probation or prison worker.
A public outcry seems by my assessments of reports to have increased ppe for health workers, but probation and prison workers do not seem to be much consbidered.
https://vote.conservatives.com/news/stay-at-home-protect-the-nhs-save-lives
Dear colleagues,
ReplyDeleteThis message is simply to say thank you to everyone for their ongoing efforts. Many of you have continued to work at pace and picked up work for absent colleagues.
I know that there are colleagues feeling anxious about themselves and their loved ones, yet despite this you are coming to work (or working from home) and giving of your best.
I keep saying that the majority will suffer mild to moderate symptoms of COVID 19, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that it has had a devastating effect on some. We have closed our St Johns office today due to COVID and while staff self-isolate, we are having the office deep cleaned so that it can open again shortly.
Please do not come to work if you have an underlying health condition or someone you live with has such a problem.
We need to carry on supporting each other in difficult times and we need to remember to be kind, so if we get impatient because of the pressure we are experiencing, let’s be able to say sorry for cross words.
We will get through this, and to help us do this we have to take some perspective sometimes. That is not to say that individuals don’t have a lot of personal and work pressures, but we have support if you need it.
We have our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services which offer counselling, support and information. You can contact them on 0800 019 8988 and also find more information on the Employee Assistance Programme Services page of MyHub. They are waiting for your calls, whatever is worrying you.
We are also developing our Health & Wellbeing hubs and everyone working from home will soon start to get calls to ensure that everyone is alright.
I am hoping that colleagues will soon have their briefing in more details about our exceptional reporting centres and how centres will be paired with each other. There is a lot of guidance to get out to people and we need to find a way that doesn’t bombard you. We are developing a newsletter that will contain all the latest news and guidance.
Remember the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart…
It’s nice to be important but it is more important to be nice.
Kilvinder Vigurs
Director of London NPS
“The Exceptional Delivery Model was supported by trade unions
ReplyDeleteAgreed by unions??? They can't agree anything without seeing risk assessments that protect staff it just goes to show you the moj hmpps are facilitated to damage us while we pay unions to help them do us down
It's been calculated that the virus will peak in approximately two weeks time. But the virus also has a 14 day incubation period.
ReplyDeleteIf the predictions of the virus peak are correct, that must mean that there are many people infected and carrying the virus today, albeit unaware that they are carriers.
That gives the government a very significant problem when it comes to providing testing for Key and Frontline workers.
Testing positive means isolation, but the Government need as many of those Key and Frontline workers as possible operational in the field, not in isolation. The only way to ensure large numbers of essential workers are not removed from the field is to NOT provide testing.
I'm sure that's why doctors and medical staff have not been afforded testing. They haven't got enough medical staff as it is, testing will almost certainly reduce that number further by diverting them into isolation.
It's a very serious and dangerous dilemma. Don't test and risk the spread of the virus, or do test and risk the workforce needed to fight the virus.
Just a note on prisons.
If the Government don't act now, then they may as well not act at all. There's no point in releasing prisoners early if they're all infected anyway is there?
And they urgently need to release the 50 pregnant female prisoners in the system right now. It's not just the offenders life at risk, it's the unborn child's aswell.
'Getafix
They should be tested before release. In terms of the media, I think this is the story they will pick up on. Potentially hundreds or thousands of offenders being released from infected prison a is a huge story. If our unions were of any use they’d already be on the news pointing out these released prisoners will be travelling straight to unprotected workers in probation offices, potentially spreading the virus.
DeleteToday's Times - paywall so needs completing;-
ReplyDeleteMinisters are preparing to use government buildings as prisons to avoid having to release inmates on short sentences as jails risk being overwhelmed.
Prisons in England and Wales have gone into lockdown, with restrictions on inmates’ movements and a ban on all visits by family and friends. The new rules mean inmates will be confined to cells for 23 hours a day and allowed out to shower, use payphones if they do not have one in their cell, and to exercise.
Officials have drawn up plans to release thousands of low-risk prisoners early amid concerns about the risk of overcrowding and levels of sickness among prison staff. Campaigners have signed an open letter to the prime minister, justice secretary, home secretary and other ministers to.....
So that’s more pressure on probation who will be required to see all these offenders at probation offices. Every prisoner will be released to attend a probation appointment with an unprotected probation worker, potentially spreading the virus as they go.
DeletePerhaps they should all report to Sonia Flynn’s office! Leaders lead from the front and all that !
I fail to see any logic in moving people from prisons to other Government buildings. It may disperse the prison population, but if they're not being released then the State still owns the obligation to feed, clothe, provide canteen and healthcare facilities etc etc.
DeleteOthers may not agree, but I think that's ideological constipation at its best.
'Getafix
fucking brilliant - "ideological constipation"
DeleteJim has to use that as a blog title!! :)
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-prison-concern-forces-ministers-to-look-for-more-cell-space-fb3pgpbrg
Delete"Coronavirus: Prison concern forces ministers to look for more cell space
Steven Swinford, Deputy Political Editor
Saturday March 28 2020, 12.01am, The Times
Prisons Law
Ministers are preparing to use government buildings as prisons to avoid having to release inmates on short sentences as jails risk being overwhelmed.
Prisons in England and Wales have gone into lockdown, with restrictions on inmates’ movements and a ban on all visits by family and friends. The new rules mean inmates will be confined to cells for 23 hours a day and allowed out to shower, use payphones if they do not have one in their cell, and to exercise.
Officials have drawn up plans to release thousands of low-risk prisoners early amid concerns about the risk of overcrowding and levels of sickness among prison staff. Campaigners have signed an open letter to the prime minister, justice secretary, home secretary and other ministers to call for the government to take “urgent life-saving steps to immediately reduce” the number of people in prison, young offender institutions, secure training and immigration detention centres. Ministers have ruled out the prospect because of concerns that doing so will erode public confidence in the justice system.
Robert Buckland, the justice secretary, is instead considering plans to designate other buildings as new prisons to ensure that inmates are able to follow social distancing guidelines.
The government is looking at turning immigration detention centres into jails as many of those detained are being released because there is no prospect of them being deported. Other buildings could also be converted into prisons.
Some 27 inmates have now tested positive for coronavirus in 14 prisons. The number of cases, which the Ministry of Justice said was accurate as of 1pm on Thursday, had jumped up by eight in 24 hours. This week the department confirmed that two prisoners with the virus had died.
Jails in England and Wales were put on immediate lockdown on Tuesday with all visits cancelled as it emerged thousands of staff were in self-isolation.
Jo Farrar, chief executive of the Prison and Probation Service, told the Commons justice committee that about 4,300 prison and probation staff were self-isolating, of which some 3,500 were prison staff, representing about 10 per cent of the workforce.
The latest figures released by the ministry yesterday confirmed that five prison staff had now tested positive for Covid-19, each in separate jails. CONT..
Getafix - if nowt else your 08:27 & 09:12 posts prove you ought to be recruited as one of Cummings's "weirdos & misfits". In fact, seeing as he's done a runner, literally, maybe you should replace him?
DeleteKeep those posts coming.
CONT. There have been four prisoner escort and custody services staff who have tested positive, as well as eight probation staff. About 50,000 protective masks have been delivered for staff to use and the ban on bringing hand sanitiser into prison has been lifted.
DeleteThe letter to politicians was signed by more than 100 campaigners including Deborah Coles, the director of the charity Inquest. It said: “People in prison are already dying. Many detention settings already have the virus within their walls, with thousands of frontline staff self-isolating.
“Astonishingly, people continue to be processed through a justice system despite the known dangers. A failure to act, and release people now, will result in an increased risk to us all. It is clear that keeping people in prison and detention during this pandemic threatens the lives of prisoners, staff, healthcare workers — and the public health at large.”
END OF TIMES article -
Revisionist bollocks - "Jails in England and Wales were put on immediate lockdown on Tuesday"
DeleteThat's Tuesday 24 March 2020. About 3 weeks too late.
Immigration centres are contracted out to the private sector.
DeleteTurning them into temporary prisons will need alterations to existing contracts and could cost a considerable amount to bring about.
Hundreds if not thousands, of offenders across England are currently being forced to attend probation offices to meet with unprotected probation workers. Many are assessed as high risk, and of offences that are sexual and violent, many have addictions. It is only a matter of time before some commit serious crimes, and while on they journey to and from probation while everyone else is required to stay at home. How will this be justified?
ReplyDeleteThe other concern is how many probation workers will end up in intensive care or worse as a result of putting themselves on the frontline to deliver probation appointments that could easily have been delivered over the phone?
New York Gov Cuomo yesterday "I've called out the National Guard I have said the same thing to you: I promise you I will not ask you to do anything that I will not do myself. And the same is true here. We're going to do this and we're going to do this
ReplyDeleteProbation Institute have signed this today:-
ReplyDelete27 March 2020
INQUEST and Women in Prison have brought together a strong coalition of charities, grassroots organisations and individuals to call on the government to take decisive steps to save lives during this unprecedented public health crisis.
In three hours over 100 signatories have joined the call for the government to immediately reduce the number of people in prison, young offender institutions, secure training centres and immigration detention settings.
Deaths of people in custody are already at a historic high. With more restrictive regimes, suspension of family visits, severe limits on external scrutiny, and additional pressures on physical and mental health care, the COVID-19 outbreak in prisons and detention threatens to escalate this problem on an unprecedented scale.
To the Rt Hon Boris Johnson, MP
DeleteWe, the signatories, call on the Government to take urgent life-saving steps to immediately reduce the number of people in prison, young offender institutions, secure training centres and immigration detention settings. This is for the safety of prisoners, detainees, frontline staff and communities during this unprecedented public health crisis.
Detained people are reliant on the state for their health and safety. It is not possible to follow Government advice on COVID-19 in prison and immigration detention settings. People in prison are already dying. Many detention settings already have the virus within their walls, with thousands of frontline staff self-isolating. Astonishingly, people continue to be processed through a justice system despite the known dangers.
The biggest risk the public is now facing is the battle against COVID-19 and the capacity of health services to meet escalating demand. While the prison service is making plans to store the bodies of prisoners who will die in the coming months, a clear alternative exists: drastically reduce the prison population and save lives both in and outside of prison. A failure to act, and release people now, will result in an increased risk to us all.
The government has a legal and moral obligation to protect the lives of detained persons from a foreseeable danger to their health. Under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights as incorporated by the Human Rights Act, the government has a duty to protect the right to life of those detained. Countries such as Iran, Ireland and several US states (e.g. New York, New Jersey and Ohio) are implementing release plans. The blueprint exists for the UK to follow suit.
Deaths of people in custody are already at a historic high. Investigations into these deaths show that many are preventable, and the result of neglect and systemic failings in care. With more restrictive regimes, suspension of family visits, and severe limits on external scrutiny, and additional pressures on physical and mental health care, the COVID-19 outbreak in prisons and detention threatens to escalate this problem on an unprecedented scale.
It is clear that keeping people in prison and detention during this pandemic threatens the lives of prisoners, staff, healthcare workers - and the public health at large. As we have seen worldwide, coronavirus does not discriminate. It is not prevented by prison gates, borders and walls - if people are not able to self-isolate and receive appropriate care, the virus spreads and kills.
A timely, effectively managed and supported release of people currently in prison and detention settings must begin urgently. Existing resources must be reallocated so that no one is released into destitution or poverty or a lack of health and welfare support.
Such measures could save thousands of lives across the UK.
Yours sincerely,
Deborah Coles, Director of INQUEST
Kate Paradine, CEO of Women in Prison
Lubia Begum-Rob, Director Prisoners Advice Service (PAS)
DeleteNatasha Walter, Director Women for Refugee Women
Emily Bolton, Director APPEAL
Omar Khan, Director Runnymede Trust
Emma Ginn, Director Medical Justice
Asad Rehman, Executive Director War on Want
Sam Smethers, Chief Executive The Fawcett Society
Martha Spurrier, Director Liberty
Sophie Neuburg, Executive Director Medact
Sara Chitseko, Head of Operations and Advocacy The 4FRONT Project
Naomi Delap, Director Birth Companions
Robert Noyes, Campaigner & Researcher Platform London
Wanda Wyporska, Executive Director The Equality Trust
Lisa Dando FRSA, Director BWC (Brighton Women's Centre)
Whitney Iles MSc, CEO Project 507
Satbir Singh, Chief Executive JCWI (Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants)
Sarah Mann, Director Friends Families and Travellers
Chris Minnoch, CEO Legal Aid Practitioners Group
Celia Clarke, Director Bail for Immigration Detainees
Niki Scordi, Chief Executive Advance Charity
Jessica Perera, Researcher Institute of Race Relations
Carolyne Willow, Director Article 39
Joy Doal MBE, CEO Anawim Women Working Together
Lisa Matthews, Coordinator Right to Remain
Richard Garside, Director Centre for Crime and Justice Studies
Natasha Finlayson, Chief Executive Working Chance
Ali McGinley, Director AVID (Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees)
Anna Herrmann, Joint Artistic Director Clean Break
Campbell Robb, CEO Nacro
Gloria Morrison, Campaign Coordinator Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association
Sara Swire, Chief Executive New Dawn New Day
Vicki Cardwell, CEO Spark Inside
Dionne Reid, CEO Women's Work Derbyshire Ltd
Charlotte Weinberg, Director Safe Ground
Imani Robinson, Communications Strategist & Editor Release and TalkingDrugs
Naomi Burke-Shyne, Executive Director Harm Reduction International
Ann Fordham, Executive Director International Drug Policy Consortium
Adnan Siddiqui, Director CAGE
James Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer Transform Drug Policy Foundation
Charlotte Weinberg, Director Safe Ground
Natasha Finlayson, Chief Executive Working Chance
Gloria Morrison, Campaign Coordinator Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association
Lani Parker, Co-Director Sisters of Frida
Zahra Bei, Founder No More Exclusions
Prisoner Solidarity Network
Decrim Now: Campaign for Sex Workers Rights
Bent Bars
Abolitionist Futures
Add the name of your organisation using this online form. https://form.jotform.com/200861645667058
I’m all for reducing prisoners, but as the virus is in prisons this will mean further spreading the virus with every release. The probation institute is incompetent in signing this petition without any though of the unprotected probation workers that will be forced to receive them as well as their families who may not realise the risks they carry.
DeleteMaybe it's the job of the MoJ to give thought to things like that?
DeleteI'm starting to wish Rory Steward was still around.
Deletehttps://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DntzI1xO_-Jo&ved=2ahUKEwiH-fnC9LzoAhX5UBUIHU-jCFwQo7QBMAB6BAgAEAI&usg=AOvVaw31_RixJMxcnvaPP7nOuux6
ReplyDeleteIf only we had leadership like this
ReplyDeleteInformation from a medical website dating back 2 years, so well before any covid19. Thought it might help de-mystify the testing convesation.
ReplyDeleteAntibodies are part of the body's defence (immune) system. Antigens are the particles that cause the body to create an antibody. Tests to detect antibodies and antigens help to identify certain infections and some other medical conditions.
How are antibody tests used? - Tests to detect certain antibodies can help to diagnose some types of infections. However, when you are newly infected with a germ, it takes several days for the level of antibody to rise and to be detected. Therefore, antibody tests are often not useful to diagnose a new infection quickly.
What is an antigen detection test? - Some tests can identify the antigen on the surface of some bacteria and some other germs. These tests can be useful to detect an infecting germ quickly without the need to grow (culture) it, or to see it under a microscope.
Rapid antigen testing - A rapid antigen test is suitable for diagnosing infections in care settings, like GP surgeries and out-of-hours services. It directly detects the presence or absence of an antigen. This is different to other investigations that detect antibodies which take longer for the body to produce.
What is the difference between antibodies and antigens?
Antibodies are small proteins that circulate in the bloodstream. They are part of the body's defence (immune) system and are sometimes called immunoglobulins. They are made by a type of white blood cell (a B lymphocyte). Antibodies attach to proteins and other chemicals in the body, which they recognise to be not normally found in the body ('foreign'). The foreign proteins and chemicals that antibodies attach to are called antigens.
Is Dominic Cummings an ImmunoGoblin? We should be told.
Deletehttps://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/voices/coronavirus-boris-johnson-matt-hancock-positive-test-a9430931.html%3famp
ReplyDelete"Woah woah woah woah, you might say – you’re not actually laughing at Boris Johnson getting the coronavirus, are you? Yes, I’m afraid to report, we are."
Deletehttps://scramnews.com/best-reactions-dominic-cummings-downing-street/
DeleteOr Dominic Goings, as he's now been re-named.
Is the virus moving faster than Dominic Cummings?
ReplyDeleteUSA update 27 March: 85,268 & 1,293 = 1.5% mortality rate
USA today 28 March: 104,256 & 1,704 = 1.6%
Nearly 19,000 new cases detected in 24 hours.
The UK doesn't currently test that many people in a week.
USA now 105,034 & 1,717 - still @ 1.6% mort.rate
DeleteUK now 17,089 & 1,019 - 6.0% m.r
GER now 53,340 & 399 - 0.7% m.r
ESP now 72,248 & 5,690 - 7.8% m.r
ITA now 86,498 & 9,134 - 10.5% m.r
CHN now 81,394 & 3,295 - 4.0% m.r
KOR now 9,478 & 144 - 1.5% m.r
NB: the stats are inevitably flawed. For example the numbers of known cases is a variable based upon each countries' testing & veracity of reporting.
No-one seems be able to present a true picture because of partisan/biased/skewed reports.
Guess who: “I think it is a tribute to our testing, and you don’t know what the numbers are in China. I think it is a tribute to testing, we are testing numbers of people. And I am sure you are not able to tell whether China is testing or not. I think that is a little hard”
Yet at the same time his scientists say: "Since the U.S. still doesn't have enough tests to meet demand, the most immediate action we can take right now is to prioritize who gets tested"
I post these bits & bobs to keep focus on how fast the damned virus is scything through the populations of the world & to emphasise the priority has to be on denying the virus the opportunity to spread via Mobility, Proximity & Density.
Stay Home & Work From Home.
Respect the Two Metre Rule.
Wash Those Hands.
Much clearer info about lockdowns & testing here:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000glnw
(testing starts at 5'15" in)
https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/18342051.barrow-man-caught-washing-car-amid-lockdown-tells-cop-do-one/
ReplyDeletePosting details of the incident on Twitter, PC Latham said: “Travelling through Ulverston and I see a male washing his car in a petrol station.
“When challenged, it was not his smartest move telling me to ‘do one’."
It transpired [the driver] had driven through to Ulverston from Barrow (approx 11 miles) to walk his dog up the Hoad, with his friend who was from another household.
“He continued to not see the seriousness of his actions and so this has gone beyond words of advice from me and has been dealt with accordingly, along with his friend."
If this does not show CJS staff how management consider them to be disposable robots what else will. And as for thanks there is no choice given its do it or be disciplined. The post on the arguments they would use against staff is so accurate. They would twist it to be our fault if we became ill or even died to absolve responsibility. They love the language of business and treat staff in accordance with 'business needs'.
ReplyDeleteYou all need to get over yourselves. Jim posting distaste as divisional directors got shout outs. Blasting of management. Mocking emails sent out by top brass. Attacking Ian and NAPO HQ. You're all armchair warriors quick to attack and think you know best. Coal face, management, top brass and ivory tower all in this battle. I'm sick of all those finger pointing. Many like the problem and not the solution
ReplyDelete"At a time of national crisis I certainly will not be drawn into any wrangling about union politics - the only important issue is the protection of staff, clients and the public and that has absolute top priority. Now I suggest you all grow up and focus on that very simple aim."
DeleteWhich bit of this do you not understand Anon 12:28?
Then stop directing and facilitating targeting and focus on your clear problem with authority
DeleteThis blog is full of snowflakes lol glad you're here 12.28 to shake this tree hard
DeleteAnon 13:25 "Then stop directing and facilitating targeting and focus on your clear problem with authority."
DeleteThis blog provides a platform for people to air their views and concerns - some might have legitimate concerns about authority - you clearly do not and therfore the floor is yours to expand on that, either as a guest blog piece or here in the comments section.
Trust and respect is earned. It dosen't come with the job automatically, and demanding that others should not express their opinions because they don't align with your own, is a surefire way to cause further fractures and lose respect.
DeletePlease debate. Don't demand.
Management have had no consistent plan to protect staff as the primary. Napo did their usual and copied the suggestions from this blog. I am not decrying just pointing out both should have Agreed a plan on health of staff and then closed up to use electronic offender monitoring.
DeleteDo tell us what the solution is according to you.
ReplyDeleteWe trust in the advice from Ivory Tower, to Brass, to ma management to coal face and deliver to core values even in the most desperate time we are ALL in!
DeleteTrust. I think that's misplaced given the health findings out there. Trust is in our own abilities to evaluate from reliable sources the risk posed to us and others then make considerations as to what should be appropriate or not. I could say more but I'm sure others don't want these types of entries on the blog and won't get pulled in to it any further than to say to label people keyboard warriors when you post as anonymous yourself is a tad cheeky dontchathink.
DeleteAnd Jim posting as jim is a tad cheeky dontchathink . I'm an ex employee not CSWQ qualified!
DeleteAnon... just a reflection, have u ever been on the receiving end of a ‘business need’? For those staff who have been subjected to the hostile culture of management disguised as ‘business need’ forgive us if we remain sceptical or suspicious to this ‘we are all in it together’ mantra that seems to have raised its head now. Sadly, we’ve not seen any Managers volunteer to put themselves on rotas to see released prisoners, or to accompany staff to do the ‘doorstep calls’, so forgive us if we don’t share the optimism that we feel valued, respected or listened to. When our SPOs say they share our despair about the ‘EDM’, but the reply comes ‘it still stands’ what point is there in having a ‘professional opinion’ when the business needs not for its workers.
DeleteYou answered the question already. Business need is the need of the business. Employee need is something different. I've been on the end of many business need decisions as have every working adult. Sometimes I dont like it and I decided to leave when my then SPO didn't give me flexi working. Some people in the supermarkets are seeing thousands a day as opposed to a handful a week if all you seeing is releasing prisoners. Sometime the only answer is that it is wot it is
DeleteEven supermarkets now have gloves, masks, gel and screens. They can also shop early and have discount cards. Probation have a JFDI instruction and are currently expected to fall ill. Not that we’re comparing.
Delete... additionally, it is not necessary for offenders to attend probation offices. The business need is nil.
Delete"it is wot it is" Really?
DeleteUK now 17,089 cases & 1,019 deaths = 6.0% m.r
That equates to a possible 1+m people dying.
Unless we do something.
I post these bits & bobs to keep focus on how fast the damned virus is scything through the populations of the world & to emphasise the priority has to be on denying the virus the opportunity to spread via Mobility, Proximity & Density.
Stay Home & Work From Home.
Respect the Two Metre Rule.
Wash Those Hands.
If you want to sacrifice yourself for someone else's business need which compromises those basic protections, go right ahead.
Don't selfishly impose your choice upon others when they've made a different choice.
Want to take your own life? I'm fine with that, but don't walk in front of a train & traumatise the train driver; don't drive into oncoming traffic; don't jump off a motorway bridge.
Sorry Jim. I'm cross. Feel free to delete if all I'm doing is fuelling the fire.
Anonymous28 March 2020 at 15:57 You have hit the nail on the head. Probation is full of bullying managers and the staff have been demoralised and manipulated for years. Many believe they have to go in and have no alternative. Many are agency temps who fear non-payment if they do not comply. Probation directors are actually stating in writing “you must come to work and you will get sick”.
DeleteThe reality is that is everyone just refused on the basis of health and safety then probation directors would move to full telephone reporting instead. They would have no choice.
Anon 15:57 Please continue posting factual information as I'm sure many readers will find it useful, along with other contributions, in order to inform their own decisions regarding their employment and safety issues.
DeleteWhat is PPE? seriously. Gloves carry germs. Masks don't work. Have you read the research on how long the virus lives in the air, plastics, metal and cardboard.If we are going to get it we are going to get it. Even if my boss gave me all that stuff, it wouldn't make a single difference.i believe all offices should be closed. Everyone should be at home. But we all cannot be as we do something for society that is unique and we should all be proud of that
DeleteTo add. I don't feel great about going in but if we was to close or just do phone reporting, then what do you suggest we do with those maps 3s. High risks etc etc . I'd welcome debate if someone can convince me there is an alternative that can be done
DeleteThe PPE does offer protection which is why the NHS use them. PPF3 masks are what’s required, gloves, suits and hand gel. That said, probation will not provide this and the offices should be closed. For the poster commenting on what to do with high risk and Mappa cases, frankly this is not our problem. I do not believe travelling to an appointment 1x per week as opposed to a phone call is going to significantly prevent crime. Offenders should not travel and staff should not be at work.
Delete16.32 so your saying probation doesn't work if you are saying 1x a week appointment does not prevent crime. I would have to disagree. The research would disagree too? You have not convinced me but made my blood boil with that statement
DeleteI am saying it is not necessary to choose face to face appointments over telephone reporting. There is no evidence to say one would increase crime over the other. In fact, telephone reporting maintains the relationships, it can be increased to more than 1x per week, and in these circumstances does not put either party at risk. But go on and ignore me, believe in your imaginary research, and continue to be a blind sheep, which is exactly what probation management relies on.
DeleteA useful article that may assist.
Deletehttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/25/how-long-coronavirus-lasts-on-surfaces-packages-groceries
In essence, the virus has to be intact to be viable. The surface affects the viability - but that assumes no cleaning or handwashing or other barriers are in use, e.g. PPE.
"Dr Akiko Iwasaki: The US FDA [Food and Drug Administration] has a list of home cleaning products (see links below) that are known to kill Covid-19. This virus is an enveloped virus so it doesn’t survive well in soap and alcohol."
WASH YOUR HANDS.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Fcleaning-disinfection.html
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf
14.19 have you any recent experience of working for Probation. If not you are not qualified to speculate on how it is for current employees or how it regularly is for many. Generally we loathe being tied up with pointless typing and emails and oasys and hate the lack of time we have left! to actually see offenders face to face. Our employers have increased the desk work and now saying for a lot of us you can't work from home when the majority of the work is sadly computer based. And by the way we are not a business we are an organisation no matter what you are happy to believe.
DeleteMore info here:
Deletehttps://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/covid-19/select-effective-disinfectants-use-against-coronavirus-causes-covid-19
What type of virus is COVID-19?
Viruses can be generally categorized into three groups by virus structure. This affects the effectiveness of disinfectants in killing the viruses.
* Enveloped viruses are easiest to kill. (An example is Influenza A Virus.)
* Large, non-enveloped viruses are more difficult to kill. (An example is Rotavirus.)
* Small, non-enveloped viruses are hardest to kill. (Examples are Rhinovirus and Norovirus.)
Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak, is an enveloped virus meaning it is one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant product.
WASH YOUR HANDS AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN.
Interesting little snippet here. Unpaid? Surely not?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.building.co.uk/news/former-interserve-boss-drafted-in-to-lead-covid-19-testing-programme/5105261.article
'Getafix
Debbie White to set up network of testing centres across the UK
DeleteThe former boss of Interserve has been recruited by the government to set up a network of testing centres around the UK as part of the fight against the covid-19 outbreak.
Debbie White, who served as Interserve’s chief executive between 2017 and 2019, will lead the programme in an unpaid role.
It is understood that the scheme will test key workers including prison and police officers, but not NHS staff.
Testing centres will be set up in locations around the country, though a spokesperson for BEIS said “it’s mainly about testing rather than physical sites.”
The role has been created to coordinate what will likely be a long-running nationwide programme, with the number of infected people suspected to be many times the number that have so far been detected.
Recent research by Oxford university estimated that up to half of the population of the UK could already be infected, although the number of confirmed cases is still under 15,000.
White joined Interserve in 2017 after working for Sodexo for 13 years, with her most recent role at the Paris-based food services and facilities management firm being its chief executive officer of global healthcare and global government.
White was drafted in to run Interserve amid the fallout of a botched attempt to enter the energy-from-waste sector which cost the firm hundreds of millions of pounds.
If unpaid then credit where it's due, although I have no doubt there will be rewards later, and I hope that Debbie White oversees a far better co-ordinated and efficient delivery than ever experienced in relation to the facilities management contracts.
DeletePress Release 28th March 2020 Criminal Justice workers Union (CJWU)
ReplyDeleteThe CJWU has been contacted by many staff that work for Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service, who over the last couple of days have been contacted by their employer advising them to return to work or face their pay being stopped.
These people are those staff that fall into the NHS’s identified increased risk group. They include pregnant workers, those over 70 years old and staff with serious underlying medical conditions, whom the Government have advised to strictly follow social distancing guidance in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus.
Additionally, staff who have caring responsibilities or who live with family members who are considered at increased risk, with serious underlying medical conditions, or who require shielding, are being forced to attend work and place family members at increased risk of contracting Covid-19 through their increased risk of exposure at work.
The CJWU does not believe these staff should be made to choose between protecting their health with potentially fatal consequences or face pay being stopped. We condemn this irresponsible and flawed policy.
The CJWU calls on leaders in the Criminal Justice system to re-evaluate its current policies, and protect vulnerable staff and their family members, without the pressure to make a choice between being paid or carrying and spreading a virus that could lead to fatal consequences.
The CJWU stands ready to work with all employers in the sector, to find workable solutions in order to make policies more considerate and designed to protect and preserve life as an essential priority.
It’s a pity they didn’t add what many are ignoring, that probation is making offenders and released prisoners travel to probation appointments. Many could be sick, as could the staff, and being forced to go into work (many using public transport) to meet offenders in probation offices where there is no PPE and no social distancing.
DeleteIf a country is in lockdown with police powers etc, then with very rare exceptions, surely telephone contact for those under supervision will suffice for the interim? No-one can leave their house except for defined, essential reasons and as such the environmental opportunities for crime won't be present in the majority of cases, e.g. opportunistic theft, pub fights. Burglaries will probably continue, but with fewer people at work there will be a greater risk of someone being in.
ReplyDeleteDependency issues will continue - an appointment with probation won't solve that; indeed it might just allow them to the excuse to meet up with a dealer ("I've a probation appointment, you can't stop me going to X").
If people choose to break the lockdown then any amount of face-to-face appointments won't change that.
DV/DA cases will be perhaps the greatest concern if perpetrators remain in a household with victims/new partners/children.
Sex offenders will be online whether there's a lockdown or not. They'll have far fewer opportunities to groom extended family members, or neighbours' children.
Interesting that in South Africa they have imposed a ban on the sale of alcohol during lockdown. Smart move. That will save a lot of lives.
The few remaining cases that merit & deserve weekly face-to-face monitoring (because there WILL be some) could most likely be accommodated with a volunteer force of managers & frontline staff one day a week at a designated location, e.g. a probation office only where the premises/facilities are suitable, and PPE & specialist cleaning services are available.
All this could have been prepared for over the last few weeks & implemented at the start of this week as the viral load in the country starts to trend towards its steepest part of the curve.
Then none of the shitty comments would need to have been exchanged on this blog-site, people would feel safe & management would be trusted.
This is what nobody understands. Why the need to give permission for offender to breach the lockdown simply to attend a 10 minute appointment at probation. It does not make sense at all.
Delete.... that said, maybe the plan is to kill off all the offenders by exposing them to the virus. Sadly, probation workers are simply collateral damage.
DeleteTravelling to meet someone for 10 mins F2F is ridiculous. Far better (and safer) to do meaningful work over the phone or videocall with an Officer they have a RELATIONSHIP with. Whilst Snr Management insist on the current EDM and Middle Management refuse to break rank, staff will be harmed... now that’s risk assessment. I suggest those that ask us to do it, should get in the hole with us, instead of shouting from the top down and sharing insipid applause on twitter. Who is your audience on there?
DeleteTwitter is where all the probation directors pat each other on the back (from the comfort of their homes as they ARE observing social distancing).
DeleteUSA post rolling data regarding their covid-19 cases:
ReplyDeleteUS are now at 113,677 cases & 1,903 deaths
8,500+ new cases & almost 200 deaths in 2 hours.
US ***half an hour*** later:
Delete116,057 (+2,380) cases & 1,937 (+34) deaths
Ok, I'll give it a rest for a while.
But hopefully the severity of the spread is clear from the rolling data. It makes it perhaps easier to grasp than a daily figure that is beyond comprehension.
Oh dear more grandstanding please get real unions and wannabes union Mr Rolfe. All you need is a written risk assessment process published on the blog. Where risk can't be resolved in writing under the assesment tools then it cannot be safe to deploy staff. Staff can legitimately refuse to work in an environment that poses above usual risks of harm . Same vein that Napo have not got the confidence to issue a no work instruction to all members in a non assessed workplace this nothing off is just as inafectual. Also Napo has recognition rights to some degree and is able to engage employers . Mr Rolfe and crew just an interested voice. I am sure Mr Gillan won't lose sleep over you either.he should call for stoppages too but probably too scared.
ReplyDeleteExactly that. All probation can refuse to work on the basis of health, safety and risk to life. This is valid at EVERY probation office where 2m social distancing is not possible, or has not been confirmed as achievable, and also where sufficient office hygiene and staff protection cannot be achieved. Napo and unions can make the decision for staff.
DeleteSo you ste saying down tools? Does the same apply to NHS workers treating the ill? Police officers no longer arresting people? Someone acting out cos they didn't get a clap?.. we are front kind keyworkers! No one has PPE
ReplyDeleteProbation is not an emergency service. Offenders do not have to attend probation offices. Please do not compare probation to the police and the NHS, they are not the same. In fact we need to support those service by keeping probation workers and offenders at home and off the streets.
DeleteI'm exhausted from all this. I dont know what we are meant to do during all this
DeleteYes me too. We've been round in a complete circle and I'm drawing a line under this by turning commenting off until tomorrow. We all deserve a break and an opportunity to sleep on things. Night all.
DeleteOne positive mention is the many probation workers that have volunteered to support the NHS. Everybody I know that has, did so because it was their choice. The is the point that probation directors fail to understand.
DeleteGood call Jim, I'm gone too, no disrespect to anyone
ReplyDeleteUS exceeds 2,000 deaths (still at 1.6% mort.rate)
ReplyDeleteI'm aware this will only appear when comments are back on but felt it was important to write it tonight before I forgot. They're facts. It can wait. Thank you Jim Brown for giving people the space to express views, however wearisome it can be at times.
ReplyDeleteThis virus has a voracious appetite. Give it what it wants & it knows how to party...
1 Mar 2020: The US has reported 89 known cases and the first death from the new coronavirus in the country, in the state of Washington.
1 Mar: USA 89 cases & 1 death
26 Mar @ approx. 9pm GMT: USA 80,854 cases, 1,163 deaths
28 Mar @ approx 10pm GMT: USA 120,529 cases, 2,008 deaths
29 Mar: anyone in HMPPS want to hazard a guess?
29 Mar @ 6am BST (7 hrs later)
DeleteUS: 123,750 (+3,221)cases, 2,227 (+1064) deaths
Mortality Rate now at 1.8%, up by 0.2%
NB: rise of 0.2% over 123,750 = extra 247 deaths
THIS escalating rate of infection & death is exactly why HMPPS/NPS/CRCs need to get their shit together FAST!
The last two week's pissing about arguing the toss over control & command issues, who's got the biggest dick or who's got the scariest cases will already have provided untold AVOIDABLE opportunity for this virus to spread because of X appointments kept at probation offices. And that spread will equate to deaths somewhere in the next two or three weeks.
The deaths of staff, those subject to supervision, &/or members of their families/households.
I'm done. I'm tired. I'm angry. I know they know. I know they're not interested. But I don't know why. Cogito ergo sum miser.
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The research and analysis conducted within the ministry includes:
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So where are you all now? When it matters?