Napo 2023 Conference and AGM

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A few highlights from Napo Conference Day 1

This year Napo members converged upon the University of Nottingham for the 111th Annual General Meeting. With storm clouds gathering in the guise of storm Storm Babet – Nottingham is in the Amber Warning Zone - the mood amongst the assembled delegates was subdued. The usual wait for quoracy took 20mins possibly because the conference now relies upon online participants to login to an app. Many of course may have lost interest in waiting for 20 minutes (with work time pressures) but early joiners were unexpectedly able to listen in to a live audio feed from the top table that included some illuminating comments not intended for broadcast. oops.

With quoracy established and the mood already sombre General Secretary, Ian Lawrence took to the podium to deliver a diplomatically even-handed statement from the TUC regarding the Hamas–Israeli war. There was a condemnation of Hamas and the collective punishment of Palestinians. The TUC calls for an immediate ceasefire. Warning about the impending humanitarian disaster and a plea to open humanitarian corridors. Solidarity with all working people through the auspices of the ITUC. This was a timely reminder that Napo is part of a wider trade union network that connects working people throughout the world including in Gaza and Israel.

Next came Helen Banners address as current Chair of Napo. She spoke about the relentless mindless churn that probation has become. When will it stop? New faces come and go. Maintaining the toxic culture. Helen spoke about a client that had changed but that was some time ago when the probation landscape was a little more conducive to working with people meaningfully. Finally, Helen spoke about probation being embedded in and serving local communities which now sounds like a novel radical idea in contrast to the machinations of prison-controlled HMPPS with their dastardly One HMPPS plotting.

Next the incomparable Jeanne Peall. No Napo conference would be complete without the head of steering adding a bit of much-needed levity to proceedings. My personal favourite is the warning light and bell demonstration – superb comic timing. Fans will have observed that this year she was sporting some funky yellow-tinted glasses to cope with the glare of the lights – please turn the darn things down!! It is usually fun with microphones etc

Sonia Flynn was up next promoting the Probation Exhibition. I am not entirely sure about the timing of this exhibition as the MoJ seems intent on the Borg-like assimilation of the probation service into the prison service. Is this the end of probation exhibition? Anyway, thanks for doing this Sonia – very interesting.

Next up was supposed to be the present Chief Probation Officer, HMPPS, Kim Thornden-Edwards but she was unavoidably elsewhere at an enquiry.

Next up were speakers Liz Sackville-Roberts MP and Lord Fred Ponsonby who are the Co-Chairs of the Justice Unions Parliamentary Group. Fred spoke about recognising the constant churn regarding the change in probation (churn was arguably the word of the day) He then spoke about his holiday in the US in Oregon where drug liberalisation has been a disaster. Not sure if there are many lessons to be learned from the US. Those working in probation might be thinking that more can perhaps be learned from our European neighbours who are closing prisons or hiring them out to less enlightened jurisdictions such as ours. Fred mentioned Labour has no plans to stop prison building reminding us that Labour need to adopt a bit more of an enlightened bucket of policies to improve upon Alex Chalk’s best efforts. 88,000 in prison and rising. Fred ended his contribution stating that there was an urgent need for a far-reaching approach to managing down numbers. Yep, no argument there but not of course without substantial investment in probation. Fred was polite. Some might wryly observe that with a General Election fast approaching Labour needs to grab the bull by the horns and learn from the success of jurisdictions that have ‘managed down the numbers’ without breaking the bank.

Liz Sackville-Roberts MP reminded us that interesting things have been going on in justice in Wales which is a prison disaster area with the highest imprisonment rate in Europe unfortunately demonstrating in microcosm Westminster policies applied in a microcosm. However, the devolved Welsh model, that the redoubtable Su McConnel has done so much to help develop, really does seem to be the way forward. You simply have to follow some of the savvy/smarter/ambitious people in HMPPS to know that Su et al are certainly on to something promising as there is some heavyweight jockeying for positions going on with rumours that justice devolution might be on the cards. Devolution plus an overhaul of probation – not too shabby compared to the government’s shambles. Liz broke conference protocol by endorsing the motion. ‘Out of Westminster, out of the civil service, separate from prisons: Probation in Wales can show a better way. Yes, yes, yes and yes. Thanks.

Motion highlights included a motion from Kent Surrey Sussex and London Branch ‘Failing to Support Neurodiverse Staff’ with moving speeches from Napo stalwart Richard Clark and others including a woman with personal experience of discrimination during training. These all highlighted severe difficulties that the probation service has in fulfilling its claims to be a disability-aware and equal opportunities employer – it is not a fit employer in this respect. Perhaps it will take some employment tribunals to prompt action to address this.

A motion by the London Branch concerning ‘Duty of Care’ suggested legal action in respect of the employer’s failings in its duty of care due to staff shortages. It was not the first or last time that the infamous Workload Management Tool was mentioned. ‘Dangerous workloads due to increasing workloads from Thames Valley Branch touched some raw nerves with some examples of staff being placed under intolerable pressure. ‘The Workload Management Tool’ (WMT) motion from The Mercia Branch called for the tool to be reviewed particularly its use in wider decision-making.

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TUC General Council Statement on Gaza and Israel

The TUC is deeply concerned by the escalating violence and unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel. We support the UN call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Middle East and strongly urge the international community to make all efforts to ensure that international law is upheld and all civilians are protected.

The TUC has unequivocally condemned the brutal attacks and murder of Israeli civilians by Hamas. We call for the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages unharmed.

Neither the killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas nor the collective punishment of the people of Gaza by the Israeli government will do anything to end the occupation or bring about peace.

The TUC sends our solidarity to all Israelis and Palestinians who have been affected by this appalling violence and our condolences to those who have lost family and friends. We are alarmed by the escalation in antisemitism and anti-Muslim racism and oppose those who are using these events to stir up division in the UK. The TUC stands in solidarity with all working people, their friends, families and communities and opposes any attempt to divide us.

The current siege of Gaza, which comes on top of a 16-year air, sea and land blockade, has cut off food, water, electricity and fuel supplies. This is leading to a humanitarian disaster. The UN has stated that such measures amount to a form of collective punishment which is prohibited under the Fourth Geneva Convention. We call on the UK government and international community to support the opening of humanitarian corridors and to facilitate access to humanitarian aid and stand in solidarity with emergency and humanitarian workers.

The health system in Gaza has been described as at “breaking point” by the World Health Organisation. Hospitals are rationing electricity and there is an acute shortage of medical supplies. People across Gaza already have severely limited access to clean drinking water. Gazans who work in Israel have been prevented from returning home and some have been transferred to the West Bank, after being physically assaulted and their personal belongings confiscated.

The TUC is appalled by the destruction of Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, which killed hundreds of patients, healthcare workers and families that had been seeking refuge in and around the hospital.

We support a road to a just peace in Israel and Palestine. UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has acknowledged that, “This most recent violence does not come in a vacuum. The reality is that it grows out of a long-standing conflict, with a 56-year long occupation and no political end in sight.”

The TUC has long-standing democratically agreed policy in relation to Palestine and Israel. We have long called for an end to the military occupation of Palestinian territory and the blockade of Gaza, and respect for all Palestinian rights including the right to self-determination and the right to return.

The TUC urges the UK government and parliamentarians across the political spectrum and in all four nations to support genuine efforts towards a just, comprehensive and lasting peace that is consistent with international law, including ending settlement expansion, and is based on a two-state solution, which promotes equality, democracy and respect for human and labour rights. And we will continue to work closely with, and through, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to support efforts to secure this lasting peace.