tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post1040947050491727197..comments2024-03-28T20:12:43.003+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: RIP OM Part 1 Jim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-4713950279421943492014-01-06T13:35:51.994+00:002014-01-06T13:35:51.994+00:00Having worked in a local prison for 5 years - prob...Having worked in a local prison for 5 years - probation has no power whatsoever over prison transfers. When I intervened with a receiving prison to alert them to the fact that of the bus load on the way to them a couple needed either rolling Sex Offender Treatment programme or Adapted SOTP (now Becoming New Me) so should not be being transferred to them, I was shouted at and verbally abused over the telephone by prison colleague in OCA overseeing this transfer from the prison I worked at. There was then this big secret enterprise about OCA not telling me about future transfers so it didn't happen again. However I still found out as the inmates would tell me! <br /><br />Security concerns always over ride everything in prison workings - take legal visits at most prisons as there is usually a delay in prisoner getting to the visit even if you get there on time and no delay geting thourgh security. <br /><br />There simply are not enough places on offending behaviour programmes in prison to make this work as the even on a shortish prison sentence an inmate will be at a local prison, then training prison and if lucky enough then a resettlement unit. So that makes a minimum of 2-3 prisons so 2-3 OMs plus the community OM on release?? Where is the incentive to engage with community OM?? And parole boards will only have the seconded PO report to base release decisions on??<br /><br />KathAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-89198448641976689542014-01-04T21:55:55.587+00:002014-01-04T21:55:55.587+00:00Bloody hell. Probation staff are being priced out ...Bloody hell. Probation staff are being priced out at every turn. All these pilots they are doing, but they can't pilot TR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-68178098592972250602014-01-04T21:12:33.174+00:002014-01-04T21:12:33.174+00:00Unbelievable!!!
Pre-Sentence restorative Justice ...Unbelievable!!!<br /><br />Pre-Sentence restorative Justice Pilot Volunteering<br /><br />Victim Support are the national charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected across England and Wales. We also speak out as a national voice for victims and witnesses and campaign for change. We are now recruiting for a groundbreaking Restorative Justice pilot programme in partnership with Restorative Solutions and working closely with the Ministry of Justice and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). This is a unique and exciting opportunity to take part in a path-finding project based in Bristol Crown Court, working with both victims and perpetrators of serious acquisitive and violent crime. Successful applicants will be facilitating pre-sentencing conferences as part of the Criminal Justice System and taking responsibility for case management, risk assessment of case handling and decision making as to whether cases go to Restorative Justice conferencing or case closure. It is expected that successful candidates will take on a new case every month over an initial 12 month period.<br /><br />About Victim Support<br />Victim Support is dedicated to meeting the needs of victims and witnesses of crime in the world. Victim Support helps with all kinds of crime, including the most serious. This includes supporting people affected by homicide, rape and sexual assualt.Volunteers visit victims of crime in their own homes and provide victims with support, advice and information to assist them to come to terms with the practical, social and emotional impact of crime.<br /><br />What are they looking for?<br />This role will include: Negotiation and facilitation within the Criminal Justice System Completing aftercare and follow up support to both perpetrators and injured parties Producing reports for the courts to consider in pre-sentencing stages of Criminal Justice Evaluation and debriefing with partner agencies Working within national standards set for restorative justice work No previous restorative justice experience is necessary, but the following skills and personal qualities would be an advantage: Knowledge or experience of supporting vulnerable people Empathy, negotiation and conflict resolution skills Commitment to working with prisoners, ex-prisoners and victims of crime Willing to work within our values, procedures and policies. Flexibility in when you work events could be days, evenings or weekends.Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-92077661058589284742014-01-04T19:10:49.562+00:002014-01-04T19:10:49.562+00:00Here we go...
'This role will include: Negot...Here we go... <br /><br />'This role will include: Negotiation and facilitation within the Criminal Justice System Completing aftercare and follow up support to both perpetrators and injured parties Producing reports for the courts to consider in pre-sentencing stages of Criminal Justice...'<br /><br />http://www.do-it.org.uk/search/opportunities/2041198/pre-sentence-restorative-justice-pilot-volunteering <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-71821531723314554982014-01-04T18:56:55.058+00:002014-01-04T18:56:55.058+00:00I wonder if the plan is for this to be got rid of ...I wonder if the plan is for this to be got rid of too eventually. <br /><br />Over the past few months I have been reading up about the Pre-Sentence Restorative Justice Pathfinder Projects planned in Bristol, Manchester etc. It was interesting to see an advert asking for volunteers to be involved in this project, volunteers whose role would include facilitating RJ then preparing a written report to the Courts with sentencing proposals... <br /><br />If I can find the link I will post it later. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-33990008132524393632014-01-04T13:16:26.514+00:002014-01-04T13:16:26.514+00:00If more POs r going into prison, how wil other NPS...If more POs r going into prison, how wil other NPS staff cope with number of FDRs & SDRs. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-81142278140439487932014-01-04T13:07:35.409+00:002014-01-04T13:07:35.409+00:00I have often found from attending level 2 MAPPA me...I have often found from attending level 2 MAPPA meetings that info from prison OS if often my OASys regurgitated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-89622669809034717222014-01-04T10:48:23.640+00:002014-01-04T10:48:23.640+00:00How often do prisoners move jails throughout their...How often do prisoners move jails throughout their sentence (particularly the ones that are more difficult to manage)? More often than the OM is changed I would bet. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-974826741162619482014-01-04T08:46:21.261+00:002014-01-04T08:46:21.261+00:00Two distict groups run prisons, prisoners and the ...Two distict groups run prisons, prisoners and the OCA not governors....shanghai ing POs in order to cover up the already huge gaps in service provision is a sticking plaster on a broken leg syndrome....and of course will not work but things not working has never stopped NOMS beforeWithin these wallsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-25075767182558088282014-01-04T08:08:52.625+00:002014-01-04T08:08:52.625+00:00I couldn't agree more, this is the end game fo...I couldn't agree more, this is the end game for public service probation as surely NPS roles will reduce under this model and community supervision will eventually become a CRC function ( by this time the CRC model will be fully operational and "capable" of then taking over high risk offenders). Read the writing on the wall colleagues, this has always been the plan we have been lambs to the slaughter. Go to CRC's whilst you can or accept you will work for the prisons for a short time until "the model" can be further developed to kill public service probation. It will take a really serious incident before this will be reconsidered and God help the hapless staff involved because you will be blamed not this crap Government or Grayling and his master plan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-69494058195946933472014-01-04T07:13:26.825+00:002014-01-04T07:13:26.825+00:00If such a fundamental feature of the "busines...If such a fundamental feature of the "business" and "no major tangible change in resources" why put on hold? Because once the CRCs are effectively (or ineffectively) 'running the show' they will absorb the community supervision role while the custody PO role disappears and re-emerges as something quite different and significantly cheaper. How to kill a service dead with two very hard rocks. I don't know whether to laugh or cry anymore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-59846781985646089962014-01-03T23:36:34.758+00:002014-01-03T23:36:34.758+00:00i'd rather play opener against aus for england...i'd rather play opener against aus for england cricket team than go to hmps conditionsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-4660122876113404812014-01-03T23:32:58.960+00:002014-01-03T23:32:58.960+00:00i had a hoot of an experience with gov grade staff...i had a hoot of an experience with gov grade staff at a hi secure gaol where it took 5 years to get a csc prisoner properly relocated into a secure hospital. Noone wanted to know, he was violent and "needed punishing". A public stand up row and £9k of assessment eventually achieved justice. My name is poo at that gaol. Maybe that's my expression of interest?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-48788388049419429922014-01-03T21:05:12.664+00:002014-01-03T21:05:12.664+00:00I have worked in a high risk team for six years un...I have worked in a high risk team for six years under the OM Phase 2 and 3 models. The proposals identify one key point, the lack of standing ( respect ?) for probation staff among prison management especially governor grade. This is the main reason for the failure of the current model and the thought that a performance manager post will be created really chills me, staff will be driven to deliver when they have no influence over resources.I have had some positive experiences with prison officer offender supervisors but also some really negative ones - especially in parole cases where prison staff can not distinguish between compliant prison behaviour and risk in the community. On numerous occasions I have struggled to get information about a prisoner relevant to risk assessment from the prison even at MAPPA Level 3. The only sanction is a letter sent to a governor by a MAPPA chair after the meeting ! Probation officers transferring to the NPS ( and yes I am one) should be really fearful of this new proposal. It looks to me that this is where the buck will stop or put another way, where the blame will be placed on each and every occasion. Prisoners will be encouraged to put in apps to see the seconded PO rather than Prison Officers, thus transferring one of the main sources of complaints made by prisoners. Also, where will the redundancies come from once this has been implemented and prison staff prove cheaper than probation staff in this role? Yup, that'll be us.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-75956613162765264152014-01-03T19:43:45.721+00:002014-01-03T19:43:45.721+00:00I am quite alarmed by these 'suggestions' ...I am quite alarmed by these 'suggestions' to the NOMS board. Whilst I agree we need to examine how to do things differently in prisons, much of this suggests not only a misunderstanding of probation but rehabilitation generally. Throughcare has significance. As a practitioner based in the community, I approach the role in the belief that my involvement demonstrates that the community has a direct investment in the resettlement process. I worry we might lose something very important here if this develops into prisons becoming even more insular.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-24867843065795430392014-01-03T19:20:07.780+00:002014-01-03T19:20:07.780+00:00Beginning to brick it now. Realised I will end up ...Beginning to brick it now. Realised I will end up underalot of mental strain whether I am based in community or in prison. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-37862372644401324252014-01-03T16:12:10.913+00:002014-01-03T16:12:10.913+00:00I hope this does not end up with probation officer...I hope this does not end up with probation officers in uniforms. Once upon a time didn't Napo oppose the secondment of probation officers to prisons? More changes to be achieved at nil cost. What's needed is an analysis, an understanding why joined-up working between probation and prisons is so problematic. Why have all previous collaborative initiatives generally failed? Why have prisons reduced their numbers of seconded probation officers in the past few years? I suppose it was the easiest way for prisoners governors to make cuts? Why do probation officers, in the main, not clamour to work in prisons. In fact notification of a proposed secondment usually triggers a grievance. Why are prisons often seen as lousy places to work? On the other hand, you worry about some probation officers who take to it so well that you wonder about them becoming 'institutionalised'. Prisons, in my experience, tend to look inwards, the prevailing ethos is one of custody, not rehabilitation. Prisons don't see themselves as responsible for what happens after someone is released and this mindset influences the allocation of resources within prisons. <br /><br />Look at the training disparities between your average probation and prison officer. Rehabilitation type work is hard and thankless. However, it requires conscientious and professional staff who care about community outcomes for all affected parties. In my experience staff of this calibre like a bit of autonomy and power, they like to focus on effective rehabilitation and they get disenchanted by the petty small-mindedness and bureaucracy that can be evident in prisons. Look at how difficult it is for prisoners to maintain relationships. And the recent vindictive embargo on receiving gifts at Christmas only serves to emphasise that the more you make an environment punitive, the more obstacles you put in the way of rehabilitation. Prisons need to become more humanitarian. Until resettlement is seen to be as important as custody, new initiatives will be nothing more that rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic. Netnippernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-40586171424578630222014-01-03T16:00:45.116+00:002014-01-03T16:00:45.116+00:00My personal view is that what goes on in prison ha...My personal view is that what goes on in prison has always been vitally important, and it annoyed me for years when probationers on licence were frequently short changed with regards to access to support services on release, funding being ring fenced for community sentences (ie DRR's). Interestingly, CG' s missive yesterday hinted at the NPS working differently in the future- perhaps he had this in mind? I'm all for more PO's in prison, however to achieve what is being suggested will require staff to be directed I would imagine. Fine if you're fairly local to a prison - however CG has just closed my nearest prison and reassigned another as an immigration holding centre. Any prison placement for me would require a bit of a hike.....Also I note the above paper talked of PO's being employed the same as prison staff - am presuming this would mean the post wouldn't be a secondment with the extra pay supplement it currently enjoys?<br />DebAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-7815102199536425192014-01-03T15:15:52.748+00:002014-01-03T15:15:52.748+00:00All this does is prove that NOMS and HMP still hav...All this does is prove that NOMS and HMP still have no comprehension of what Probation in the community is about. This tome is all about what goes on IN a prison and not where it matters: in the community.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-24124333740178869922014-01-03T15:12:30.608+00:002014-01-03T15:12:30.608+00:00Bet he didn't know what they did either!Bet he didn't know what they did either!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-62319036542949909132014-01-03T12:28:45.696+00:002014-01-03T12:28:45.696+00:00Regular readers will note two things , 1.Michael S...Regular readers will note two things , 1.Michael Spurrs commitment to keeping the seconded probation staff in prison and with this the change 2. the mix of staff between CRC and NPS , which has moved from 70:30 to nearer 50:50. <br />So this has been on the cards a while - another clear message who is running the show HMPS!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-39453023160454292532014-01-03T11:47:24.784+00:002014-01-03T11:47:24.784+00:00I think a few commenters have missed the key point...I think a few commenters have missed the key point - this will actually entail MORE NPS staff going to work inside prisons, holding and managing a caseload of MAPPA prisoners during the custodial element of their sentence: and therefore logically it will also entail FEWER NPS probation officers working in community based NPS offices. So many PO's transferring to the new NPS are going to be required to up sticks and go and work in their local prisons (particulalry since prison governors have been steadily reducing their numbers of seconded PO's over the years). <br /><br />For MAPPA prisoners you'll now have 3 professionals managing the prisoners sentence instead of 2. So even more scope for confusion, duplication of effort, not passing critical info on to the others involved, failing to add to ViSOR etc etc. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-64599705551776149912014-01-03T09:35:28.696+00:002014-01-03T09:35:28.696+00:00as with 30YI above, barely survived reading the tu...as with 30YI above, barely survived reading the turgid waffle. However, initial gut feeling is that HMPS want to secure their own world by appropriating PO staff, and thus insulate themselves against failures by the NPS/CRC structures. It puts PO staff under HMPS management and the mgmt link role embeds HMPS into the NPS structures. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-54566949512165075152014-01-03T08:54:58.494+00:002014-01-03T08:54:58.494+00:00Sorry - have not been able to read it all, and I w...Sorry - have not been able to read it all, and I was losing the will to live...it seems nobody asked Prison Governors, their opinion, if they want more PO's in HMP, as I suspect there would need to be a significant transfer of resources, and as things stand, Probation Staff are paid from the Gov's budget. I was seconded to a local gaol in 1999 - 2002 and I was frequently the butt of Governor jokes, i.e, " I can get two junior psychologists for the money I pay you". In fairness, they, whoever they are, have picked up on some of the shortcomings of the current model and I am intrigued by their desire to improve the working relationship between OM and client - but using video conferences, is hardly the way forward. Will come back to this later!30 years innoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-65449792837158915752014-01-03T08:47:15.142+00:002014-01-03T08:47:15.142+00:00I think it must be really hard to do a jigsaw if y...I think it must be really hard to do a jigsaw if you haven't got the picture on the lid of the box!<br />Offence related courses? Will many of them have to be relocated or expanded to suit this 'through the gate' model?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com