tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post4504476387029638988..comments2024-03-28T19:11:47.821+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: The Wrong Guy ResignsJim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-1671023856332182502018-03-30T01:13:24.276+01:002018-03-30T01:13:24.276+01:00yes weak as warm butteryes weak as warm butterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-40206236188392071732018-03-30T01:00:23.552+01:002018-03-30T01:00:23.552+01:00Isn't this the 1st time Gauke has botbered to ...Isn't this the 1st time Gauke has botbered to reference work of Probation? Revolting how he implicitly takes credit for local NPS assessment anti <br />/catAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-28983619521377217112018-03-29T22:53:18.902+01:002018-03-29T22:53:18.902+01:00The judgement came to the right conclusion. The Pa...The judgement came to the right conclusion. The Parole Board panel made a number of shoddy errors. I’ve known shoddy PB release decisions before, but never against recommendations of probation officers, prison psychologists and MAPPA, and never on a high profile case. Hardwick knew Gauke planned to point the finger in one direction so had no choice but to resign. Hardwick resigning meant Gauke didn’t have to for not intervening, it’s simple as that. Gauke has not come out unscathed and now known as an incompetent Justice Secretary. It won’t be forgotten he refused to take responsibility and threw everyone else under the bus, including the probation service.<br /><br />Final thoughts: <br />Use of non-convictions in Parole hearings will remain a grey area. <br />There’re structural problems of solicitors representing dangerous clients at parole hearings as if were innocent defendants in courts of law. <br />The probation officer involved should be commended for a tight Parole report, recommendation and risk assessment. Probation Officernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-11718029731364455412018-03-29T21:22:44.077+01:002018-03-29T21:22:44.077+01:00I disagree. Bowling into the committee ranting and...I disagree. Bowling into the committee ranting and raving blaming everyone else aka Phillip Green should earn zero respect in my view. Unfortunately behaviour like that amoungst the elite means they get weasel out of what’s coming their way. Hardwick took responsibility as managers often don’t and resigned. An honerable man in my view. Unfortunately in this day and age viewed as weakness to some. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-29656866645851424802018-03-29T21:13:07.016+01:002018-03-29T21:13:07.016+01:00What a shower of comments half wrong at that. I ...What a shower of comments half wrong at that. I read the blog on the basis I thought it was declining in reader feedback but here we have a little lift because of a simple resignation. <br /><br />The way this reads is simple If Hardwick had anything about himself he would said FO to Gawky boy and said sack or shut it ! Instead he helped the Gawky boy and fell on a sword not a murmur of protest . In my view at least he asked for it ! No fight no respect. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-59834788219102154792018-03-29T19:04:35.349+01:002018-03-29T19:04:35.349+01:00Interesting letter in the Guardian here.
https://...Interesting letter in the Guardian here.<br /><br />https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/29/the-worboys-case-and-fears-for-the-criminal-justice-systemAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-89568125499120855682018-03-29T18:16:58.702+01:002018-03-29T18:16:58.702+01:00I don't think the blog piece title 'The W...I don't think the blog piece title 'The Wrong Guy Resigns' hits the mark. We work in imperfect systems, with contradictory guidance and flawed science but do our best in light of this. I think the Judges got the balance right in their summation. My view based on what I have read is that noone needed to resign, the opportunity to reconsider and reflect on Parole decisions is the challenge in light of what happened. Public grandstanding by Politicians is a sign of immature politics and serves noone well. I would respect Gauke if he reconsidered Hardwick's resignation and worked with him to bring about considered changes to the Parole system, they appear to agree fundamentally on much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-72729179543160973712018-03-29T16:55:42.059+01:002018-03-29T16:55:42.059+01:00It’s impossible for Gauke or Hardwick to blame pro...It’s impossible for Gauke or Hardwick to blame probation for the dossier or the decision. From the judgement;<br /><br />“40. On 11th October 2017, a new Offender Manager (“PO6”) provided an addendum to the PAROM 1 previously provided in April 2017. This did not refer to P1’s report. PO6 explained that Mr Radford’s case has been discussed at Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (“MAPPA”) meetings on 24th August and 2nd October 2017. The senior prison psychologist did not support the recommendation made in P9’s addendum report. Concerns were expressed as to Mr Radford’s narcissism, his impression management, and that he had only recently completed treatment; the assessment was that he required further work in custody. The view of MAPPA was that Mr Radford remained a high risk of harm and should not be granted release or moved to open conditions before progressing through security categories and continuing to work on his current treatment needs. PO6’s conclusion was that there remained outstanding work around Mr Radford’s self-worth, sources of validation and impression management that needed to be completed and tested within closed conditions. PO6 suggested that this could best be achieved in Category C conditions. The report stated that a move to open conditions or release could not be supported.<br /><br />41. As is clear from the schedule to the witness statement of Mr Gordon Davison, Deputy Director in HM Prison and Probation Service, dated 5th March 2018, there were numerous references in the dossier to a large-scale police operation during which around 80 potential victims came forward, and a similar number of offences. Some of these references were specifically linked to the period October 2006 to February 2008; others were not. Although Mr Radford was consistently described as a “prolific” sex offender, it was clear that his admission of guilt (in 2015 and subsequently) has been confined solely to the series of offences for which he had been convicted.”<br /><br />https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dsd-nbv-v-parole-board-and-ors.pdfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-68607578762774679112018-03-29T16:34:45.148+01:002018-03-29T16:34:45.148+01:00I suspect “the departments representatives” means ...I suspect “the departments representatives” means the probation service. This is misleading the truth because the probation officer who submitted a report and attended the parole hearing as a witness is not responsible for the parole boards failure. What we want to know is why the other “departments representatives” the Ministry of Justice Public Protection Casework Section which is responsible for the dossier failed to include the correct information, and why the “departments” head, the Justice Secretary David Gauke and David Lidington before him failed to intervene. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-17906713039625754422018-03-29T15:42:28.302+01:002018-03-29T15:42:28.302+01:00An MOJ spokesman said: "The department's ...An MOJ spokesman said: "The department's representatives at the hearing made clear that they had analysed the offences of which (Worboys) had been convicted and opposed release on the basis that he remained high risk.<br /><br />"They did not feel the need to analyse any other offending in order to reach this firm conclusion."<br /><br />Those are the accusations against the parole board which forced the resignation of Nick Hardwick.<br />If the MoJ are now saying they are guilty of the same error then who's going to resign from that department? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-6377948312563361982018-03-29T15:31:43.909+01:002018-03-29T15:31:43.909+01:00Given all the finger pointing because of the lack ...Given all the finger pointing because of the lack of information presented on Worboys probable offending, and Nick Hardwick being effectively sacked, this report says that the SoSs representative at Worboys hearing opposed release on the basis of what he was 'convicted' of, and didn't feel the need to elaborate on his possible further offences.<br />Whos at fault now Mr.MGauk?<br /><br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43580469Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-56966896845666845332018-03-29T13:06:48.394+01:002018-03-29T13:06:48.394+01:00Veering off topic but important news that gives an...Veering off topic but important news that gives an other indication of just how broken our CJC is.<br />Barristors will refuse to take on new cases from Sunday in direct action and protest over legal aid cuts.<br /><br />https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/direct-action-over-cuts-starts-on-sunday-barristers-announce/5065478.articleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-34391234791390065962018-03-29T12:32:09.240+01:002018-03-29T12:32:09.240+01:00Ian Lawrence may as well have blamed Australian b...Ian Lawrence may as well have blamed Australian ball tampering and poisoning of Russian spies on probation privatisation too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-88448696336493574052018-03-29T12:27:58.695+01:002018-03-29T12:27:58.695+01:00I think not and the judgement does not mention Ian...I think not and the judgement does not mention Ian’s view. This was nothing to do with privatisation or poor communication. Probation did it’s job, prisons and it’s psychologist did it’s job, and as Hartley-Brewer called it;<br /><br />“Bizarrely, the Parole Board members seemed to be the only people who didn’t know his history. But also the fact that they seemed to take as gospel truth the fact he had converted to religion – I don’t see how that’s relevant – and that he was a changed man. It seems a level of utter incompetence and incredulity.”Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-23415360672692641992018-03-29T12:19:37.278+01:002018-03-29T12:19:37.278+01:00Lawrence puts his finger on the real problem. If y...Lawrence puts his finger on the real problem. If you spend years destroying the justice system, dismantling long established structures, dividing agencies and outsourcing critical parts to third parties, then poor communication and serious mistakes are going to be enevitable. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-35357707517795494792018-03-29T12:17:10.094+01:002018-03-29T12:17:10.094+01:00So Ian Lawrence said nothing about Hardwick and Ga...So Ian Lawrence said nothing about Hardwick and Gauke wrongly blaming probation for the dossier?, and nothing about wrongly blaming probation for victims not being informed when this wasn’t the responsibility of probation? In fact our Ian just endorsed the scapegoating of probation by stating “Privatising probation, ... , I’m not surprised crucial information was missing“. Utterly useless!Napo = Uselessnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-20331125920576861952018-03-29T12:09:12.663+01:002018-03-29T12:09:12.663+01:00The judgement recommends more serving and retired ...The judgement recommends more serving and retired judges on parole board panels. Maybe this will stop the shady practices of solicitors and barristers at parole hearings. I’ve seen nothing in the media or from the legal profession about Worboys legal representatives presenting his lies and arguing for his release. Where did they find that psychologist who recommended release?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-43330079848999638992018-03-29T12:08:16.017+01:002018-03-29T12:08:16.017+01:00Julia Hartley-Brewer has condemned the “incompeten...Julia Hartley-Brewer has condemned the “incompetence and incredulity” of the Parole Board in the John Worboys case, while defending Nick Hardwick, the former Parole Board chief who resigned over the rapist John Warboys ruling. <br /><br />Speaking to Ian Lawrence from the National Association of Probation Officers, Hartley-Brewer said: “He stood by the Parole Board decision, but that’s what you have to do. He’s a good man. I rate him really highly. He’s always spoken truth to power.” <br /><br />Lawrence replied that “Nick Hardwick will be a great loss. I want to know more about why ministers aren't being called to account for what they've done to the criminal justice system generally. Privatising probation, cuts to the police, cuts to the courts, cuts to forensic services, I’m not surprised crucial information was missing [in the Warboys case].<br /><br />“We understand the furore, but many of our members were disappointed that Nick Hardwick has to go.”<br /><br />Hartley-Brewer added; “The conclusion of high court was absolutely damning. This wasn’t another man, another rapist, convicted of one crime. This case was huge. <br /><br />“Bizarrely, the Parole Board members seemed to be the only people who didn’t know his history. But also the fact that they seemed to take as gospel truth the fact he had converted to religion – I don’t see how that’s relevant – and that he was a changed man. It seems a level of utter incompetence and incredulity.”Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-83902910418278953052018-03-29T12:02:44.326+01:002018-03-29T12:02:44.326+01:00Julia Hartley Brewer and Ian Lawrence discuss the ...Julia Hartley Brewer and Ian Lawrence discuss the Warboys case here. There's also the opertuity to comment.<br /><br />http://talkradio.co.uk/news/julia-hartley-brewer-condemns-incompetence-and-incredulity-worboys-case-18032925208<br /><br />'Getafix Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-40799809606243204312018-03-29T12:01:17.261+01:002018-03-29T12:01:17.261+01:00Totally agree. PPCS refer everything back to the d...Totally agree. PPCS refer everything back to the disinterested and clueless Parole Board Caseworker, who refer everything over to the disinterested and clueless Parole Board Case Manager, who refer everything to the Parole Board Panel Chair who is usually disinterested and clueless too. BUT, the dossier is still the responsibility of the PPCS and the Parole Board. It is not the responsibility of the Probation Service. Probation Officers are witnesses at Parole Hearings to attend and answer question about their Parole Assessement Reports and Risk Assessments and nothing more, not to provide the dossier, not to arrange the logistics, not to make tea, nada.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-51367020883002441832018-03-29T11:43:39.802+01:002018-03-29T11:43:39.802+01:00Yes Gauke is scapegoating both the Parole Board an...Yes Gauke is scapegoating both the Parole Board and the National Probation Service. Does this mean the head of the NPS is to resign too?<br /><br />The truth is the dossier was not provided by or the responsibility of the National Probation Service—and, therefore, Gauke’s own Department the MoJ Public Protection Casework Section—is responsible for the dossier. At any point in the process Gauke had the authority to intervene in the decision being made to ensure public protection and the interests of justice. Liar, Liar, Gauke’s Pants on Fire!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-86014123254403997302018-03-29T11:09:34.373+01:002018-03-29T11:09:34.373+01:00Try having a conversation with a PPCS caseworker a...Try having a conversation with a PPCS caseworker about the contents of a dossier. Other than hitting the required timescale s, they're at best disinterested and more often than not clueless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-17387172765454519722018-03-29T10:59:14.923+01:002018-03-29T10:59:14.923+01:00Gauke will claim he has taken responsibility,
&qu...Gauke will claim he has taken responsibility,<br /><br />"On the dossier that was provided by the National Probation Service—and, therefore, my Department—for the hearing that occurred on 8 November last year," <br /><br />But really he is scapegoating the NPS, and saying he is "forced" to accept some responsibility but only because the NPS are under his ward. <br />Hardwick has taken the right stance, there were cock ups made, some by the parole board, and some by various other involved parties, lets accept that and sort the problems out.<br />Everyone else however seems to be trying to pass the hot patato. <br />It's interesting that Hardwick is the only one that seems to be commanding any respect, yet he's the one who's had to take the biggest fall. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-4653717260498594672018-03-29T10:47:34.389+01:002018-03-29T10:47:34.389+01:00Hardwick is leaving out there was a parole Board P...Hardwick is leaving out there was a parole Board Post Tariff Review in 2015. Full documents were available and release was not granted. The 2017 Parole Board Panel would have had access to this decision. The recent Judgement states there was an indication of Worboys convictions and 80+ victims in the dossier and the Panel could have sought further information at any time. This is not just about not having all the information, it is about not properly analysing what they had and making no attempt to obtain what was further required. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-75461724357423318712018-03-29T10:40:13.503+01:002018-03-29T10:40:13.503+01:00On ‘behalf’ of 09:55, it was more direct than ‘I’l...On ‘behalf’ of 09:55, it was more direct than ‘I’ll mannered’! The word “thick” is retracted. The dossier is the responsibility of PPCS and the Parole caseworker. On many occasions Ive been involved in and observed requests by both for information and documentation. Probation responsibility is simply to provide a parole report and other REQUESTED documents. Probation are merely witnesses as the hearing. The Prison Parole Clerk simply collates the documents sent according to request sent by PPCS and the Parole Caseworker. The NPS and Napo need to make a public statement about this quickly, but won’t because NPS directors are in Gauke’s pocket and the Napo GS doesn’t understand probation work. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com