tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post4769263430691812641..comments2024-03-29T13:05:24.150+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: The New LandscapeJim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-55530924571899076262013-12-04T21:26:14.523+00:002013-12-04T21:26:14.523+00:00I recommend inviting Harry Fletcher to write a ...I recommend inviting Harry Fletcher to write a 'guest blog'<br /><br />His write up on the Napo news website is getting loads of views and hopefully cheering many up - now is not the time to ease up. Grayling is backing off as his dates slip, which is also being reported by Sally Lewis<br /><br />https://twitter.com/CEOLewis/status/408235927606009857<br /><br />Here is Harry's post - I expect most have seen it by now: -<br /><br />http://www.napo2.org.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=368<br /><br />100 views in about half hour just on the Napo Forum and it is on main Napo website as well!<br /><br />Andrew HattonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-69883386737189104722013-12-04T19:48:59.968+00:002013-12-04T19:48:59.968+00:00The thing is I think the decision to allocate or s...The thing is I think the decision to allocate or sift is based on an arbitrary date 11/11/13 and what your caseload looked like. Shocking!Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-58279385053649401892013-12-04T18:32:58.948+00:002013-12-04T18:32:58.948+00:00Off topic but talking today regarding cyber techno...Off topic but talking today regarding cyber technology Grayling had this to say<br /><br /> The U.K. spearheaded the push to amend the 2014 deadline for introduction, and country officials want the plan to be perfected before anything is introduced. “I want to see us agreeing data protection legislation that works for the U.K.,” U.K. Justice Secretary Chris Grayling toldBloomberg in a statement. “As the Prime Minister has made clear, it is better we take the time to get this right rather than rush into something that proves unworkable and costly.”<br /><br />Yup! The same Grayling introducing TR.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-61153250924262596462013-12-04T17:22:25.020+00:002013-12-04T17:22:25.020+00:00I am staggered to hear today that my Trust has bee...I am staggered to hear today that my Trust has been unable to 'automatically assign' anyone in my team - although we have been working with HR cases since the start of 2013. Consequently, we will all be getting a letter next Wed asking for expressions of interest! Actually I am not interested and I am finding it more difficult on a daily basis to take anything coming from NoMs or the Trusts seriously. For instance, and this is a personal grip, there are, I think 7 PO's in my Trust, of which I am one, trained and qualified to apply the ERG22+ (Extreme Risk Guidance Assessment Tool) and engage service users in the Foundation, Healthy Identity Interventions and HII+ - I would have thought, I would be automatically assigned, as it is highly unlikely that those convicted of Extreme Offences will have PSR's written on them or be managed by the CRC's or maybe I am being too analytical...too sensible, my mum used to say! Seems I get to express my opinion...well, I certainly would not wish to be on the receiving end of my opinion!! It also made me wonder what the Trust has been doing over recent months? Clearly, they have not been looking at their staff to hard - much easier to let us seal our own fate. Apart from everything else this is so disrespectful...they would do well to remeber, you get what you pay for and you reap what you sow!<br />30 years innoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-34115111503382969672013-12-04T17:02:21.987+00:002013-12-04T17:02:21.987+00:00Seriously, if the MOJ is sooo good at Machiavellia...Seriously, if the MOJ is sooo good at Machiavellian plotting how come the new probation arrangements are so crap ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-46703014285607860152013-12-04T16:44:57.644+00:002013-12-04T16:44:57.644+00:00Yep sorryYep sorryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-53333319288509589152013-12-04T14:33:00.395+00:002013-12-04T14:33:00.395+00:00My personal opinion is that it will mean non of th...My personal opinion is that it will mean non of the above. It will give the illusion to the public that this whole omnishambles is overseen and governed by a proffessional institute, and give some protection to the builders, water management and waste collection companies that will win TR contracts. I'm not convinced its just bad timing by the MoJ at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-35742403516632125972013-12-04T13:48:42.746+00:002013-12-04T13:48:42.746+00:00Let's speculate a bit on what that might mean,...Let's speculate a bit on what that might mean, would pproval mean a guarantee that all staff working directly with service users have minimum level of qualifications and that certain tasks require higher level qualifications? Would it mean that there has to be in place transfer arrangements between the CRCS and NPS to allow professional updating, the training of new probation officers and to ensure good practice permeates across the whole provision? Might it mean that new providers would benefit, even welcome, professional standard as they are working in the dark to soe extent.? Might it mean an independent voice talking about and researching on what is actually happening in practice and helping expose poor practice? Might it mean the unions, professional assns, sector skills councils and higher education institutions working together to ensure the institution of 'probation' does not wither on April 1. Might it be a response to a long overdue need for a professional home for probation?<br />Political timing is crap and in desperation perhaps MoJ are wanting to appear at the table here and the timing might signal their desperation but the work on the institute has been going on quietly and assiduously. The is no done deal. There is a long way to go and it would work better if the while omnishambles was abandoned. But don't throw the champagne out with the cork. The are still many fellow travellers trying to support the future of probation.Yorkhullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18395732293483246569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-79567037676769112842013-12-04T10:39:15.420+00:002013-12-04T10:39:15.420+00:00I think you mean Essex...I think you mean Essex...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-79358395545290969352013-12-04T10:18:46.532+00:002013-12-04T10:18:46.532+00:00http://www.publicnet.co.uk/news/2013/12/04/new-pro...http://www.publicnet.co.uk/news/2013/12/04/new-probation-institute-to-be-a-centre-of-excellence/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-21691600952494967262013-12-04T10:14:44.555+00:002013-12-04T10:14:44.555+00:00I can just see the little stamp above the letter ...I can just see the little stamp above the letter heading on all the stationary used by those involved with TR contracts..." probation Institute approved".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-5653377406634131512013-12-04T09:13:44.432+00:002013-12-04T09:13:44.432+00:00It's worth pointing out that the MoJ statement...It's worth pointing out that the MoJ statement made absolutely no reference to Napo's involvement with the Probation Institute, though the PI website itself does mention Napo involvement and the union - at national level at least - appear quietly in favour. Inevitably Grayling just had to link his announcement with TR, "driving down" those "stubbornly high" reoffending rates - thus guaranteeing that it would be viewed with instant suspicion. What's the opposite of the Midas touch?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-76858162076047853562013-12-04T08:02:52.993+00:002013-12-04T08:02:52.993+00:00Thank you.
Jim has refrained from commenting tha...Thank you. <br /><br />Jim has refrained from commenting that the only 'partner' agency in the Probation Institute venture not to have apparently issued an independent welcoming statement is Napo, whereas an agency who is a supporter rather than partner, the MOJ has issued a strong approving statement. It <br /><br />Why now - it is not due to 'open its doors' until March? I suspect it is to distract us from the real priority - to mitigate the damage from the whole Transforming Rehabilitation proposals.<br /><br />Meanwhile, The Offender Rehabilitation Bill has completed its committee stage and will be returned to the whole House of Commons, for further amendment, rejection or approval. I will be keeping an eye on my 'In Box' for an email link to the whole amended Bill. Now might be the last viable time to alert MPs to specific good and bad points of the Bill with the hope that what probation folk get to work with is - workable and enhances the prospect of rehabilitation and does not result in extra judgements for imprisonment, immediately or as recalls after breach.<br /><br />Let us all not be distracted from the appearance today of Grayling and Wright, before The House of Commons, Justice Committee. There are links on the Napo Forum, so it can be followed live or later.<br /><br />http://www.napo2.org.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=364<br /><br />Andrew Hatton<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-25147817870664658472013-12-04T07:58:33.903+00:002013-12-04T07:58:33.903+00:00Thanks for that Netnipper. Another quote directly ...Thanks for that Netnipper. Another quote directly contradicts the MoJ's assertion:-<br /><br />"Community sentences must command the confidence of the courts and the public. However, we are concerned that an emphasis on making community sentences more “punitive” could <br />undermine their success at reducing reoffending and damage, rather than reinforce, public and court confidence in community provision." Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-43689789061364875182013-12-04T07:46:37.280+00:002013-12-04T07:46:37.280+00:00The Probation Institute is part of the MOJ plan to...The Probation Institute is part of the MOJ plan to have an exclusive elite little group at the top to lead the rest of the CRC grunts by the nose. It's a distraction from their wilful destruction of a good service. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-41719512870154084472013-12-04T07:27:52.834+00:002013-12-04T07:27:52.834+00:00Just on the assertion that adding in punishment lo...Just on the assertion that adding in punishment lowers refoffending. <br /><br />There is a good Prison Reform Trust paper on this very topic. Two quotes: 'Every requirement is punitive to the extent that it involves an element of coercion and / or deprivation of the liberty of the offender. It is unhelpful and misleading to attempt to separate the punitive and non-punitive elements of an order. Despite the limited discretion built into the new duty, we believe its effect will be to restrict the freedom of judges and magistrates to set an appropriate sentence based on the particular facts and circumstances of the individual case.'<br /><br />'We are particularly concerned that the new duty does not contain sufficient safeguards to ensure that those with particular support needs such as mental health problems, learning disabilities and difficulties, substance misuse and people with primary care responsibilities are not subject to inappropriate punitive requirements.'<br /><br />Who needs a Probation Institute for research when we have the excellence of the PRT? The MoJ may well cool on the Institute idea once TR is finished. The timing does legitimise and makes things look joined up between the PA, unions and MoJ. Perceptions, as politicians well know, can be more important than the reality. <br /><br />http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Crime%20and%20Courts%20Bill%20-%20Lords%20Committee%20Stage.pdfNetnippernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-46455407668962407582013-12-04T07:25:29.498+00:002013-12-04T07:25:29.498+00:00So Jeffrey Archers wife is heading up Kent CRC.......So Jeffrey Archers wife is heading up Kent CRC....scraping the barrel for the MOJ's bagholders aren't they!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com