tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post6699398285826392311..comments2024-03-28T07:32:23.397+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: The Future's PurpleJim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-37768998030602950952014-11-04T22:08:21.115+00:002014-11-04T22:08:21.115+00:00I posted above.
The real hardcore reality of TR is...I posted above.<br />The real hardcore reality of TR is that you're changing a service that gives a lot for nothing in return, to one that gives nothing and expects a lot in return.<br />Values are exchanged for value.<br />But thats a tory fundemental I guess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-79602154870147712972014-11-04T21:46:19.619+00:002014-11-04T21:46:19.619+00:00I've been involved in the CJs from about the t...I've been involved in the CJs from about the time the sex pistols first made headlines.<br />Then the probation services doors was open , even if unofficially I don't know, but there was always someone willing to help when you knocked the door. Probstion had their finger on the pulse, and had a link with every other agency in the local community that provided support. There was always help, and not because some target needed meeting.<br />Then all the probation services git squeezed into factorys of criminal justice where access became non existsnce unless you were refered by the courts.<br />Probation services were taken away from the coal face of the communities, and prevented from functioning in a fashion that served the community best.<br />Now I'm not going to get help unless theres a buck in it for someone. So, thats ok! Its the way it is. My involvement with supervision is pretty much the same as my involvement with ASDA, I go when I have to, and do what I have to do. It's not going to help me.<br />But if I'm being sold, and some multi national van make money from my sorry heroin addicted arse, then it's fair game to take every oppertunity I can to make money from them. <br />There not there to help me through any sense of social conscience are they? As soon as I'm unprofitable I'm on my own. And the charitable organisations that once assisted for nothing else but a desire to help those unfortunate people in life, are now governed by targets and finance.<br />Well fuck the lot of them- they'll get their just deserves in the end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-62692104123406438882014-11-04T20:57:37.623+00:002014-11-04T20:57:37.623+00:00A very interesting take on things and from a persp...A very interesting take on things and from a perspective that does not have much of a presence on here. Can you be tempted to expand on your experience of probation and the CJS in general?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />JimJim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-36377528197368246022014-11-04T20:52:43.399+00:002014-11-04T20:52:43.399+00:00I'm a client, I'm always (heroin addiction...I'm a client, I'm always (heroin addiction for over 35 years) going to be a client. I'm always going to be your 12 months and under cohort. I'm not thick, my problem is addiction. But being sold on the private market makes me sick to my stomach.<br />If you want to make money by buying me, then I'll bide my time, give you every oppertunity to do something wrong, and I'm screaming at the top of my voice how your abuseing me.<br />I dont care what it is, if your buying me for profit then I'll seek any recourse I can to take money from you for failing me, and any charity involved in 'buying me' will be highlighted in any media outlet that will listen.<br />You think buying people is alright to make profit? <br />I promise you that personsally, I'll make more money from you then you make from me.<br />Any bad press or reputational damage that comes ss a consequence of that is your business.<br />If your commodity is human beings, you deserve everything that comes your way!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-933388343325838412014-11-04T20:49:51.016+00:002014-11-04T20:49:51.016+00:00Not true and not linked to JR. Momentum and politi...Not true and not linked to JR. Momentum and political scrutiny were around before. Still fraught with problems though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-79899775996938098242014-11-04T20:43:36.524+00:002014-11-04T20:43:36.524+00:00I think anon 9.55 is being a pragmatist. We have m...I think anon 9.55 is being a pragmatist. We have mortgages to pay and families to support. If I resign on principle who pays the price?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-45276409011458466902014-11-04T20:07:27.154+00:002014-11-04T20:07:27.154+00:00Our CEO is far from innovative despite her spoutin...Our CEO is far from innovative despite her spouting this word out more than I say No to my manager. She is Nero fiddling away as Rome burns. All her minions are too scared to argue with her. Hopelessly inadeqaute!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-38662815365104835112014-11-04T18:40:38.009+00:002014-11-04T18:40:38.009+00:00It's amazing how similar all this nonsense fro...It's amazing how similar all this nonsense from the successful bidders is. Do they all have the same selection box of buzzwords to pick from? I thought this process was supposed to be about "innovation" - they can't even come up with innovative PR bullshit!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-32791973899643089712014-11-04T16:45:34.823+00:002014-11-04T16:45:34.823+00:00Probation contracts show the government does not v...Probation contracts show the government does not value diversity<br /><br />Yet more in The Guardian as a failed bidder bleats!<br /><br />http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/04/charities-social-enterprises-bids-for-primary-public-service-contracts?commentpage=1Andrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-29892503305214850032014-11-04T16:29:08.914+00:002014-11-04T16:29:08.914+00:00Hi anon above, thanks for this. I have just passed...Hi anon above, thanks for this. I have just passed my information on to Napo and they wondered if anyone has any formal documentation they can share with them about this issue. Joanna Hughesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-23578612056333867632014-11-04T16:20:10.931+00:002014-11-04T16:20:10.931+00:00Parliament is stuffed with lawyers - who weren'...Parliament is stuffed with lawyers - who weren't good enough to make a career in the lawAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-34776488851984636952014-11-04T15:47:13.507+00:002014-11-04T15:47:13.507+00:00oops before any one comes back to me about the ars...oops before any one comes back to me about the arson offences I have described, it is just meant to illustrate ranges of behaviour, I fully accept both COULD be serious....it is just that usually probation staff are capable of exercising judgements rather than one size fits all assessments....that's what I meant!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-42261419077740914662014-11-04T15:43:11.694+00:002014-11-04T15:43:11.694+00:00Joanna, there is a real panic about the Case Alloc...Joanna, there is a real panic about the Case Allocation, RSR and Risk Escalation Tools. NOMS have sent a number of staff out to court teams ( where most areas have made this part of a POs duties), my understanding from the 2 colleagues picked to speak to this person (both non union incidentally) was that NOMS have realised this is being done very differently in areas - a big issue for JR me thinks. I have posted information previously about this and signalled to NAPO from June about the issues and lack of training. I have simply told the truth not embellished because it does not need to be. FAR too many young people are being sent to NPS - it is tick box assessment and does not differentiate between the behaviour in offences eg arson ( setting light to a bin as opposed to setting a fire at a school building, you get the point?). Also staff were previously told to use the 'professional judgement' override to allocate cases appropriative to NPS or CRC and have since been told this can only be exceptionally used.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-25723672938527014862014-11-04T15:41:54.308+00:002014-11-04T15:41:54.308+00:00This is a prison service approach to inspection de...This is a prison service approach to inspection deadlines. Put 200 people in a room for an hour and then they are trained.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-41749530361534221762014-11-04T15:32:10.276+00:002014-11-04T15:32:10.276+00:00Hopefully lots of participants will report their e...Hopefully lots of participants will report their experiences to napo.<br /><br />Seems as if MOJ are firefighting but using leaky buckets and rickety laddersAndrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-61366575113064630552014-11-04T15:29:08.422+00:002014-11-04T15:29:08.422+00:00A good article that - worth reading - I added a re...A good article that - worth reading - I added a response - it is also posted on Napo GLB Branch facebook page<br /><br />https://www.facebook.com/napoukglb/posts/1550402668505477<br />Andrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-24724090572420792222014-11-04T15:22:20.112+00:002014-11-04T15:22:20.112+00:00I've just heard from a former colleague that N...I've just heard from a former colleague that NPS staff are being forced to do RSR training version 13 which has been cobbled together in 2 days and were told by the trainers (one a PO grade who used to be active in Napo - shame) that this was a direct result of the Judicial Review and the MOJ are insisting everyone has to do it. However, half the staff haven't done it and the MOJ will say that they all have. Apparently, there are quite a few mistakes on it including one on a question on sexual offending where the answer has already been put as: last offence in 1866! The trainers didn't know whether this was affecting the final scores. Has anyone else any experience of this?Joanna Hughesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-38591113130141161152014-11-04T13:09:54.670+00:002014-11-04T13:09:54.670+00:00I do not think the Lib Dems are in this instance, ...I do not think the Lib Dems are in this instance, lap dogs. <br /><br />From what I have calculated by inference from reading others is that over this Lib Dems and Conservatives came together as happy bedfellows both anticipating satisfaction from the engagement. <br /><br />I think LibDems were very keen. I expect Hughes was to the fore as he previously took a keen interest in probation work - he was once a practising barrister.<br /><br />I think Lib Dems were desperate to get work done with under 12 month prisoners which failed under Labour but I think Conservatives, particularly from the Grayling school, were desperate to diminish the direct engagement with front-line work of any public service.<br /><br />So they came up with the daft idea - a real hotch potch and the fact it was LibDem driven is further indicated that the stupid - I mean stupid ORA2014 started its way through parliament introduced by a LibDem peer Lord (Tom) McNally who never seemed to understand what he was doing .<br /><br />They must have been very badly advised because there are two aspects that will not work and will cause chaos probably in the Appeal courts and maybe in the media - though seeing as the media have gone quiet on the Prime Minister employing a liar as his principal media adviser, maybe not?<br /><br />The two bits - that every one whether sentenced to two days or three hundred and sixty four days prison gets a whole twelve months supervision on release - clearly unjust.<br /><br />Then the detail of the supervision of those on Community Orders will be worked out by the supervising agencies - unpaid work - drug treatment - one to one supervision - clearly unjust because it further removes judicial adjudication from the courts of law where defendants have a right of legal representation to the offices of the companies who will earn profit from the rehabilitation activity requirements they impose.<br /><br />Parliament is stuffed with lawyers - they must have not been concentrating - those aspects will surely fail if they are implemented without first being amended.<br /><br />But they get the Lib Dems able to smugly claim they did something positive for criminal justice and the Conservatives to say they have freed up a bit more of The State.<br /><br />Interestingly Norman Baker, having forced his drugs report out of the Home Office has given up, I heard Malcolm Bruce listing all the wonderful things Lib Dems have brought us acknowledging the tuition fees debacle - did not mention in that list under 12 month supervision.<br /><br />Bruce is Lib Dems second in command to Clegg - maybe that is a sign they know they've got big problems with probation - I do hope so, because ultimately parliament will have to sort out the mess it has allowed.<br /><br />Tough as it is for practitioners, clients and victims, I believe that the 'sorting out' will come soonest - the more people with experience and skills withdraw from probation - at least for the time being!Andrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-22243514582565192782014-11-04T13:09:09.725+00:002014-11-04T13:09:09.725+00:00To anon 9.55 are you for real or are you playing d...To anon 9.55 are you for real or are you playing devils advocate. As far as I can see, there is nothing ethical about the companies we will now be working for if we don't win JR. Once employed by them, I have no doubt you will write back with a different view.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-79055743436238038962014-11-04T12:46:50.237+00:002014-11-04T12:46:50.237+00:00Sadiq Khan has been reported to police by a Conser...Sadiq Khan has been reported to police by a Conservative MP for using his mobile phone, texting I think. Needless to say the act is wrong but the timing is fascinating could be a coincidence or would politicians play that dirty? What are the consequences for all concerned. It was reported on Daily Politics 15 mins agoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-48492118968334192572014-11-04T12:41:02.438+00:002014-11-04T12:41:02.438+00:00"I'm happy to give it a go and am getting..."I'm happy to give it a go and am getting annoyed by the tantrums on here from the 'status quo' brigade. Things change."<br /><br />Anybody from a Status Quo Brigade, ever back to the dawn of probation is in the wrong job. Probation work is about change, including organisational change which I was part off and sometimes drove or even initiated over 30 years.<br /><br />However what should not have changed is the uniformity of the employing agency who advise the courts and supervise the court orders, be they community orders or on licenced release from custody.<br /><br />The most dangerous of these new arrangements is not the introduction of private companies or of commissioning discrete work from non traditional probation organisations.<br /><br />It is splitting the service at the local level making continuity of contact even harder to maintain than it had already become since the growth of specialist teams after the 1991 CJA when automatic supervised release from prison was (wrongly) introduced.<br /><br />I say wrongly - regrettably with hindsight.Andrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-45073817040000967602014-11-04T12:40:11.724+00:002014-11-04T12:40:11.724+00:00http://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/anthony...http://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/anthony-hilton-hypocrisy-of-probation-outsourcing-9838246.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-25454280536825896022014-11-04T11:34:29.381+00:002014-11-04T11:34:29.381+00:00Slightly off topic but just had this http://weowni...Slightly off topic but just had this http://weownit.org.uk/take-action/ask-your-mp-back-public-service-users from We Own It please follow the link and ask Your MP to sign it.<br /><br />ReplyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-52242091922738016762014-11-04T11:25:36.305+00:002014-11-04T11:25:36.305+00:00I hear the Lib Dems have decided to progressively ...I hear the Lib Dems have decided to progressively withdraw support from the Tories and it has started today with the resignation of Norman Baker from the Home Office. They have realised they will massively lose at next election if they do not start to assert themselves so this is a great time to approach Lib Dem MPs. It is just a pity Simon Hughes appears to be such a lap dog for Chris Grayling but now really is the time to push them apart. If the government folds contracts have not been signed.....<br />Watch this space, this story should gain traction...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-12614302798715852722014-11-04T11:07:06.646+00:002014-11-04T11:07:06.646+00:00Sodexo: 38% of its revenue is made in the USA. It&...Sodexo: 38% of its revenue is made in the USA. It's ethical principles, like the UK Prison Inspectorate's independence, are therefore somewhat proportionate and expedient. And, of course, they were previously involved with U.S. Prisons, as they held a stake in CCA – Corrections Corporation of America. They have a history of bullying unions, low pay and racial discrimination. So, with these caveats, they are indeed a fine company. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com