tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post6983447884039605102..comments2024-03-28T07:32:23.397+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: Guest Blog 22Jim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-62305508865453966522015-02-08T22:59:08.494+00:002015-02-08T22:59:08.494+00:00It's sad, disappointing and depressing to see ...It's sad, disappointing and depressing to see such lack of realpolitik and empathy in this individual who points the blame very much at probation staff as individuals. Had we the choice, we'd have caseloads of 12-20 and be trying to make meaningful dialogue - and in cases relationships - with those people. Unfortunately, dystopia rules. I left the community probation office when my caseload was over 100, with Court and Office Duties, training, meetings, child protection meetings, MAPPas, Sentence Plan Reviews and Lifer Panels at prisons all over England,....(contd for the next 94 pages). My life became devoid of any meaningful relations anywhere in it. So, some cheapskate comments from a self-centred individual casting judgement really doesn't impress me. You may have a high IQ but your emotional intelligence is grossly underdeveloped and you lack nous. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-66059583966975191572015-02-06T00:18:32.338+00:002015-02-06T00:18:32.338+00:00My very point at 10.19. The superbrain has no sens...My very point at 10.19. The superbrain has no sense of self-awareness. I sit here now, having played but a walk on role during the earlier attempts at comprehension of the superbrain and its criminal preoccupation but have to walk away defeated and live off of my gold-plated pension, paid for the superbrain. Trebles all round!.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-38838848947333700882015-02-05T23:58:54.098+00:002015-02-05T23:58:54.098+00:00Anon 22:48.perhaps another example of rejecting an...Anon 22:48.perhaps another example of rejecting any other perspective , you may be right in your presumption, but then again you may not. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-34942597818029244632015-02-05T23:58:10.437+00:002015-02-05T23:58:10.437+00:00'I would suggest that an awful lot of recalls ...'I would suggest that an awful lot of recalls happen for this very reason and are directly due to a failure in the OM/client relationship.'<br /><br />Your fate is in your hands. You made the decision to commit a crime so stop moaning. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-60424483860179876812015-02-05T23:42:30.032+00:002015-02-05T23:42:30.032+00:00What has happened to this blog? It used to be wort...What has happened to this blog? It used to be worthwhile.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-43774029623900544772015-02-05T22:50:54.559+00:002015-02-05T22:50:54.559+00:00Well said
Simon GardenWell said<br /><br />Simon GardenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-4216796889512671882015-02-05T22:48:04.874+00:002015-02-05T22:48:04.874+00:00It's quite obvious that many of the comments p...It's quite obvious that many of the comments posted today have been 'responded' to by the same person that made the comments in the first place.<br />It's pretty pathetic, and even quite sad really, that someone who appears to be of good intelligence chooses that way to ammuse themselves as it really goes a long way towards destroying some of their arguement.<br />Sad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-56132660409831036332015-02-05T22:35:56.943+00:002015-02-05T22:35:56.943+00:00Recall doesn't count as a 'successful comp...Recall doesn't count as a 'successful completion'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-68971408987190769842015-02-05T22:28:43.251+00:002015-02-05T22:28:43.251+00:00'gives an insight into what sort of PO or PSO ...'gives an insight into what sort of PO or PSO he/she is' <br /><br />Yeah: not a patronising and collusive one like you - and you think this guest blog makes 'many salient points' but my contributions on here constitute 'whinging'? Your inanity is only surpassed by your ignorance. 'good on yer' indeed...<br /><br />Simon GardenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-89674537836301624592015-02-05T22:22:53.020+00:002015-02-05T22:22:53.020+00:00Anon 14:54. 17:31 21:05 . Agreed.
Jim when they ...Anon 14:54. 17:31 21:05 . Agreed. <br />Jim when they said challenge the behaviour..did they say argue ? did they say reject any other perspective than their own ? did they say focus on finding out, presume or assume every possible negative about a person ? <br /><br /> Is there no significance to the fact that in the accountability and performance world a successful completion of a sentence is accorded the same whether a person is recalled to custody to serve to the end of the sentence OR the person and PO attended every contact over several years without further crime or failure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-78106202026244610872015-02-05T22:07:26.836+00:002015-02-05T22:07:26.836+00:00It may be worth reflecting that nobody 'needs ...It may be worth reflecting that nobody 'needs to be perfect for the rest of their lives' - they just need to live within the law. I'm quite sure you could sit and cite chapter and verse about why you are either unable or unwilling to do so, but if you want to know who is mostly to blame look in a mirror. If you dislike your contact with the legal authorities so much, just behave yourself and that problem kind of solves itself...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-90674450700370447092015-02-05T21:05:03.706+00:002015-02-05T21:05:03.706+00:00Uncomfortable reading at times for me speaking as ...Uncomfortable reading at times for me speaking as a Probation Officer, but you make many salient points and I think you are spot on in a lot of what you say...unfortunatley. i don't think offending behaviour programmes make a jot of difference for a lot of clients on them. There was once meant to be a period of preparing and looking to motivate people before they went on a course, not any more. I have just taken over a load of cases from another PO and who is nice enough and I like as a colleague. I was sat cringing however at the patronising way she spoke with her clients, using jargon etc and just talking over them. Keep challenging, good on yer! P.S take no notice of Simon Garden whoever he is, it's quite reassuring to see the sanctomonious way he has spoken to you above and gives an insight into what sort of PO or PSO he/she is, he/she has been a constant whinge on this blog since it started. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-55307505950860433952015-02-05T20:49:28.448+00:002015-02-05T20:49:28.448+00:00Ah, but which half?Ah, but which half?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-59353978783784450082015-02-05T20:44:38.716+00:002015-02-05T20:44:38.716+00:0015.07. I think you need the Daily Mail website for...15.07. I think you need the Daily Mail website for a proper fix. Go on, knock yourself out!.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-61774005735546384942015-02-05T20:10:20.868+00:002015-02-05T20:10:20.868+00:00Anon 11:12 I think a lot of Probation staff are aw...Anon 11:12 I think a lot of Probation staff are aware of what is required to 'survive' in prison, and make allowances for that when a person is first released. But if I could pull this discussion back to the personal for a moment..... It probably goes without saying that a probation client will be mainly concerned about him/herself and how s/he is treated by Probation, but it should be remembered that a PO/OM may also have 50,60, even 80 other Probation clients they regularly see. Both players in this 'professional encounter' (I'll refrain from calling it a relationship) are human beings, and it is a tad unfair in my view to make one's PO/OM the focal point of one's antipathy with the system and all its failings. Your PO/OM may well share your views, and may have actively campaigned locally and nationally (as in deed you can) to change things via their MP's etc, and feel as frustrated as you do. First impressions count both ways (and I am not referring to what someone has done to get them to Probation), however, to be brutally honest, if you (colloquial you) constantly attend your probation appointments in an attitude of resentment and hostility then I am likely eventually to expend a little less energy on attempting to break down that barrier with you and save it for other clients who are less hard work. Sorry if that offends, but being human cuts both ways and emotional energy/resilience is not limitless, and that's the reality. There is only so much hostility I can suck up in any one week. <br />Deb<br />PS. The guest blog title cuts both ways. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-9012526992346204122015-02-05T17:46:31.454+00:002015-02-05T17:46:31.454+00:00I didn't enjoy this blog - just full of moanin...I didn't enjoy this blog - just full of moaning and I don't believe half of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-67705900360017791342015-02-05T17:31:34.595+00:002015-02-05T17:31:34.595+00:00The post obviously hit a very sore spot with Mr Ga...The post obviously hit a very sore spot with Mr Garden and Netnipper. The Probation Client is more than entitled to his views on the service because that is his experience of the service. I suspect it is also unfortunately the experience of a lot of probation's clients in the current day and age. I read the blog as an invitation to look at why clients feel they get a raw deal from probation and a number of posters have responded to this in like spirit. Sniping at someone simply because you disagree with them is counter productive and says more about you than the person making the original post. I do not think it is at all self indulgent to wish to be treated with dignity, respect and common courtesy no matter who you are or whether or not you have committed a crime and are now on probation. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-39800372738809675622015-02-05T15:17:53.247+00:002015-02-05T15:17:53.247+00:00As an offender, but not a current client, at least...As an offender, but not a current client, at least not in the last 9 months, and a regular reader and contributer to this blog, I have to say that my experiences over the years with probstion, (and they've been extensive), have not brought me to a place where I feel as much anger or loathing towards the service as todays guest blogger.<br />I agree with him/her that the services extended (and the way their presented to) the client has deminished and reduced over many years now. I also agree that the direction of the service has changed, leaning more towards an extention of custody, rather then support and client needs based ethos.<br />But thats NOMS, run from a prison formulated understanding of the CJS, with staff recruited from the prison service. Staff that have been recruited from prison managerial possitions and not from the 'coal face' where really you get the practicle as well as the theory.<br />Theres no doubt that the whole of the CJS is broken, courts, prison, probation, cps you name it, its knackered.<br />The reason it's broken is because polititions find it an easy target to raise emotion in an attempt to gain votes. Unrealistic promises to victims, longer sentences, less cautions ect ect, all create an unrealistic and somewhat utopian expectation of what the CJS can deliver for them. But as these policies are politically driven by people with no experience of the CJS, they frequently go wrong, or have unforseen consequences or impact on other areas of the CJS. Who takes the rap? Front line staff, whether probation officer police officer or prison officer, anyone but the polititions. It becomes not about resolution of a problem, but the attriubution of blame for allowing that problem to occur. Blame game. And Blame doesn't make a possitive impact on the CJS. It strangles it, prevents it from development.<br />IMO, the only way to have a functional and effective CJS is to remove the politics, and allow those at the coal face, trained and qualified, to get on with it.<br />I think focusing anger or bitterness at the service as it now presents itself is missing the mark by quite a margin.<br />It's a bit like blaming the monkey for the organ grinders mistakes to coin an old phase.<br /><br />"Getafix"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-13767667939369001412015-02-05T15:07:22.352+00:002015-02-05T15:07:22.352+00:00Anon 10:19
I come here for a laugh. When you get ...Anon 10:19<br /><br />I come here for a laugh. When you get disgruntled that's when I LOL!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-32902233599744024762015-02-05T14:54:11.431+00:002015-02-05T14:54:11.431+00:00Well look, it's clear that this Gentleman who ...Well look, it's clear that this Gentleman who has contributed this blog today has not received the service he feels he deserves from PO's/OM's in work time and by looks of it he's being lynched by PO's/OM's outside of work time.<br /><br />Interesting that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-38460011516325296222015-02-05T14:23:26.014+00:002015-02-05T14:23:26.014+00:00Sometimes on here you have to be a bit offensive t...Sometimes on here you have to be a bit offensive to prove your point, I mean, come here and say you are a Client and that you have had bad experiences with the Service, a few will attempt to make a slight agreement with you, the majority will gang up on you and attempt to take your own experiences to pieces and rubbish them worthless.<br /><br />The reasoning behind this: You are an Offender and they are in charge.<br /><br />The criticism they have with MOJ, NOMS, Grayling etc are the same ones that they themselves expound towards their Clients on a day to day basis and they themselves so singularly fail to see it. Hypocrites.<br /><br />Of course if you uphold your corporate Zen then that's a fine way to be. You can go to work and it's like a mere extension of a reality TV show, no effect on the equanimous mindset...<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-26748502558559419252015-02-05T14:22:33.655+00:002015-02-05T14:22:33.655+00:00Simon is spot on. Simon is spot on. Probationrelichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18112270151571230925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-81443222391223348542015-02-05T14:08:21.315+00:002015-02-05T14:08:21.315+00:00You can easily blame those working for probation, ...You can easily blame those working for probation, they are more than happy to uphold the crap from MOJ and recieve payment for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-47958355440193873322015-02-05T14:05:41.679+00:002015-02-05T14:05:41.679+00:00Simon Garden in a character out of "The Parol...Simon Garden in a character out of "The Parole Officer" so whomever is behind the postings clearly wanders through the probation office like they are in some hollywood movie.<br /><br />You are all little pieces of shit swimming about in a toilet bowl.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-22762366510525952522015-02-05T12:39:24.543+00:002015-02-05T12:39:24.543+00:00I would be interested to see the Probation Officer...I would be interested to see the Probation Officers view of the difficulties with Probation client, but thank you for giving us an insight into your experiences. One of my first questions after introducing myself is always 'tell me how you got to this place in your life' and find it baffling that any officer wouldn't ask a similar question and then take time to listen to the answer. I was trained in the Dip PS, got to Probation after advise assist and befriend were consigned to the bin and yet all my training, mentoring and peer advice continues to emphasise the individual as key to their own rehabilitation. I also try to pass these values on to new trainees both in discussions and by example. You've either had exceptionally bad luck with your string of officers, other areas work very differently to my experiences or maybe, just maybe something about the way you interact with those staff contributes to what you clearly identify as a negative relationship. Just a thought. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com