tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post8403801539496676649..comments2024-03-18T23:21:08.363+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: Every Vote CountsJim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-56721208694003479972016-06-23T05:35:44.207+01:002016-06-23T05:35:44.207+01:00'Self-harming rise' among prisoners on ind...'Self-harming rise' among prisoners on indefinite sentences<br /><br />The rate of self-harm by inmates serving indefinite prison sentences in England and Wales has risen by almost 50% in four years, figures suggest.<br /><br />Last year, there were more than 2,500 acts of self-harm by prisoners serving imprisonment for public protection, or IPP, sentences, at a higher rate than among those serving fixed sentences. The Prison Reform Trust said it showed IPP prisoners were in "despair". The Ministry of Justice said it was urgently looking at IPP offenders.<br /><br />IPP sentences were scrapped in 2012, but thousands of inmates are still waiting to be released. According to new Ministry of Justice statistics, which were compiled by the Prison Reform Trust, there were 2,537 incidents of self-harm among the population of 4,100 IPP prisoners last year. The figures suggest rates of self-harm among IPP prisoners have gone up significantly every year for the last four years.<br /><br />They showed there were 550 incidents of self-harm per 1,000 IPP prisoners last year. That compares with 324 incidents per 1,000 prisoners on determinate sentences and 200 per 1,000 prisoners serving life sentences. Of those still serving IPPs, 3,300 have served more than the minimum sentence they were given, while 400 have served at least five times the minimum sentence they received.<br />Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-91356368613466115452016-06-23T00:22:12.343+01:002016-06-23T00:22:12.343+01:00http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36598560
This is par...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36598560<br /><br />This is part of the reason why we are in the mess we are in. This article refers to 'Offender Managers'. No one knows what that means. Today I met a young man for the first time and completed the pile of forms, repeating over and over again his name and date of birth and both of us signing each individual document. I started by saying that throughout this paperwork, he would see me being referred to by various titles, Offender Manager, Supervising Officer, Responsible Officer; but they all mean me. And I am your Probation Officer. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-57540638671164672242016-06-22T17:44:58.761+01:002016-06-22T17:44:58.761+01:00A useful Blog Summation and apposite Comments - th...A useful Blog Summation and apposite Comments - thank you all.<br /><br />I had long made up my mind and think Remain is the best option primarily because we need unity between nations to lessen the prospect of armed conflict of which there is far too much already, with millions stateless and living precariously every day.<br /><br />I am a little encouraged by the results in the Italian Municipal elections, the folk most at risk seem to be finding something of a political voice, in other places also.<br /><br />I was particularly helped by Paul Mason's latest write up in The Guardian and finally amused by the cover of the new Private Eye which seems to clearly understand the new kinder, gentler politics.<br /><br />I wish there had been one tenth of the public outpouring when prison officer Lorraine Barwell was murdered at work last year but it seems healthy that folk seem to genuinely care about Jo Cox's murder as a decent representative politician, doing her considerable best.<br /><br />https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/20/brexit-fake-revolt-eu-working-class-culture-hijacked-help-elite<br /><br />https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ClfCRfYWMAA5FXx.jpgAndrew_S_Hattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09115192522317353139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-79385910574745735342016-06-22T17:34:27.064+01:002016-06-22T17:34:27.064+01:00Remain for me. I don't see immigration as the ...Remain for me. I don't see immigration as the huge issue it is being made to be although would like some control. Want to be a part of European collaboration but not a federated state. Economically think we are on balance advantaged by being a part of the single market. I have a favourable view of other European countries and think we do have influence that matters. I do believe there is a democratic deficit and in part think that is because we do not understand or engage on a European level. On balance 'remain' but further reform needed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-2366550921928843702016-06-22T15:59:51.407+01:002016-06-22T15:59:51.407+01:00Just as I feel!Just as I feel!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-39975408351504321272016-06-22T13:30:08.304+01:002016-06-22T13:30:08.304+01:00"The only vote for working people..." Ha..."The only vote for working people..." Have you even considered the other side of that argument? Vote wisely, indeed. Inform yourself before you vote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-21716501669569080962016-06-22T11:43:14.823+01:002016-06-22T11:43:14.823+01:00In today's Guardian by Irvine Welsh
However w...In today's Guardian by Irvine Welsh<br /><br />However we vote, the elites will win the EU referendum<br /><br />The debate is essentially a neoliberal argument: which is the better way for citizens to be ripped off, as part of the EU or as an independent UK?<br /><br />One of the reasons European integration has stalled is because the EU has adopted this neoliberal model of globalisation, shelving the higher social ideals of a united Europe. These are still wearily trotted out in the grudging rhetoric of a non-taxpaying corporation throwing a Christmas party in an orphanage, and are barely understood by their alleged proponents. With Germany posited as the creditor nation within this model, it is inevitable that its interests will differ from debtor ones, such as the UK and Greece. As integration has floundered, we are stuck with an unelected commission-rather-than-parliament-led EU, anathema for democrats.<br /><br />Of course the other, more idealistic side to Europe is evoked in desperate cynicism by remain neoliberal politicians. This, laughably, concerns our “rights”; even as they negotiate with the US to institute TTIP and sign them over to the multinationals. (Rest assured, there will be no referendum on that any time soon!) Yes, the same rights imperialistic UK governments have shown absolutely zero concern with over the past 30 years.<br /><br />This nonsense illustrates how, in the age of neoliberalism, that ideology has co-opted all major institutions. After the Greece debacle, it’s hard not to see the EU as just another shady wing of the IMF and the World Bank. But the British government, stripped of the postwar settlement, is now a patchwork quilt of fusty elites, and giving it further dominion over our lives is at least as unwise. The plight of 3,000 refugee children testifies to their contempt for “outsiders”, while Hillsborough reminds us that when our establishment conspires against its own citizens, the bureaucrats of Brussels can’t come close to matching its toxicity.<br /><br />The EU referendum is an internecine dispute among the privileged, who use tub-thumping nationalism as a way of convincing others that they hold a stake in this pathetic game. The creeping dog-whistle racism (of antisemitism and Islamophobia) festering in sections of the Labour party, and right at the top of the Conservative party, has undoubtedly been kicked up a notch through its incubation in the xenophobic hothouse of an EU exit campaign.<br /><br />One cast-iron guarantee in our polarising age is that this unedifying chauvinism is only going to get uglier. The other certainty is that whether you back red or black in the tawdry, crumbling casino of neoliberalism, and whatever the slimy croupiers of the mainstream media urge, it’s the house that invariably wins.Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-18904067151032392212016-06-22T11:27:34.489+01:002016-06-22T11:27:34.489+01:00There are no shortage of repellent characters in b...There are no shortage of repellent characters in both campaigns. But people may want to ask themselves - what outcome would the impovrished people of Greece want? What would the legions of unemployed youth in Spain and Italy want? The masses demonstrating against TTIP across the continent want? The French workers trying to protect their rights? Alternatively, what do the IMF want you to vote? The World Bank? The WTO? The paucity of this debatr has barely touched the real issues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-31138277438689387382016-06-22T11:15:35.515+01:002016-06-22T11:15:35.515+01:00The referendum debate has illustrated how politici...The referendum debate has illustrated how politicians are at ease with telling lies to manipulate opinion. Both sides have engaged in scaremongering and have not allowed facts and evidence to get in the way of ideological aims. There is nothing new in this and we all know how ideology rather than expert evidence drove the TR propaganda. Then, following the killing of an MP there is suddenly a political urge to talk about a cleaner, more decent politics - the need to find consensus and build bridges between opposing views instead of engaging in dog whistle politics. The dogs will soon be barking again.<br /><br />According to his former advisor, Cameron is an instinctive leaver. He never expected to get a majority and expected any proposed referendum would be vetoed by the Lib Dems. <br /><br />The unions say we must remain because of employment rights, but when you look at the 'flexible' markets and free-for-all, the EU has not offered UK workers much protection, as the millions in insecure employment will testify. <br />The EU is neo-liberal as epitomised by its support for TTIP. The TUC argues that one right that may go is the 'right for workers’ representatives to receive information and be consulted, particularly in the context of restructuring.” Well, we currently have this right and a fat lot of difference it's making to the behaviour of Sodexo and Working Links and being in the EU has done nothing for the thousands at BHS who are losing their jobs and are unlikely to get the pensions they expected. <br /><br />There are unsavory characters on both sides of the debate and whichever you vote you end up having to wear a nose-peg.<br /><br />I think I will abstain.Netnippernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-30587148150549985732016-06-22T10:28:43.039+01:002016-06-22T10:28:43.039+01:00I am still struggling, my heart says leave, but my...I am still struggling, my heart says leave, but my head says stay. And I do believe that it will be easier to fight the fight for change from within, rather than be outside with reduced power. mlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-81336835212924164582016-06-22T09:49:33.873+01:002016-06-22T09:49:33.873+01:00How sad that simply holding & expressing a vie...How sad that simply holding & expressing a view - or a range of views - about this referendum is denounced as "political propaganda". Launching the ukip poster was propaganda; standing outside 10 Downing St with an anonymised lectern was propaganda.<br /><br />Living through the mendacious, hate-filled campaigning by both sides has been a deeply unpleasant experience. I suspect the seeds of vitriol this campaign has planted in some vulnerable minds will be most regrettable- the recent killing of a member of parliament could be the first example? Regardless of the result we should expect a rise of far right nationalism; perhaps as significant as in the 1980's. The next few years will be bitter, infused with the resentment & anger if whichever 'side' loses the referendum.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-90989040264163335132016-06-22T08:22:03.805+01:002016-06-22T08:22:03.805+01:00Of course it's political propaganda. So is Pro...Of course it's political propaganda. So is Project Fear, and so is you saying "A vote to Brexit/Leave is a vote for UKIP, the BNP and a Tory dictatorship."<br /><br />(I agree with you, by the way, and will be voting Remain tomorrow, but your comment above is arrogantly dismissive of the genuine reasons many people have for voting Leave, just as the articles in Jim's blog have described).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-69320023357552185382016-06-22T08:16:06.539+01:002016-06-22T08:16:06.539+01:00An excellent piece, although I voted by post some ...An excellent piece, although I voted by post some days ago I completely understand both sides of the arguments and have nervousness about whether I have done the right thing! <br />There will be a back lash for Cameron , he will go whatever for the sake of party unity and I predict May to be the next PM.<br />As for labour , they are riding two horses in the race and will gain credit either way. Stay and they made the difference,go and they are standing up for the disgruntled worker.<br />Whatever happens , the Tories have divided the country irrevocably and picking up the pieces will take years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-9611608744650753842016-06-22T08:14:29.684+01:002016-06-22T08:14:29.684+01:00This is political propaganda. A vote to Brexit/Lea...This is political propaganda. A vote to Brexit/Leave is a vote for UKIP, the BNP and a Tory dictatorship.<br /><br />I wish we were not having this regressive vote. The only vote for working people is to REMAIN IN THE EU. Vote and vote wisely.Probation Officernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-75991538413400544702016-06-22T08:10:26.179+01:002016-06-22T08:10:26.179+01:00Excellent bit of blogging, JB.
I've already c...Excellent bit of blogging, JB.<br /><br />I've already cast my postal vote; remain, because for me it represents hope there will be checks & balances on future UK govenments. But its fair to counter that with "there haven't been any yet - look at Thatcher, Blair, Cameron." Perhaps I've misled myself? Ultimately I found the tasteless nationalism of the 'brexiteers' unpalatable & couldn't countenance voting with NF, BNP or EDL supporters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-84765633648776828292016-06-22T07:49:17.097+01:002016-06-22T07:49:17.097+01:00Excellent summary. Anyone falling for the "re...Excellent summary. Anyone falling for the "remain" might want to check out the TTIP which is being steamrollered through by the EU. Also bear in mind finace minister Schlauble- the man who insisted Greece must be made an example of- has clearly stated the UK will be joining the euro eventually, whether it likes it or not. Careful what you wish for....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com