A Few Observations 3

This is the point where I'm reminded of an elderly lady who, having died and the house was being cleared out, her relatives discovered that she had meticulously kept and stored everything for future use. In amongst piles of stuff there were three boxes of string, one labelled 'string 4 feet to 8 feet' another said 'string 2 feet to 4 feet' and the third said 'string too short to keep'. These are the bits too short to deserve a post of their own.

According to the Sunday Times of 17th April, but sadly hidden behind the Murdoch paywall, Ken Clarke and the Ministry of Justice are intent on getting prisoners to construct their own jails. It explains that "construction companies are to be encouraged to train inmates in trades such as bricklaying, plumbing and electrical work while they build secure accommodation for themselves." I haven't seen this reported elsewhere, but sounds a very good idea. It is however not new or novel as I have previously posted about HMP North Sea Camp which was constructed by Borstal boys in 1935. The lads were marched to the site from Stafford and lived in tents until their permanent accommodation was completed. Now wouldn't that be an idea! Every time the classic war film 'Dirty Dozen' comes on TV it reminds me of this.

Another very interesting prison innovation is described in this article from the Guardian about HMP High Down and their pioneering training restaurant developed with charitable funding. An absolutely brilliant concept and a clear demonstration of how prison Governors have succeeded in hanging onto the freedom to innovate in stark contrast to the Probation Service. I notice from the charity website that the BBC have made a documentary 'The Prison Restaurant' and it's due to be screened on BBC1 at 10.35pm 26th April. I suspect it will be well worth watching and help show best practice within the Prison Service.

Unfortunately the Prison Service in Birmingham is heading into very stormy waters with the Prison Officers Association decision to ballot members on industrial action following the announcement to privatise the jail from October. This is not that surprising as Birmingham will be the first state-run prison to go private as opposed to new-build prisons. It is widely reported that up to 3,000 troops have received rudimentary training in prison operation, but I can't help feeling this decision by Ken Clarke to deliberately take on the POA will inevitably end in tears. It will be very unsettling for many prisoners and it is to be hoped we do not have a long hot summer that encourages inmate indiscipline.

Finally, it's depressing to see from Jonathan Ledger's NAPO blog that some Probation Trusts have started breaking ranks and cosying up to the 'big boys' in the bidding process for the Unpaid Work Contracts. Nottinghamshire are going into partnership with Serco and are now joined by Essex teaming up with Sodexo. This may ultimately prove to be a pragmatic decision, but it will all get a bit nasty if one Trust finds itself bidding against other Trusts. The trouble is it probably makes Ken Clarke smile.