We're All in This Together

With all the excitement focussed on the Murdoch empire, I've neglected to mention the Criminal Justice in Meltdown lobby of Parliament on 6th July. This was in effect the launch of a joint campaign by NAPO, PCS, POA and Police Federation against cuts and further privatisation within the Justice sector. The full joint briefing document can be downloaded from a link to be found here.

Things are speeding up somewhat because Ken Clarke has announced two further prison closures, HMP Latchmere House in West London and HMP Brockhill in Redditch. Latchmere is a 'Cat D' establishment with an interesting history. It was initially used in the First World War as a hospital for soldiers suffering from 'shell shock' and in the Second World War by MI5 for the interrogation of enemy agents when known as Camp 020. Brockhill is a relatively modern but run down 'Cat C' establishment.

Along with this annoucement, a further nine prisons are to be the subject of 'market testing'. These are HMP's Lindholme, Moorland, Hatfield in Yorkshire, Wolds in East Yorkshire, Acklington, Castington in Northumberland, Onley near Rugby, Coldingly in Surrey and Durham. If the private sector win these contracts it will mean 15% of the total will move out of public control. It should be noted that following the HMP Birmingham contract being awarded to G4S, they have announced 130 redundancies. It remains to be seen what the POA response will be to all this, but they are between a rock and a hard place in having to try and win these contracts against private sector competition.

Following Michael Spurr's disgraceful letter from NOMS HQ, in addition to a robust response from NAPO, it's gratifying to see a joint statement from one employer, the London Probation Trust signed by NAPO and UNISON:-

"As highlighted in today's LPT Direct message, Michael Spurr, Chief Executive of NOMS, has written to the Chairs of Probation Trusts outlining NOMS' intention to review the future shape of probation services.  The review will include considering the possibility of putting "core probation services" out for competition.

This announcement is in line with the government's agenda to increase competition for public services and introduce payment by results.  This is a challenging time for probation staff and the letter, which was copied to Chief Executives and the recognised trade unions, has caused considerable anxiety about the future of our service.

The continued delivery of probation work by highly skilled and trained probation practitioners in the public sector is a shared aim of the Trust Board, Senior Management Team and trade unions alike.  The realisation of this in a commercial and competitive environment will rely on mounting strong bids to retain our work.  It means that some aspects of service delivery may need to change and we will have to look at new ways of engaging partners.

A joint approach to these challenges will be underpinned by our shared values:

Delivery of probation work requires highly skilled and trained probation practitioners.

Advice to Courts and the Parole Board must be based on a sound and impartial professional assessment.

Rehabilitation is based on a positive working relationship between practitioner and offender.

Broad consultation and inclusive decision making is key to the future success of London Probation Trust.

We want London Probation Trust to influence the discussions and to help shape our future so that the voice of frontline staff is heard.  We are jointly committed to keeping you informed about developments."


In addition to significant closures of courts and cuts in legal aid, the Police have their own problems in relation to cost saving measures and wider reforms. At the same time they find themselves engulfed in a public confidence row as part of the widespread collateral damage from the phone-hacking scandal. They shouldn't worry too much though as I think I heard their confidence rating is currently running at 63%, compared with MP's and journalists in the low teens. I'd love to know where probation stands?