Once again the very popular website Prisoners Families Voices has returned to the thorny issue of recall. There's no question that numbers being recalled to prison for missing probation appointments have rocketed over recent years. A quick glance at the website will show just how strong feeling is about the issue, which on the face of it is surprising because it is quite straightforward. You get released automatically from prison part way through a sentence and one of the licence conditions is to report when required to probation. Missed appointments = recall - simples!
This has always been the case for as long as I can remember, so what's the problem? Well again a quick glance at the complaints on PFV shows clearly that the reason so many appointments are missed is because the experience is viewed as utterly useless. We all know about the '5 minute interview' when the guy's mate doesn't even turn the engine off. Nothing meaningful can happen during this most fleeting of 'tick box' experiences and I think as a result it's quite understandable that clients say to themselves 'sod that for a game of soldiers - I'll not bother'.
But that's not all. It's about the way clients are increasingly being treated nowadays by the modern probation service. Time after time the complaints on PFV revolve around endless changes of officer. Ever since the transition from the days when probation officers saw all clients, to the current position whereby they only see high risk cases, a lot of the others have been getting a raw deal in my view from a pool of ever-changing probation services officers. It's not their fault, but management have allowed a situation to develop whereby cases are merely seen as needing to be 'processed' in terms of making sure they report so as to achieve targets, but with little or no encouragement as to anything more constructive.
I know I could be accused of making sweeping generalisations, but there's no doubt in my mind that for many, particularly low risk clients, the quality of engagement with the service is just not good enough. The complaints on PFV speak for themselves. Common sense says no meaningful work can be undertaken if a client keeps seeing different officers and the focus of attention is merely on just getting them to turn up. In such circumstances I can quite see why clients are disinclined to report than engage in a process that seems pointless. I think I'd be inclined to do the same, so angry would it make me feel.
I'm actually going to go a bit further and suggest that some officers actively strive to encourage non-reporting by subversive behaviour. I find it deeply offensive to be suggesting such a thing, but sadly I have rather too often witnessed the glee with which non-appearance is greeted. Of course recall 'gets shot' of a client for a period.
So, in essence I feel the complaints being aired fairly regularly on the PFV website are justified and as a result deserve a comment from somebody who represents the Service nationally. Unfortunately I'm not at all sure who that person might properly be. That in itself is an extremely unsatisfactory state of affairs of course. But I'm sure senior people read this stuff on a daily basis, so I wonder if we can tempt any to put their head above the parapet for a response?
But what's the solution?
ReplyDeleteWith regard to ever-changing officers; the service needs to do something to better retain staff. No doubt about it. I'm trying to leave because I don't feel I am able to do the job I WANT to do, because of all the red-tape and paperwork I am told I HAVE to do.
With regard to recalls. Not sure what other areas do, but professional judgement gives some scope for flexibility. We only recall when risk of harm is actively seen to be increasing or compliance is beyond unacceptable. We have other schemes to refer to as a final alternative to recall.
I found both those articles fairly well-written and the appropriate balance is there: They see there are people there doing their jobs, but there is a problem with the system.
Wake up MoJ & NOMS.
A177,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again and sorry to hear the red-tape and paperwork are driving you to try and get out. I agree about retention - but it's morale as well isn't it? Pissed off officers aren't as committed to always putting clients needs first.
On recall - of course there should be discretion, but again stressed and irritable officers just go for the easier option - breach.
Thanks again for commenting,
Jim
I work with "low risk" clients and I can assure you they are not just a tick box exercise in my office. However I completely agree about changing officers. Probation staff get so frustrated when there is constant change and staff movement meaning offenders might get 3-4 different officers plus duty cover for absence means they might have met 6,7,8+ officers. But I will 100% say that I do not know an officer who would recall to get rid of a case etc, it's not a decision taken lightly and we are required and made to do as much as possible to secure compliance and have to prove this in our report. So definately feel that is an unfair comment, from my experience.
ReplyDeleteI would rather turn up for a meaningless 5 minute tick box interview than be serving the rest of my sentence in prison. Only the idiots don't stay the right side of probation. But then a lot of criminals are idiots in my experience. Or at least they act that way when they get back on the drink and drugs.
ReplyDeleteIf you want help then ask nicely and put some effort in yourself.
OK. So, as I understand it, it's a choice between keeping a five minute probation appointment once a week or so and staying in jail 24/7. And some folk still get recalled for not turning up? And moan about it? And wonder why they are asked to attend thinking skills programmes?
ReplyDeleteIndeed! But the reporting session really should be meaningful in my submission.
DeleteThe Probation 'Service' is meant to be a 'service' not a clocking in and out machine which is what is has become. I had one of the most fantastic probation officers anyone could wish for and he helped me change my life around. What service does it offer now apart from a clocking in and out machine which takes less than 5 minutes?
ReplyDeletei am on licence and have been released from prison and nearly finished my licence supervision and have been involved in an incident where the police arrested me and charged me with an offence. will my probation officer recall me even though i have 3 weeks left on my licence and the charge is differnent from my orignal offence. can someone help thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid it's difficult to say definitely, but being charged with an offence need not lead to recall automatically. It will depend on the type of alleged offence, how serious the allegation is, whether it's admitted or not and if there are other concerns that might make application for recall necessary. I suggest keeping your officer informed and make sure appointments are not missed.
Deletehow long does it take for an probation officer to recall and prepare paperwork and revoke licence.
ReplyDeleteIf it's felt to be urgent or an emergency, a couple of hours. If not, a few days. The key bit is the decision, to go for recall or not.
DeleteOne missed appointment would i get recall
ReplyDelete