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October 07, 2006
Debate on Future direction of the Probation Service
Speakers:
Helen Edwards
Roger Hill
Martin Wargent
Helen Edwards confirms that there will be a Bill on Probation and NOMS and contestability will be a key feature of that. She also stated that Civil Servants cannot speak to the media, (for example in defence of probation) if they have not been given permission by the Home Secretary.
Roger Hill stated that he will not defend a service that is not competent, he will however defend a competent Probation Service. He gave example of speaking to the media, about managing risks and the recall of parolees and is quite clear that the media and general public have no idea about the complexity involved in deciding whether or not to recall an individual who has re-offended/breach conditions of his/her parole licence. He told members that more needed to be done to ensure that public understands the work of the Probation Service.
Martin Wargent made his final speech at Napo's AGM. He gave his personal view on Public Value Partnership prospectus. He argued that the Probation Service is being set up to fail and in concluding
quoted Churchill's famous speech on not giving into the enemy and no retreat.
Posted by jledger at October 7, 2006 04:03 PM