Fight the cuts - Defend Probation

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June 27, 2008

MPs call for support for staff in CJS - EDM tabled

Early Day Motion support CJS staff

Neil Gerrard MP, Chair of the Justice Unions' Parliamentary Group, has tabled an early day motion calling for support for taff in the Criminal Justice System.

EDM 1686 says ‘That this House recognises the contribution made to public safety by the police, prison officers, probation, courts and Crown Prosecution Service staff; and therefore calls on the Government without delay to ensure that staff in the criminal justice system can carry out their statutory duties in an efficient and effective manner’.

Currently 42 MPs, from all Parties, have signed the EDM 1686. Check if your MP is on the list.

If your MP has not so far supported the EDM, please email them and ask them to do so. You can find your MP - and an email link - by clicking the link below and typing in your postcode.

Find your MP

You can download a 'model' letter to adapt here Download model letter

Posted by kfalcon at 10:57 AM

Unions alert MPs to pressures on the Justice System

The Justice Under Stress rally, organised by by Napo, the POA and PCS, with the support of the Police Federation at the House of Commons on 9 June, to alert MPs and Peers to the funding crisis that enveloping the criminal justice system, proved a huge success.

Over 150 justice union members crowded into Committee Room 14 to hear a full platform of speakers, including MPs and Peers from all Parties, express their support for a properly funded and resourced criminal justice system

The rally saw the launch of a parliamentary campaign aimed at securing a fair financial deal for the services and a criminal justice system that protects the public, not one that puts it at risk. The campaign is supported by the all Party Justice Unions’ Parliamentary Group of MPs.

A report, detailing the common concerns of the unions and the Police Federation, was also launched on the day and circulated to MPs. A copy of the report - Justice under Stress - can be downloaded below.

/download Justice Under Stress

Posted by kfalcon at 10:30 AM

June 04, 2008

Justice Under Stress Rally 9 June - final details

Download a copy of this flyer

Directions to the House of Commons

Posted by kfalcon at 12:21 PM

April 29, 2008

Justice Under Stress - Rally 9 June

The Justice Unions’ Group is organising a rally and lobby of Parliament on Monday 9th June from 14.30 to 16.30 in Committee Room 14 of the House of Commons.

This unique event will bring together members from the justice unionsPOA, PCS and Napo to make MPs aware of joint concerns
- attacks on pay and conditions
- cutbacks to services
- creeping privatisation
- and the impact of all three on service delivery

Speakers at the Rally include:
Neil Garrard MP
Baroness Gibson
David Howarth MP
Lord Ramsbotham
Edward Garnier MP
Tony Benn
Elfyn Llwyd MP
Judy McKnight
David Drew MP
Lord Graham
Dianne Abbott MP
Chris Huhne MP
Ben Priestley, Unison
John McDonnell MP

Branches - particularly branches local to London - have been invited to send delegations to the rally. Please let your branch know if you are interested in going.

The Justice Under Stress event is planned to coincide with the TUC’s Speak Up For Public Services lobby on public sector pay which is being held from 12.30 to 14.30 in Central Hall Westminster.

This event is not planned as a mass rally but rather a representative lobby, however members attending the Justice Under Stress Rally, who can get to London for 12.00 are welcome to aattend the TUC rally also.

More information will be sent out to branches in the coming weeks.

Posted by kfalcon at 12:51 PM

April 24, 2008

Probation Faces Budget and Staffing Crisis - CCJS report published

An important new report fromt he Centre for Crime and Justice Studies - Probation Resources, Staffing and Workloads 2001-2008 - was published today.

The research, commissioned by Napo, shows:

- Since 2001, the Probation budget has grown by 21 percent in real terms. However, in recent years it has declined, by 9 percent in 2005-06 and 2 percent in 2006-07. The government plans further year on year budget reductions of 3 per cent per year for the next three years.
- The recently announced £40 million for implementing community orders in place of short prison sentences is unlikely to compensate for the impact of long term and continuing budget reductions.
- Probation caseloads increased by 23 percent between 2002 and 2006, and by 47 percent since 1997.
- Frontline probation staff grew by 21 percent between 2002 and 2006. However, growth was concentrated among senior and management grades, as well as the less qualified Probation Service Officers. The numbers of fully qualified and trainee Probation Officers fell by 9 percent.

A full copy of the report can be found on the CCJS website

Read on for the press release that accompanied the publication of the report today.

The publication picked up considerable national coverage - here is the BBC report.

Continue reading "Probation Faces Budget and Staffing Crisis - CCJS report published"

Posted by kfalcon at 10:33 AM

February 05, 2008

EDM Latest - contact your MP

EDM Latest

The two Early Day Motions on probation resources continue to gather support.

Currently EDM 528 (tabled by Edward Garnier) has 62 signatures and EDM 470 (tabled by Neil Gerrard) has 70 signatures.

It is important for members to continue to ask their local MPs to sign the EDM as we build up pressure on Ministers. Let’s make it 100 signatures each by the end of February!

Get a model letter to use when contacting your MP by clicking on the 'continue reading' tag below.

Check if your MP has already signed by clicking here. Just type in the EDM number.

If you don't know who your MP is you can find them by clicking here. Just type in your postcode.

Continue reading "EDM Latest - contact your MP"

Posted by kfalcon at 01:31 PM