News came through this week on the progress of the OM review. In a letter to the Trade Unions NOMS Chief Executive Michael Spurr outlined five key principles which underpin his aim to achieve improvements to the current system.
In the formal invitation to consultation, we have been told that the review is based on the views of HMI Prisons and Probation, over 550 employees and partners, including a wide range of prison Governors and staff, (NPS) managers and practitioners and service providers.
The key principles contained in the letter are:
1. An underpinning rehabilitative culture
‘A safe, decent and rehabilitative prison is the essential foundation for empowering prisoners to turn their lives around. We must renew NOMS’ commitment to supporting prison Governors/Directors to drive a truly rehabilitative culture in all prisons. Whilst there are notable instances of very good practice and many staff are undoubtedly passionate about making ‘every contact matter’, we are some significant way from fulfilling the challenging goal of consistency across the estate. This needs to change. ‘
2. Target resources effectively
‘The level and intensity of OM service provision should vary between prisoners, targeted where it is most needed and most effective. In particular, we need to ensure that processes and administrative activities are proportionate and that duplication is eliminated.’
3. A collaborative approach between prisoners and staff, emphasising prisoner agency and relationships with staff
‘There must be a much greater focus on personal relationships and contact between prisoners and staff, to motivate and support the prisoner; to offer hope, empowerment and opportunities to rehabilitate; to challenge pro-criminal attitudes and behaviours; to help prisoners take responsibility for their lives; and to reflect with prisoners on next steps. We also need a greater emphasis on prisoner agency and engagement in a collaborative approach with staff. ‘
4. Skilled and supported OM staff
‘OM staff must be appropriately skilled and supported, with a competency threshold for each role, including a senior manager in each establishment with the lead responsibility for OM. ‘
5. The responsibility for custodial OM should sit with the prison
‘OM staff must be accountable to the Governing Governor/Director, who should be responsible and accountable for the quality of the offender management provided to the establishment’s prisoners. OM must therefore be properly reflected within the performance framework for prisons, utilising effective performance measures that are accorded appropriate weight.’
Our views
All of the above looks to be sensible and should give rise to an interesting debate where I want us to have a strong influence on the final outcomes, so I would welcome feedback from members through their Branches in terms of how you see things. I am particularly exercised by the last of the principles following a meeting that Katie Lomas and I had with Russ Trent who is the new Governor of HMP Wrexham. I reckon his could be a name to watch out for, but I was especially struck by his positive attitude and his recognition of the important role that our members play in the rehabilitative process.
His ideas about listening to the experts and deploying their skills effectively, clearly suggests that he would like to see probation practitioners in the driving seat irrespective of the aim by NOMS to see all of custodial OM responsibility remain in the prison. In response, we were able to point out that previous attempts to reform OM had led to the patchy regime that exists now and that with the best will in the world, making the required transition will need to involve communities and practitioners across prisons and probation to make it work effectively. Russ and his allies will have their work cut out, but as always we stand ready to positively engage.
If (the soon to be constructed) HMP Wrexham is the start of a new model of OM delivery then let’s hope it becomes a beacon for others rather than just another future project for the bureaucrats and politicians to get their clammy hands on. .
Napo and HMI Probation
Since the departure of Paul McDowell as HMI Probation, and the tensions of the pre- TR world, we have felt much more comfortable in our relationship with the inspectorate.
Our meeting with them last week provided us with an opportunity to get a perspective on how they see things post-TR, and for us to let them have the up to date view of the experiences of our members at the sharp end. Whilst we have broad agreement on the areas that still require attention, all of which have been covered in their last published report such as ICT, workload allocation and communication within NPS and across to CRC’s, we do have a different opinion to the inspectorate about just how long it will be before things in the NPS actually start to improve.
Meanwhile, we have released information and exchanges that they will take into consideration during their fieldwork, and we can expect another report fairly soon. We have also asked NOMS to let us see their formal response to the 67 recommendations contained in the HMIP report earlier this year. In a similar vein we have been invited to provide evidence to the National Audit Office as they embark on a Value for Money review of the TR programme. I reckon we should have a bit to say on that one as well.
Community Justice Learning to be reviewed
Proof that Michael Gove has been getting busy with major announcements over the last two weeks. The first that the project which it is intended should replace the PQF with a new training scheme called Community Justice Learning is itself to be reviewed. The announcement which we published on the website this week says:
"The Secretary of State (SoS) for Justice has commissioned a review of probation qualifications and training. The SoS is very interested in this work and has commissioned Sir Martin Narey to undertake the review. He has requested that the procurement exercise for Community Justice Learning contracts is paused while Sir Martin Narey conducts the review. We do not know the timetable for the review at this time but will let you know when further information is provided,”
Apparently Michael Gove visited London Probation recently and amongst others, spoke to some PQF learners. By all accounts he was favourably impressed by what he saw and heard. However, for some reason, this prompted him to have a closer look at Probation training and the review of the PQF. He asked Martin Narey, who is one of the new non-executive directors at the MoJ, to conduct the review. Martin Narey undertook a review of social work training in 2013/14.
We await news about the terms of reference and the extent and timeframe of the review and, as you would expect, have already sought an urgent meeting with Sir Martin.
Review of prison education in England and Wales
The second announcement came in the Commons this week, and it is understood that this review will focus on how prison education supports effective rehabilitation of different segments of prison learners (for example young adults, older prisoners, female offenders, short sentenced prisoners and longer sentence/life sentenced prisoners).
The review has been established to examine:
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scope, quality and effectiveness of current education provision in prisons and Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) holding young adults. In particular the review will consider how provision supports learner progression and the successful rehabilitation of different segments of prison learners;
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domestic and international evidence of what works well in prison education which demonstrably supports rehabilitation of different segments of prison learners
- options for future models of education services in prisons which emphasise effective rehabilitation of different segments of prison learners
Here is a link to the full statement from the SOSfJ. Education in prison: written statement to Parliament. Again, your feedback is invited and I believe it will be listened to.
Cafcass announces further rises in care applications and private law
Some alarm bells ought to be ringing in CAFCASS high command with the news that Cafcass received a total of 943 care applications this August. This figure represents a 4% increase compared to those received in August 2014.
The position on Private Law cases whilst down in comparative terms on the annual figure shows a marked rise this last quarter. In August Cafcass received a total of 2,954 new private law cases. This is an 18% increase on August 2014 levels.
I have asked for requests to be made for Jay Barlow, Dean and myself to catch up with Anthony Douglas and for a meeting with the Minister so that we can understand the implications of this trend on practitioners and resources.
TUC beckons
The first of next week’s blogs will come live and direct from Brighton, where this year’s Congress commences on Sunday afternoon. We have a delegation that well represents the diversity of our membership and I will again be proud to lead it alongside Yvonne Pattison on behalf of Napo. It will have added spice because we will know by then who is to lead the Labour Party, and on Monday the Tories will be trying to force their sinister and vindictive Trade Union Bill through the Commons in what is undoubtedly a blatant attempt to overshadow the TUC. Our two motions on combatting child exploitation and, topically, Electoral Reform should hopefully stimulate some lively debate.
The TUC have organised a major demonstration on Sunday 4th October in Manchester at the Tory party conference to let them know what trade unionists think of their anti-trade union agenda and I intend to be there. There will also be other opportunities hosted by other organisations for members to support the campaign before then, so do look out for events near you.
Sadiq gets the nod
Napo because of its political neutrality cannot and does not involve itself in promoting any candidates involved in a hustings or election campaign. Now that the Labour party has chosen Sadiq Khan (who has a long track record of supporting our cause) as their nomination for London Mayor, I hope that Napo members will join me in congratulating him.
- ilawrence@napo.org.uk's blog
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