GOVERNMENT plans to reform prison and probation services and introduce a purchaser-provider split in probation could lead to organisational chaos, a new book claims.
Ministers’ proposals to integrate the services and subject them to “contestability” have their critics, including 69 MPs who backed a parliamentary motion arguing that the probation service should remain part of the public sector.
Reshaping Probation and Prisons, edited by three experts in the field, says that the reforms are moving “too far, too fast”. It argues that contestability will lead to increased fragmentation, rather than the “seamless” service that the Government says it wants to build.
In a preface, the editors say that the probation service has an illustrious past but an uncertain future. They acknowledge that reform is needed urgently, but add: “The proposals are thought by most informed commentators outside of government to be high-risk ones. They have been rushed, and often appear to outsiders as partially thought through. Consultation with key stakeholders has been limited — some would say perfunctory.”
Community Care (Jan 12) explains that opponents of the plans fear that voluntary and public sector providers could be squeezed out as the Government’s vision of a “vibrant mixed economy” of services leads to greater involvement of private firms. Campaigners say that the accountability of privately-run prisons and secure training centres is “insufficient” and that staff lack training and experience.
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They also have concerns that effective management of services could be compromised by corporate vested interest, with private firms advising courts to send offenders to their own facilities. But Community Care reports that Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, is pressing ahead with the reforms despite the “growing tide of rebellion”.
To order a copy of Reshaping Probation and Prisons, go to: www.policypress.co.uk