Recent media releases from Napo
Probation unions warn that Early Prisoner Release Scheme is a short-term solution
Napo, the largest union representing staff working in the probation Service, was part of a delegation who met with the Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood and James Timpson OBE, Minister for Prisons, Parole and Probation yesterday.
The meeting was convened in response to an urgent request from the probation trade unions who claim that their members are under intolerable pressure due to the combination of inadequate pay and unsustainable workloads which have been exacerbated by the Early Release (ECSL) scheme enacted by the last Government. Read More
Probation union warns of Early Prisoner Release Chaos
Napo, the largest trade union representing Probation staff has condemned the Governments recent announcement that from the 23rd of May, certain categories of Prisoners in 84 premises across the male estate in England and Wales will be eligible for early release up to 70 days prior to the end of their sentence. A similar scheme that has been running in the female prison estate has now been suspended. (Read more)
First Minister to give speech to trade union members at a meeting of Napo and UNISON in Cardiff
Wales’ First Minister will deliver a keynote speech to trade union members at the Napo Cymru Branch and Unison Cymru annual general meeting in Cardiff on 28th June.
Both Napo and Unison have policies in support of devolution of justice in Wales and believe that this would improve justice services for clients, victims and communities. Read more.
Unmanageable probation workloads putting the public at risk, warn unions.
Napo, UNISON and GMB, which represent staff working in the probation service in England and Wales, say crippling workloads will lead to a catastrophic breakdown of the service if the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) does not intervene. Read more.
Napo repeats demand for public inquiry into the probation service
Napo, the Trade Union and Professional Association representing workers in the Probation Service and Family Courts today repeated its call for a public enquiry on the state of the Probation Service in England and Wales. Read more
Probation Union says Reunified service now needs serious investment
Napo, the largest Trade Union in the Probation Service for England and Wales, today welcomed the reunification of the service into full public ownership and control on 26th June.
This major reform follows a previous Government decision to roll back the part-privatisation of Probation in 2014 which was implemented by the then Secretary of State for Justice Chris Grayling. This created 21 privately owned Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRC’S) who had responsibility for managing the supervision of low and medium risk service users with high risk cases being handled by the state run National Probation Service. READ MORE
The Future of Probation: Napo’s response to the Justice Select Committee report. 23.04.2021
Napo has campaigned tirelessly over the last seven years to reunify probation following the disastrous privatisation of probation under the then Secretary of State Chris Grayling. We welcome the interest and scrutiny that the Justice Select Committee has given probation over the years and we welcome this report of their findings.
Napo is deeply shocked with the findings of this report. It is very disappointing that 4 years after David Lammy MP published his report into BAME experiences in the criminal justice system that so much is still left to do to realise his recommendations. READ MORE
Probation union calls on government to scrap plans to send more women to prison
Napo, the Probation and Family Courts Union, has produced a comprehensive briefing on Women and the Criminal Justice System to mark International Women’s Day on 8th March.
The briefing considers the announcement in January by Prisons and Probation Minister, Lucy Frazer, about Government plans for the Women’s Estate and particularly challenges the proposal to build 500 additional prison places for women. READ MORE
Probation and Family Court Union Expresses Anger Over Proposed Pay Freeze
The announcement of a proposed pay freeze for public sector workers has caused serious anger amongst staff in Probation and Family Courts. An emergency motion passed at Napo’s recent National Executive Committee condemns the actions of the government calling it “an insult to the heroic work and the service our members have continued to provide throughout the pandemic”. READ MORE
Napo responds to C19 prompted early prisoner release
Napo welcomes the news that the Secretary of State for Justice has decided to release up to 4000 prisoners early. Along with other stakeholders Napo has called for urgent action to reduce the prison population in light of the COVID 19 crisis. READ MORE
Government reforms blamed for Conner Marshall’s death
An inquest into the murder of Conner Marshall has slammed the government’s Transforming Rehabilitation (TR) agenda, citing its systemic failings as contributing to his death. READ MORE
Today Her Majesty’s Inspector for Probation has published a damning report on the functionality of the National Probation Service (NPS). With 615 staff vacancies across England and Wales the NPS is now struggling to cope with demand as staff experience ever increasing workloads. READ MORE
Union concerns after London NPS deemed "wholly unsatisfactory"
Napo the Trade Union for Probation staff is deeply concerned that the London National Probation Service has been assessed as “wholly unsatisfactory” by the Chief Inspector for Probation Dame Glenys Stacey. Despite the hard working and dedicated staff in probation who have worked tirelessly to try to manage in in an intolerable environment, the report is one of many that has assessed London National Probation Service as failing to meet the required standard. In particular this report focuses on the failure to support victims of sexual and violent crime. Read more
Union welcomes Government U-turn on Probation
Napo, the trade union and professional association for probation staff is today celebrating a major turning point in its campaign to restore Probation to public sector ownership as the Secretary of State for Justice David Gauke, announces a fundamental change in government policy.
The statement by the Minister confirms a decision that will result in the eventual transfer of around 80% of probation work from that currently undertaken by the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCS) to the National Probation Service. The current CRC contracts with the Ministry of Justice are due to be terminated in December 2020. Read More
3rd May 2019
Napo, the largest trade union representing Probation staff in England and Wales, today demanded that the Government must bring all rehabilitation services back into public ownership. The call follows a report by the Public Accounts Committee that makes a series of highly damning conclusions about the state of probation following the Transforming Rehabilitation restructuring implemented by former Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, in 2015 ....Read More
17th April 2019
Probation union welcomes HMI Probation report into Wales but calls for reunification of services
Napo, the largest trade union in the England and Wales probation service, today welcomed many of the findings in the Chief Inspector’s report into the National Probation Service Wales but called for all work to be taken into public ownership. Read more
1st April 2019
South Yorkshire CRC failings due to flawed TR model not staff
Broadly speaking Napo and Unison welcome the HMIP report findings into an inspection of South Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Company (SYCRC) published on the 29 March 2019 – however we do consider that there is a clear contradiction between the “needs improvement findings” for community supervision and the assessment of “excellent leadership”. Read more
28 March 2019
Probation must be returned to public control
Probation union Napo has called on ministers to abandon plans to remarket rehabilitation services after the current model was branded “irredeemably flawed” in an annual report published by probation chief inspector Dame Glenys Stacey today. Read more
15 March 2019
Union anger as yet another probation provider goes into administration
Whilst this news was not completely unexpected it creates more uncertainty for our members across England who work for the Purple Future CRCs owned by Interserve. Just weeks after three CRCs owned by Working Links had to be rescued by another private provide, we now see that Interserve, the second biggest probation provider has also gone into administration. Read more
12 March 2019
Probation union calls for halt to further probation sell of
In advance of the Public Accounts Committee session on 13 March, the major trade union representing Probation staff have called on Ministers to abandon their plans to remarket rehabilitation services following the failures of the 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs). Read More
1st March 2019
National Audit Office calls for a halt to failed probation reforms
The NAO has today published a damming report into Transforming Rehabilitation (TR), the probation reforms introduced by Chris Grayling in 2013. The report states that the reforms have failed to meet the Ministry of Justice targets to reduce re-offending and have cost the taxpayer considerably more than intended. Napo, the Trade Union and Professional Association for Probation staff has repeatedly called on the government to halt this failed experiment since the reforms first began, warning of the potential risk to the public, to staff and to the taxpayer. Click here to read more
15th February 2019
Trade Union dismay over failed government contracts leaving staff and the public at risk
Working Links, who own 3 Community Rehabilitation Companies delivering probation services in Wales, Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, has gone into administration leaving uncertainty for staff and service users. Napo, who had repeatedly warned the Minister that the company was in dire straits, has been informed that the company will now go into administration leaving staff and service users unsure about the future. Click here to read more.
25 September 2018
Private Probation providers failing to keep domestic violence victims safe warns Probation Union
The largest trade union within the Probation Service. Napo. has reacted with anger to the latest findings from a report by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Probation into the services offered to perpetrators of Domestic violence and the potential impact on victims. (click to read more)
21 September 2018
Napo the trade union and professional association for Probation and Family Court workers has today submitted its response to the ‘Strengthening Probation Building Confidence’ consultation exercise launched by SoSFJ, David Gauke. (Read more)
12 September 2018
Napo calls for a counter rehabilitation revolution
At the TUC Congress 2018, Napo General Secretary Ian Lawrence is calling for a counter-revolution to address the chronic state of the probation service. Following Chris Grayling’s dogmatic and ideological privatisation called Transforming Rehabilitation (TR), in 2015, the Probation Service has been left in an unprecedented crisis. The Justice Select Committee concluded its inquiry into TR in July and found that all of Napo's predictions had not only come true but the situation was even worse than the unions and other stakeholders had thought possible. (Click here to read more)
27 July 2018
Union outrage as government throws another £192m at failed justice experiment
Probation union Napo is outraged at government plans to pump a further £192 million into its Transforming Rehabilitation agenda despite the publication of a damning Justice Select Committee report just a month ago on the failed experiment. (click to read more)
22 June 2018
Probation has been failed: Justice Select Committee confirms union claims
An inquiry into the delivery of Probation services by the Justice Select Committee has today confirmed that the service is not functioning. The Transforming Rehabilitation reforms introduced by the then Secretary of State for Justice Chris Grayling in 2014 have been highly criticised by Napo the trade union and professional association for probation staff as well as many stakeholders since its inception. (Read more)
18 May 2018
Napo and Unison probation workers in day of protest over pay
Probation staff in England and Wales, who work for the National Probation Service (NPS) and the 21 privatised community rehabilitation companies (CRCs), are today (Friday) staging a day of protest to call for a long overdue pay rise. Click here to read more
08 March 2018
London CRC progress: Napo credits probation staff for improvement
Probation union Napo has credited staff working in London CRC for the “clear and at times impressive” improvements to the service highlighted in the HMI Probation report published today, but which says operational failings have impeded further success. (Click here to read more)
2 February 2018
Napo to start a national conversation about the future of probation at the Welsh Assembly
The leading union in the Probation service Napo, are launching a national conversation on the future structure of probation delivery and accountability at a panel discussion to be held at the Welsh Assembly on Wednesday 7th February. Click here to read more
30 January 2018
Napo tells Justice Committee: the Probation Service is in serious difficulty
The leader of the largest trade union representing Probation staff in England and Wales (Napo) told the Justice Select Committee today, that the probation service is in serious difficulty and that taxpayers are continuing to fund systemic failure especially across the 21 outsourced Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs). (click here to read more)
19 December 2017
Union ‘vindicated’ after NAO investigation reveals disastrous financial planning by the MOJ
The general secretary of probation union Napo says its members have been “vindicated” by a National Audit Investigation into the changes to Community Rehabilitation contracts across England and Wales.
The report published today reveals the MoJ has handed over an additional £342m of the public purse due to “unforeseen challenges” and “to reflect more accurately the cost of providing critical frontline services”. (Click here to read more)
14 December 2017
Deep-rooted problems prevail in probation since Transforming Rehabilitation
HMI Probation’s annual report was published today revealing a series of “deep-rooted” problems that still prevail since the service was split in 2013.
This report comes after a year of other scathing reports in which the lack of IT, faults in the financial and operational models and unreasonable workloads have been highlighted as areas for major concern. (Click here to read more)
15 September 2017
Risk Level "increased" for Probation Service in Northern Ireland
Due to ongoing security concerns in Northern Ireland Napo has been informed that the threat level posed to the probation Service in Northern Ireland has been increased. This is deeply concerning given the current climate and Napo calls for a cross party approach to respond to this raised threat. (Click here to read more)
31 August 2017
Union claims Probation services in Gloucestershire are in crisis
The leader of the largest trade union representing Probation staff in England and Wales today claimed that service provision in Gloucestershire, part of the Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC) owned by Aurelius/Working Links is in a state of chaos and represents a danger to public safety. (click here to read more)
22 August 2017
National Probation Service reported to Pensions Ombudsman following systematic failings
Napo is asking the Pensions Ombudsman to investigate the National Probation Service after uncovering systematic failures affecting hundreds of staff across the organisation. Click here to read more
1 August 2017
Probation Union anger over secret funding for privateers as Serious Offences rise
The leader of the largest trade union in the Probation service today questioned the rationale behind a £21 million government bail-out to private providers of probation across England and Wales. The decision was revealed in an answer to a Parliamentary question from Liz Saville Roberts MP. (Click here to read more)
20 July 2017
Union accuses Ministers of misleading the public about probation reforms
Responding to last night’s Ministerial statements on probation reform, the leader of the largest probation union accused the Government of misleading the public over the true impact of reforms to the probation service. (click here to read more)
23 June 2017
Some improvements to court work still failing to deliver
Today Her Majesties Inspectorate for Probation published the third Inspection report this week, this time looking at probation work in courts. Compared to earlier reports this is relatively positive in that it shows there has been some improvement in probation court work in the last year. However, it still raises concerns about how the probation service is functioning post-privatisation and that pre-sentence reports are not providing adequate risk assessments in many cases. (Click here to read more)
21 June 2017
Joint Inspection Report Reveals Enormous Through the Gate Failings
A joint inspection report published today by Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Prisons and Probation on Through the Gate services for prisoners has revealed enormous failings.
The report, An Inspection of Through the Gate Resettlement Services for Prisoners Serving 12 Months or More, echoes the serious concerns Napo has voiced since Community Rehabilitation Companies were tasked with running the scheme designed to help prisoners transition from prison to communities. (Click here to read more)
19 June 2017
Suffolk probation services failing across public and private sector
Today Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Probation published yet another damning report of probation services.
Following an inspection in Suffolk earlier this year HMIP have found that both the public and privately run probation providers are not doing enough good work in the delivery of probation services. The Inspector said that due to failings by the Ministry of Justice to deliver key IT systems and tight funding issues for the Sodexo run Community Rehabilitation Company has led to a delay in the company implementing its full operating model. (Click here to read more)
19 April 2017
Working Links’ Gwent operation receives harsh criticism from HMI Probation
HMI Probation have published yet another damning report of private probation providers, this time for the area of Gwent owned by Working Links which last year was purchased by the German based venture capitalists Aurelius. (click here to read more)
12 April 2017
Private Probation Company ran uninsured vehicles for Community Service activities
A private company running probation services across Devon, Dorset and Cornwall failed to renew the insurance policy covering the fleet of vehicles used to transport offenders to community service activities. (Click here to read more)
7 March 2017
Probation Union Challenges Employer Proposals for Maternity Leave on International Women’s Day
National Probation Service plans to offer improved maternity leave in exchange for staff giving up some of their annual leave has been branded unacceptable and potentially discriminatory by probation union Napo. (Click here to read more)
23 February 2017
Prison reform will not work with a failing Probation Service
Today the Secretary of State for Justice will outline and present the Prison and Courts Bill in the House of Commons. The main theme of the Bill is a greater focus on rehabilitation and modernising the Courts to ensure victims are at the heart of the justice system. Despite this however, there is no mention of the Probation Service which is currently in chaos and failing to provide even the basic supervision of offenders in the community. Yesterday saw the publication of yet another damning report by Her Majesty's Inspection for Probation.(Click here to read more)
13 February 2017
The largest trade union in the probation service has accused the government of “blame transference” following today’s speech by the Secretary of State for Justice which called for a greater effort by prison and probation staff to bring about improvements to reoffending. (Click here to read more).
14 December 2016
Napo warned the government that its reckless privatisation of probation services would lead to greater public risk. This has now been confirmed by the Inspectorate with its most damning report to date. Whilst recognising that providing outstanding probation services in London have long been challenging, this report makes it clear that there has been a significant deterioration since 2014. (click here to read more)
21 November 2016
Napo calls for urgent action on the probation service to assist the Government’s prison reform plans
Key figures in the criminal justice sector and probation services will meet today to discuss the future of probation. The Westminster Policy Forum are hosting the event where Ian Lawrence, General Secretary of Napo will address the forum and call for urgent action from the government to protect the probation service before it’s too late. (click here to read more)
03 November 2016
The increase in violence and self-harm in prisons can no longer be ignored by this government and Napo welcomes the government’s commitment to reform. It is vitally important that prisons are safe places for both prisoners and staff. Nevertheless, we have reservations about the approach the government is intending to take and are disappointed that a reduction in the prison population is secondary to the key measures likely to be announced by the Secretary of State for Justice today. (click here to read more)
4 October 2016
HMI Probation report on the provision of Through the Gate resettlement services
The largest union in the probation service in England and Wales has responded to the joint report by HM Chief Inspectors of Probation and Prisons on Through the Gate resettlement services for short-term prisoners, published today (Tuesday 4 October). (Click here to read more)
23 September 2016
The Public Accounts Committee has raised real concerns about the quality of probation services in England and Wales in a report published today.
Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the Committee, said: "There is a real danger the Ministry of Justice has bitten off more than it can chew." (click here to read more)
22 September 2016
Probation union Napo responds to HMIP report on Derbyshire Probation Services
The HMIP report on Derbyshire Probation Services is damning of the service being provided by the Community Rehabilitation Company owned by RRP.
The report highlights that there has been a significant reduction in the quality of the service being provided in comparison to the previous Probation Trust which was dissolved in 2014. (Click here to read more)
26 May 2016
Probation union warns of continuing public safety concerns
Napo, the largest trade union in the England and Wales probation service, today warned of its continuing concerns around offender management and public safety following the release of the fifth report by HM Inspector of Probation following the implementation of Transforming Rehabilitation. (Click here to read more)
18 May 2016
Probation union gives qualified welcome to prison reform plans
Napo the trade union for probation and family court workers has welcomed the general direction of the prison reforms that featured in today’s Queen’s Speech. (Click here to read more)
28 April 2016
National Audit Office - Ministry of Justice: Transforming Rehabilitation
Napo welcomes the publication of today’s report and the findings highlighted. The implementation of Transforming Rehabilitation has created significant challenges for our members over the last 18 months and this report confirms our ongoing concerns about sustainability and service delivery. The report highlights concerns in both the National Probation Service (NPS) and the Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs). Click to download
11 February 2016
Sentencing Council proposes stricter rules for sentencing offenders who plead guilty
Napo welcomes the review of sentencing and the drive to make justice more efficient for both defendants and victims by pushing for a speedier Court process. However, we have real concerns about how this principle will be applied in practice in a Court system that is currently under funded under staffed and lacks the infrastructure needed for these proposals.
8 February 2016
Prime Minister's statement on prison reform
Napo the trade union for Probation and Family Court workers agrees with the Prime Minister that there are too many people in the UK's overcrowded and unsafe prison estate and that rehabilitation and reintegration must be the primary objective.
For this policy to be successful Napo believes that urgent action is also needed to repair the serious damage that has been done to the Probation Service following the Transforming Rehabilitation programme and that staff need to be able to properly assist with supervision and rehabilitative programmes. Click to download
28 June 2015
Probation unions calling on Sodexo to pay 436 staff the redundancy they are owed
Napo, Unison and GMB today issued a joint union statement calling on Sodexo to honour the Enhanced Voluntary Redundancy scheme that was underwritten by the Secretary of State prior to the privatisation programme. The unions strongly oppose Sodexo’s plans to reduce their workforce by over 400 staff which we believe will result in poor community supervision and pose a risk to the public. However, their refusal to honour the EVR scheme is yet another blow to staff struggling to cope with workloads and job insecurity.
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11 June 2015
Napo Women’s Conference arrives in York
Napo is the Trade Union and Professional Association for Probation and Family Court Staff and its biannual women’s conference will this year be held in York at the Park Inn on Friday 12th June 2015. This is the first Napo conference since the privatisation of 70% of the Probation Service. With 100 delegates arriving in the city, the event promises a wide range of female speakers covering a variety of topics that affect women workers in Probation and Cafcass... click to download
1 May 2015
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff hit by Grayling's probation "reforms"
A national online survey of Black, Asian and Minority-Ethnic (BAME) Probation Service staff has revealed an alarming fall in confidence levels and morale following the introduction of the Coalition Government’s ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’ (TR) policies. Click to download.
17 April 2015
Probation unions threaten strikes over job cuts
On 16th April, the Probation trade unions, Napo, Unison and GMB warned the permanent secretary Ursula Brennan that members may be forced to ballot for strike action if she did not intervene over plans by the French multinational Sodexo to axe up to 46% of its staff in the 6 Community Rehabilitation Companies it took over on the 1st February 2015. Sodexo announced recently that 500+ jobs are at risk across its contract as it plans to replace highly skilled staff with biometric machines and mass call centres to supervise offenders in the community. Click to download
30 March 2015
Sodexo hits probation services with massive redundancies
On Friday 27th March 2015 Napo was informed that Sodexo, one of the private companies running 6 of the Community Rehabilitation Companies, will be making massive cuts to staff over the next 12 months. This is extremely worrying given the current staffing crisis in probation and the reasons behind them pose a significant risk to public safety. Click to download
24 March 2015
HMI Prisons today published a report investigating three prisoners released on temporary licence in 2013 that led to at least one murder and an armed robbery. The Chief Inspector’s report identifies significant failings that led to the inappropriate release of three high risk of harm prisoners that could have been prevented. In the report’s findings and recommendations the inspectorate highlights the need for greater involvement of probation officers in deciding on temporary licence as they have the knowledge and skill base to manage risk. It also identifies a lack of staff in prison to ensure each case is adequately reviewed.
But Napo, Trade Union for Probation and Family Court Staff has raised their concerns that the current staff shortages in both probation and prison will lead to an increase in unsuitable releases. Click to download.
18 February 2015
Unions claim plans for prisoner rehabilitation are heading for chaos
Unions representing probation staff say that Government plans to offer rehabilitation support to the estimated 45,000 prisoners released every year from short term sentences are in danger of failing to be delivered on time. The claim follows the receipt of information that a number of the providers of ‘Through the Gate’ (TTG) support services are short of key staff just weeks away from the contractually required 1st May launch date. Click to download
23 December 2014
Probation Board Northern Ireland faces huge budget cuts and job losses in the New Year
The Probation Board for Northern Ireland has been told it faces a 12% budget cut in 2015. This is in addition to the in-year budget cuts of 2014. As a result jobs are at risk for a board that already has an 18% shortfall in front line staff.. Ian Lawrence, Napo General Secretary, said: “this is a huge budget cut that will leave the Board no option but cut back on staff. It is short sighted as it will take the focus away from rehabilitation and reducing re-offending in the long term and more money will be spent housing prisoners instead of effective community supervision.” Click to download.
18 December 2014
Probation Union Anger as Justice Secretary Ignores Safety Concerns and Signs Probation Outsourcing Contracts
Napo the Trade Union and Professional Association for Probation and Family Court Staff are angry at the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling as he presses ahead with his Probation Service outsourcing despite evidence that it is unsafe to do so. The Union, which has been campaigning against the Governments reforms since 2013, have documented evidence provided by the Ministry of Justice that there are still significant failures with the new system that they believe seriously undermine service delivery and public safety. But despite this contracts for the 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies have been signed by the new providers and Grayling, tying the government and future governments to 10 years. Click to download
12 December 2014
Napo gagged on safety concerns and amendments to operation of new probation service
Napo – the probation officers’ union and professional association – was today forced to stay silent on the safety concerns and proposed amendments to the privatised probation service that were revealed by its court proceedings against the Ministry of Justice. Click to download
8 December 2014
Napo Judicial Review concludes - Secretary of State agress to address all safety concerns
Vapo – the probation officers’ union and professional organisation – has finally forced the Justice Secretary to recognise the serious safety risks in the re-organised probation service, and provide details of the steps he will take to address Napo’s long-standing concerns before Community Rehabilitation Companies are sold into private ownership.
As a result, Napo has today concluded its legal action and is satisfied it has achieved everything it was possible to secure through its court case. It will ask the High Court to order the Justice Secretary to pay the legal fees it has been forced to incur to make him face up to the safety issues in the system. Click to download
4 December 2014
Probation Union Anger as Secretary of State Ignores Dangers
Today Chris Grayling the Secretary of State for Justice has announced that he will proceed to the award of contracts for the Probation Service despite evidence that it is unsafe to do so. Napo, the trade union and professional association for probation staff has repeatedly provided evidence to the Secretary of State that his newly tested reforms are placing the public at risk and believes he is ignoring the unions concerns to pursue an ideological plan that is running to an election timetable rather than in the public interest. Read more
2 December 2014
Secretary of State tells parliament he will proceed to a decision on selling the probation service despite being unaware of serious safety concerns
The Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, was questioned by the Justice Select Committee (JSC) this morning about the safety of his proposal to sell off parts of the probation service to private companies – a decision he is due to make tomorrow. Having spent £15million on private consultants, Mr Grayling insisted that he would proceed to make the decision tomorrow, before the High Court considers the safety of the proposal (at a hearing on 10-12 December 2014) and despite serious risks to public safety raised by Napo (including two recent murders committed whilst offenders were inadequately supervised). Napo, the Union for Probation Officers, has four important concerns about Mr Grayling’s evidence to the JSC. Read more
1 December 2014
Evidence from Ministry of Justice confirms probation reforms are danger to the public
Napo has this evening written to Chris Grayling in advance of tomorrow's Justice Select Committee to highlight its concerns about the serious risks to public safety posed by Mr Grayling's proposal to sell off 70% of the probation service, in light of evidence collected by Napo and the Ministry of Justice's own tests, which were disclosed to Napo late on Friday 28 November 2014 following a High Court order compelling Mr Grayling to disclose the test results. The Ministry of Justice has claimed that the test results must be kept secret. Napo is currently contesting this on the grounds that it is in the public interest that the safety of the proposed sale is known. Click to dowload
Attached is a letter from Napo to the Secretary of State. This has had to be redacted due to confidentiality clauses insisted upon by the Secretary of State which Napo is also challenging. Click to download redacted letter
30 October 2014
Judicial Review
On Wednesday 29th October 2014 Napo, the Trade Union and Professional Association for probation and family court workers, issued instructions to our lawyers Slater and Gordon to move to an application for a Judicial Review of the Secretary of State's plans to sell off 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) formed under the governments Transforming Rehabilitation programme. Click to download
29 October 2014
Probation Union outraged as Secretary of State announces preferred bidders for the Probation Service despite evidence that it’s not safe to sell off
Napo is outraged today that Chris Grayling Secretary of State for Justice has gone ahead with his announcement of who his preferred bidders are for the Probation Service despite increasing evidence that it is not safe to sell off. The 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) which will deal with low – medium risk of harm offenders are still in utter chaos following the decision to split the Probation Service up on 1st June this year. Click to download
3 September 2014
Napo and UNISON survey reveals a stressed and demoralised workforce that has no confidence in government privatisation proposals
A survey of more than 1,000 probation workers has delivered a damning verdict on the government's decision to break up the probation service and sell-off half to profit making private companies.
99% of respondents revealed they do not support the government's probation reforms, while 93% do not believe that the changes will provide value for the money for the taxpayer. 98% said they have no confidence in Secretary of State for Justice Chris Grayling. Click to download. FULL SURVEY RESULTS
6 August 2014
Probation union challenges rationale of payment-by-results reoffending pilots
Napo, the Trade Union and Professional Association for Probation and Family Court Staff has today again challenged Chris Grayling to pilot his plans to privatise the Probation Service in England and Wales. The Secretary of State split the Probation service on the 1st June to facilitate the intended sell off of 70% of the services work to bidders representing the third and private sectors. The union says Ministers have told Parliament that the rationale behind the ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’ agenda has been based on the two prison based ‘Payment by Results’ pilots operating in HMP Peterborough and HMP Doncaster. The final results for cohorts 1 for these pilots are expected to be published by the MoJ in a press notice at 09:30 on Thursday 7th August 2014. - Click to download
5 August 2014
Probation union claims victims impact statements are an important part of parole process
Napo General Secretary Ian Lawrence said:' The Judges remarks, although made in a private capacity, were extremely unfortunate and do not reflect the views of Probation Officers who work tirelessly with offenders, victim's families and other agencies within the criminal justice system to ensure that the parole process is as robust and transparent as it can be.' Adding: 'We agree that it's important that families are given an opportunity to better understand the parole system and to move towards peace and closure wherever possible. This might involve them being able to tell the offender (as well as a Court and/or Parole Board) what impact their actions had. There is a critical role for Probation here, especially via Victim Liaison Officers who support those who have suffered all types of crime and their families.' - Click to download
31 July 2014
Booze tags not the answer says Probation union
Reacting to the launch of the Transdermal tagging pilots in South London, which were announced by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, this morning, Napo, the union for probation and family court workers, claimed that the scheme would not solve the problem of binge drinking in the longer term.
Speaking on Sky News earlier today, General Secretary of Napo, Ian Lawrence, said: 'whilst the scheme is at least to be trialled first to allow for analysis, this will be seen in some quarters as a bit of a gimmick in terms of the wider issues. It is a pity that the plans to sell off the Probation Service are not also being piloted; but instead are being rushed through within a dangerously tight timetable for ideological reasons.' Click to download
20 June 2014
Shadow Lord Chancellor visits Napo Cymru
On 20th June the Shadow Lord Chancellor paid a visit to Napo Cymru Branch to get a better understanding of how Grayling’s madcap reforms of the Probation Service are impacting on frontline staff and service delivery. Napo members welcomed the opportunity to tell Sadiq Khan just how bad things are following the dissolution of the Wales Probation Trust and the implementation of the new National Probation Service and the Community Rehabilitation Company. Napo has been campaigning fiercely to highlight that these reforms will undermine risk management and put the public at risk; and these concerns are now becoming a reality. Staff in Wales are struggling with inadequate IT systems, restricted access to offenders records and significantly increased workloads since 1 June. Click to download.
5 June 2014
Staffing Chaos in Grayling's 'new look' Probation Service
Following the implementation of the Secretary of State Chris Grayling’s Transforming Rehabilitation agenda, which came into practice on 1 June, the Probation Service is now split into a National Probation Service (NPS) and 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs). However, both organisations are in chaosThe situation is exacerbated by serious staff shortages, 500 vacancies across England and Wales, leading to unallocated cases and staff having to bridge the gap across the two organisations. In an attempt to resolve the issue the Ministry of Justice is desperately trying to recruit new staff. This week an advert was placed in the Guardian looking to recruit Probation Officers from New Zealand and Australia currently living in the UK. Click to download
30 May 2014
Dark Day in 106 Years of Probation Service
Today is the last working day of the 35 Probation Trusts of England and Wales as they are being closed down by the Secretary of State despite significant concerns that it is dangerous to do so. Chris Grayling's "Transforming Rehabilitation" programme will see the Trusts replaced with a National Probation Service dealing with Court work and high risk of harm offenders and 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies working with low to medium risk of harm offenders which will be then sold off to the private sector in October this year. The reforms have been widely criticised since they were first announced. Click to download
20 May 2014
Public Accounts Committee Report
Today the Public Accounts Committee published their first report scrutinising the Secretary of State's, Chris Graylings plans to privatise up to 70% of the Probation Service. Napo welcomes the Committee's conclusions and recommendations which echo the concerns raised by Napo and other stakeholders. Napo has continued to raise our concerns over the plans with the government which we believe will undermine public protection, place the public at risk and allow private companies to profit from working with offenders... - Click to download
30 March 2014
Probation Staff & Solicitors Take Strike Action
At 12 noon on 31st March thousands of Probation staff across England and Wales will walk out on strike and stay out until 12 midnight on 1st April. Napo, the Trade Union for Probation and Family Court staff, are still in a formal dispute over the government plans to privatise 70% of the probation service which they say will have a significant impact on public safety and public protection. This is the union’s 5th strike in its 103 year history and its second in relation to this issue. – click to download
9 March 2014
Probation Privatisation Flawed and Dangerous
The government’s plans to privatise probation are flawed, dangerous, expensive and will put the public at risk. Napo has drafted over 70 questions for politicians which remain unanswered about the proposed model; yet ministers want the private contract signed off and shares sold by the late autumn. This is an impossible timetable. – click to download
9 March 2014
Probation Privatisation – Huge Business Risks
In January 2013, the Coalition announced that it was intending to privatise up to 70% of the Probation Service’s core work. In June 2013, a risk register compiled by Ministry of Justice officials was leaked. It stated quite clearly that there were severe risks that the project would not meet its objectives and that would lead to reputational damage. – click to download
26 February 2014
Bill to make domestic violence a crime introduced today
A 10 Minute Rule Bill will be introduced in the House of Commons today, 26 February, to make domestic violence and coercive control crimes. The Bill has all party support and has been spearheaded by Elfyn Llwyd MP (Plaid Cymru). – click to download
4 February 2014
Family Courts in Crisis
On 1 April 2013 the government introduced large scale cuts to the provision of legal aid in both civil and criminal proceedings. The impact in just one year on the administration has been astonishing. Figures, which are attached, show that 12 months ago the majority (some 80%) of parties to family court proceedings, in particular those dealing with child contact, were represented by lawyers. The situation now, in spring 2014, is a virtual reversal, with seven out of 10 parties appearing as Litigants in Person (LIPs). This is having a major adverse effect on child welfare. – click to download
22 January 2014
Napo welcomes Justice Committee Report
The Justice Committee today published its report that scrutinises the Offender Rehabilitation Bill and the Secretary of State’s plans to privatise 70% of the Probation Service. The report highlights concerns that Napo itself has been raising with the Government since its announcement last year for radical reforms to Probation. – click to download