8 May 2024
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.
The End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) scheme was launched last October as a temporary response to the capacity crisis which has seen the prison population soar to nearly 88,000. The Government narrative that the (then 35-day release) process, would ease the increasing pressure on prisons and allow probation staff to safely and effectively manage clients back into the community has been seriously criticised by the unions representing prison and probation staff.
Napo General Secretary Ian Lawrence said: “We have spent many months trying to convince the Secretary of State that in order for early release schemes to work in an effective and safe manner, it has to be recognised that the probation service is also over capacity, and that the members we represent are also now at breaking point.”
Adding: “The ECSL scheme is an unmitigated failure and has not only been extended without Parliamentary scrutiny but represents an increasing risk to public safety. Ministers have failed to heed our warnings that the Government’s refusal to provide workload relief to all probation staff and address the disgraceful situation of a two-tier pay structure in HMPPS where Napo members are the poor relations, will result in us considering our mandate to ballot members for potential industrial action and a possible legal challenge which may involve other stakeholders.”
The Probation Unions are seeking an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State.
ENDS
Contact:
Tania Bassett Napo National Official – tbassett@napo.org.uk
Ian Lawrence General Secretary – ilawrence@napo.org.uk