Napo Press Release

Embargo - Immediate, Thursday 29th March 2007

Ministry of Justice

Commenting on today’s Ministerial Statement introducing changes at the Home Office, Harry Fletcher, Assistant General Secretary of Napo the Probation union said:

“Napo welcomes the creation of a Ministry of Justice, and has been calling for its establishment for over 20 years. There must, however, be full consultation with interested parties to avoid confusion and yet more bureaucracy. It is essential that Probation’s work with the police is not undermined as a result of the services now being in different Departments. Similarly, steps must be taken to ensure that the functions of sentencing and crime reduction, which are also now in separate Departments, are not jeopardised through lack of liaison.”

Ends

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Napo MOTION TO TRADES UNION CONGRESS 2003

SUBJECT: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Congress notes that the Government's reforms of the former Lord Chancellor's Department and the creation of a Department for Constitutional Affairs falls short of the creation of a Ministry of Justice, bringing together all those responsible for justice after the point of arrest.

Congress believes that a European style Ministry of Justice, bringing together appropriate functions from the Home Office as well as from the Department for Constitutional Affairs could lead to increased consistency in sentencing and minimise the scope for political interference in sentencing.

Congress therefore agrees to pursue further with the Government the advantages of a Ministry of Justice and to press for the appropriate legislative changes to be made.

Proposed by: Napo