Judy McKnight's Napolog

Web log of Napo's general secretary

April 17, 2007

Role Models for a civilised society

I have just finished listening to the House of Lords debate on the second reading of the Offender Management Bill.

The fact that in summing up, Baroness Scotland chose to name those who had spoken in favour of the Bill, is indicative in itself, that the majority of contributions were hostile to the ill conceived fragmentation and privatisation of our Service; a measure which is being done without a business case or an evidenced base justification.

One of many particularly good contributions was Lord Frank Judd, who referred to probation staff as role models for a civilised society. I’d vote for that!

The full quote was as follows:

"The Probation Service has come in for a lot of flak from the media and others in recent years. Much of that generalised flak has been totally unjustified. I am one of those who believes that we have an invaluable resource in the dedicated and tireless work of the overwhelming majority of probation staff. That needs to be said loudly and clearly. In many ways they are role models for a decent, civilised society."

Posted by jmcknight at April 17, 2007 09:02 PM