Probation in Meltdown

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August 13, 2009

Action on TPOs

The next phase of Napo’s anti cuts campaign will focus on the employment of Trainee Probation Officers at the end of their contract in September

Locally the picture is patchy, ranging from TPOs being taken on for a six months temporary basis, some not being taken on at all, and some, appallingly, still being left in the dark.

Bulletin 7 reported Napo’s cautious welcome of the TPO Clearing House Protocol. Napo remains clear however that the priority at this time remains to campaign for TPO employment within the Probation Service.

Campaign Action

Now is the crucial time to intensify campaigning activities specifically on the issue of the TPO’s.

 All members are asked to write to their MP about the cuts and the TPO employment situation - A model letter is available from your branch, or email your MP direct from the box on the napo website.

 Petitions will be sent out via branches and direct mailing shortly. Please circulate copies amongst your friends and relatives.

 Branches are encouraged to contact their local media and to join in local events to publicise the cuts and the affect on TPOs.

Campaign material will be sent out to branches shortly to assist with this.

Lobby Jack Straw

Napo has written to the Justice Secretary seeking a meeting with TPOs at risk of unemployment, who can explain their situation and demand action

Branches will be circulated with a request for delegation names

Read more about the campaign in Bulletin 8

Download file

Posted by kfalcon at 01:55 PM

July 21, 2009

Latest Cuts Bulletin

Download Campaign Bulletin No 7 with the latest information on Napo's cuts campaign and parliamentary activity over the past month

Download file

Posted by kfalcon at 02:05 PM

Second successful evidence session

Napo members from Southern and North Thames region branches and London attended the second Probation Evidence Session at the Palace of Westminster on 15th July.

The meeting was moved from the House of Commons to Millbank at the last minute, because of parliamentary business, and this adversely affected MPs’ attendance. Nevertheless, half a dozen MPs did manage to make it to the meeting to hear about the extent and effect of the cuts across the regions.

At the meeting staff from Suffolk reported that management felt the service was no longer viable and that it would have to merge with Norfolk. Staff from Hampshire and Kent told MPs about a steady stream of office closures to keep within budget. And Reps from Chiltern Counties branch reported that the time spent with individual offenders was 15 minutes a week or less.

Maria Eagle, the new Minister, attended for the last half hour of the session, and heard from London branch of the problems of lack of staff, stress and heavy workloads. She seemed under the impression, presumably from London management, that problems were not as bad as described!

Future meetings are planned with Maria Eagle and Jack Straw over the future of TPOs and the inability of the service to manage its workload in the future.

Look out for more campaign information in Campaign Bulletin No 7 - coming shortly to branches.

Posted by kfalcon at 12:17 PM

MPs back Probation

Oral questions to the Ministry of Justice, which took place on 16
June, showed the mass of concern and
sympathy for Probation from MPs.

During the course of the question session 19
MPs intervened to tell Straw that probation staff
in their constituencies were experiencing
soaring caseloads and lack of resources. Time
and time again the Secretary of State was told
that resources were not reaching the frontline.
His only response was to repeat the mantra that
the Probation Service has received a 70% uplift
since 1997 and to claim, again, that areas were
comparatively well off.

The chasm between what MPs are being told
on the ground and the message from the
Ministry could not be wider. The debate again
shows the power of lobbying and members are
urged to continue the fight.

Read in full on Hansard

Download Cuts Bulletins 5 and 6

Download Bulletin No 5

Download Bulletin No 6

Posted by kfalcon at 12:05 PM

May 22, 2009

Yorkshire and Humberside Probation Cuts Meeting - Friday 5 June

Napo and Unison jointly will be holding an open meeting on the Probation cuts for the Yorkshire and Humberside Region in the Victoria Hall (Chapel Walk) Sheffield from 2.00pm – 3.30pm on Friday, 5th June.

Download a flyer here

Posted by kfalcon at 12:57 PM

Anti-Cuts Bulletin No 4

Download a copy below
Download file

Posted by kfalcon at 12:53 PM