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Last Updated: 14/6/2006
'Making a Difference' Reducing Post Sentencing Burdens on Front-line Staff - Prisons and Probation Paperwork, [PDF 458KB, 68 pages] was a joint project between the unit, Her Majesty's Prison Service, the National Probation Service, the Home Office and the newly formed National Offender Management Service. A summary [PDF 129KB, 8 pages] of measures has also been produced for ease of access.
Scope
The project focused on reducing unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy imposed on front-line staff in prison establishments and probation areas in England and Wales. The reduction, and in some cases removal, of these burdens will allow both prison and probation staff to spend more time performing their core duties, managing offenders and reducing crime, and less time filling out forms.
Background
The Criminal Justice 'Making a Difference' report, launched in July 2003, tackled bureaucracy affecting front-line staff in the courts, CPS, and the police. During the fieldwork stage of the project, a number of bureaucratic processes were identified involving prisons and probation. These findings, in part, prompted the Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service (formerly the Head of Correctional Services) to commission the Cabinet Office to undertake a review of red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy in the prison and probation services.
Approach
As with all Making a Difference projects, front-line staff played an integral part in the identifying unnecessary burdens placed on them, and highlighting possible solutions. Through interviews with front-line staff, the project team was granted access to their vast knowledge and experience. Some 450 interviews with staff from 20 prison establishments and 20 probation areas covering England and Wales were held to ensure that feedback on the extent of bureaucratic burdens was representative. Details of participants [PDF 70KB, 2 pages] in this project are listed in Annex 1 of the report. The information gathered was analysed to determine whether possible solutions to emerging issues would:
The issues and possible solutions to be taken forward were endorsed by the Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service and the Director Generals of both Prison and Probation Services. These ideas were then 'tested' with front-line staff to confirm they would make a difference. As part of this process, the impacts that any changes would have on existing or planned legislation, guidance or standards within the organisations were considered.
The project team engaged with policy officials from both organisations, initially to gain their expertise and background to the issues raised, and more latterly to negotiate solutions with them and to agree time scales for implementation of changes.
Key Achievements
The culmination of the efforts and hard work of both front-line staff and policy officials within the Prison and Probation Services resulted in the publication of the report 'Making a Difference' Reducing Post Sentencing Burdens on Front-line Staff - Prisons and Probation Paperwork, [PDF 458KB, 68 pages]. This report outlines 103 tangible and time bound solutions agreed between Her Majesty's Prison Service, the National Probation Service, the Home Office and the Cabinet Office that will reduce or remove burdens from prison and probation staff.
Next Steps
Responsibility for delivery rests with the stakeholders. The project team will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that the actions are delivered as agreed and are communicated effectively to the relevant staff.
For further enquires or information please contact the unit at psinfo@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk