09 April 2008
A consultation on a new drive to reduce reoffending has been launched to establish how Probation Boards and Trusts will provide the most cost-effective route to help rehabilitate and punish offenders.
Six new Probation Trusts were established on 1 April as part of the government's drive to cut crime. Trust status will allow probation services more independence to focus their work on local communities and reduce reoffending while providing a high level of service to the courts and oversight of offenders.
During the passage of the Offender Management Act 2007, the government signalled a move away from a regime in which probation areas sub-contract specified proportion of their work. Instead, they will be adopting a system of Best Value similar to that used by local government. Under this model, Probation Boards and Trusts will need to ensure that services are continuously improved, by the provider delivering the best value for money, from the public, private or voluntary sector.
Minister for Justice David Hanson MP said:
'Probation services across the country play a key role in supporting offenders to turn away from crime. They give help and support in tackling drug or alcohol abuse, finding employment or housing, and give vital support to maintain family ties. They also support courts to assess how best to work with offenders and crucially ensure offenders understand the impact of their behaviour on victims.
'We want the best possible systems in place to manage offenders in the community, to protect the public and to reduce reoffending.
'Inevitably with change comes concern. I am therefore determined to have an open relationship with all parties and fully consult to allow everyone to feed in their thoughts as to how the new services should develop.
'I am committed to cutting crime and am currently working closely with my colleagues in the Home Office to ensure the new Local Area Agreements reflect our priorities to enhance community safety and reduce reoffending. I attended a meeting in the North West yesterday to continue this work and discuss best practice in the area.'
The Best Value consultation will run until 2 July 2008 to ensure a comprehensive framework is established for all Trusts and Boards to use in the future.
Crime has fallen by over a third since 1997, with significant input from the Probation Service. Last year alone probation services worked with 200,000 offenders, providing over six millions hours of unpaid work and supporting over 15,000 offenders with intensive substance misuse treatment.
Best value was introduced into local government in April 2000, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1999. It placed in local authorities a duty to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which they carried out their functions, having regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
The proposed Best Value framework, on which we are consulting, draws on the local government experience, but is tailored to the unique needs of probation.
However, as part of the Offender Management Act 2007 the provision of assistance to courts will be retained within the public sector until Parliament agrees otherwise. There is also a wider commitment to retain the management of offenders (such as supervising offenders in custody or on licence) in the public sector until 2010.
Notes to editors
2. For more information please contact the Ministry of Justice press office on 020 7210 8822.