Extra cash on way for probation
Mar 12 2008 by William Green, The Journal
PROBATION chiefs are to be handed more Government cash to cope with growing demands for services.
Justice Minister David Hanson yesterday announced an additional £40m is to be provided to the national probation service, although no decisions have yet been made on regional allocations.
There is speculation that around £1m could go to Northumbria area, although funding will be targeted at areas of greatest need such as those with offenders on more community orders.
The news comes after The Journal last week revealed Northumbria probation chiefs warned of real risks to the management of offenders in the North East because of a lack of sufficient funding.
And there were fears that 10% of its 700-strong probation workforce in Northumbria could go, alongside cuts in offender behaviour, education and employment schemes – although the service’s corporate plan will now be reviewed once it knows how much extra cash it is being given.
Pressure has come from Government efficiency drives and ministers urging judges to impose community sentences on all but the most serious criminals to stop prisons overflowing. Blaydon MP David Anderson, who has campaigned on the issue, welcomed the announcement and called for cash to go quickly to the Northumbria probation service.
“Let’s have the resource so we can do the job properly and let the resource go so they can do the job for the people of this country,” said the Labour MP.
Tim Wilson, regional convener for prison staff union NAPO, said: “It is good news I would say guardedly in that it is better than nothing at all.
“But the problem is that Northumbria has already had to cut back its workforce in terms of the number of posts.”
Pauline Williamson, chief probation officer in Northumbria, said: “This is excellent news which will certainly assist us in continuing to provide effective probation services to communities in Northumbria.
“As soon as we receive confirmation of Northumbria’s allocation, we will be reviewing our three-year corporate plan to ensure this resource is used to best effect.”
Mr Hanson said community-based punishments for many offenders were proven to be more effective in cutting reoffending, with prison reserved for the most serious cases.
