‘Massive welcome’ for probation U-turn

The government’s decision to abandon the 2014 part-privatisation of the probation services in England and Wales and return to them to public ownership has met with resounding approval.

Probation officers’ union NAPO gave the news a “massive welcome” and said its members would breath a huge sigh of relief. Its general secretary, Ian Lawrence, said: “Ministers have taken a courageous decision to fully reverse the earlier reforms that we opposed from the start and which have also been widely and continuously criticised by parliament and HM inspector of probation.”

“We will now be urgently engaging with ministers and employers to ensure that all staff currently working in a [commercial] community rehabilitation company are guaranteed a future offer of employment in a publicly-owned probation service.”

There was an equally warm response from the GMB general union. National officer George Georgiou said: "This is a very welcome step and brings the probation service back into public ownership following years of increasing recidivism and ballooning costs. We are delighted that the lord chancellor has taken this pragmatic step. All the evidence suggests it will reduce reoffending, protect the public and save taxpayers’ money.”

https://www.napo.org.uk/sites/default/files/Ministerial%20announcement%20June%2020.pdf

https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/return-probation-service-public-hand-welcome