Archive for the ‘Public Services’ Category

Stupid cuts, smart cuts

The ministry of justice has announced that it will deliver £343 million cuts, although the ministry is calling it savings following the budget announcement that the deficit will be halved over four years.  The statement says that the aim is to protect front line priorities.  There is a huge contradiction here, as prison budgets have [...]

March 30, 2010  Tags: , , , ,   Posted in: Prisons, Public Services  2 Comments

Less crime, safer communities, fewer people in prison

We have launched our new campaign, which you can find by visiting our website.  Please take two minutes to take action for the Howard League and help us put penal reform at the top of the political agenda during the general election and beyond.

March 5, 2010  Tags:   Posted in: Campaigns, Children and young people, Government policy, Howard League, Overcrowding, Prisons, Public Services, Rehabilitation, Sentencing, Victims  No Comments

Imprisoning charities

Yesterday morning I had a fascinating meeting with the Charity Commission about whether charities should manage prisons.  I went with Kevin Curley and others from NAVCA and met with Suzi Leather and her team.  We sought the meeting because we are concerned that two charities, Turning Point and Catch 22, have joined with Serco to [...]

February 3, 2010  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Government policy, Prisons, Public Services, Rehabilitation, Uncategorized  6 Comments

A new face at the top

Phil Wheatley, director general of the national offender management service (NOMS), has announced he is to retire later this year.  I wish him well in his retirement.
This offers a tremendous opportunity for change in the criminal justice system.  A new person at the top could inject some energy into a programme of reform based on [...]

January 18, 2010  Tags: , , , ,   Posted in: Government policy, Prisons, Public Services  2 Comments

Pre-budget report

The pre-budget report yesterday included indications of significant cuts in public expenditure, and whilst health and education, quite rightly, looks likely to avoid the worst effects of the economic downturn, the penal system is going to be a victim. The chancellor said that he would protect front line policing and that is the largest part [...]

December 10, 2009  Tags:   Posted in: Government policy, Prisons, Public Services  One Comment

Should charities run prisons?

The debate about whether charities should run prisons is getting quite lively.  We are about to write to the Charity Commission asking them to investigate.  I have written an article for The Times today setting out our position.

August 14, 2009  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Prisons, Public Services  2 Comments