One of Labour’s first challenges is to tackle the prisons overcrowding crisis they have inherited from the Tories.
While the new government has enacted emergency measures to release people from prison early, a longer-term solution is needed. One of the potential fixes put forward is for courts to send fewer people to prison, issuing them with community sentences instead.
UNISON has already covered how the government’s early release scheme is affecting probation workers who supervise people after they have left prison. But what about probation workers in the community, supporting people on community sentences?
We meet the UNISON members working in probation – and find out what they have to say about rehabilitation, hope and Chris Grayling.
What does it mean to work in probation pls? Is it a job or volunteer job? Pls let me know as i maybe interested.
Would ‘rehoming’ dustbins work as something for community payback people to do?
Where I live we have the large wheelie bins left out on the pavement after they’ve been emptied and they’re always in the way, making life difficult for those with limited mobility and/ or pushing children in buggies.
The payback participants could work in small teams on a set round. They would benefit from being part of a team and from helping the community and the walking would be a good part of a fitness regime.
However, it’s not good to have volunteers doing work that should be being done by proper paid workers so I’m in two minds about the idea.
The government should have half way house especially fir people with substance misuse problems
Put them into training programs to make it easier to gain employment
Employ more probation officers so they can manage their caseloads knowing where they are
Housing for these ex-convicts so that the reoffending rates can remain as low as possible
Value the people doing the work! I work with groups of male pffenders multiple times a week, as a woman, often challenging harmful attitudes not only towards women but also towards society. Attitudes and beliefs condoning violence, anti authority and crime to succeed in life,all underpinned by trauma and as facilitators we are not on a professional register, not recognised for the trauma informed training and psychological therapy we do! This is the change work and it is undervalued and underpaid massively. We have been asking for this to be reviewed and recognised and have been dismissed time and time again. It is no wonder we are losing staff in this critical area.
I love reading about people like Errol Wallace. All these offenders have a story from childhood, I believe everyone should at the very least have a roof over their head. And decent people to turn to like Errol for structured positive guidance. Thank goodness for kind people like him who want to help.
A lot of ponds, rivers, beaches need clear ups, anywhere that needs environmental help, ie cleaning up from rubbish, waste, including over grown gardens, that people are unable to do themselves, helping with the homeless, shelters, although reducing jail time isn’t the answer, for minor crimes with early release, then their sentence can be finished in the community, possibly with a community order / tagged with restrictions and boundaries.
More rehabs for substance abuse, educational opportunities, more half way housing for prison release.