probation service: new workload agreements
WORKERS, MARCH 2003 ISSUE
INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY NAPO, the union for probation officers, has resulted in new workload agreements in 34 out of 42 probation areas nationally. Negotiations have been going on for three years, but the ‘short sharp shock’ of industrial action has forced the employers into meaningful discussions and agreements over soaring workloads and reduced budgets and staffing levels.
The probation service faces future chaos as the record prison population of over 72,600 rises to an estimated 110,000 during the next seven years. Almost half the present prison population has a drug-related problem.
Meanwhile, the private prisons and the recently privatised hostel system have been turned into lucrative businesses by government on the back of a criminal justice system near to collapse.
Meanwhile, the private security company Group Four has been hauled in front of Northampton magistrates for failing to deliver prisoners to court. Nine court cases had to be halted as a result and a whole morning of court business was wasted.
Magistrates found the company in contempt of court and forced it to issue an apology. The company blamed temporary staff shortages for the problems, but staff at the magistrates court said the service was chronically understaffed and the company consistently failed to provide prisoners when required.