Bring probation contracts back into public control to avoid further disaster

Responding to today’s insolvency of Working Links – a company that oversees three outsourced probation contracts – UNISON national officer for police and justice Ben Priestley said: “This privatisation has been a disaster and one that was long predicted. The government must immediately step in to bring these collapsed services back in-house. “The priority is to reassure the public in the South West and Wales that communities will remain protected. Staff too need assurances about their jobs, and that they will still be paid. “This is yet another catastrophe to be added to Chris Grayling’s growing record of failure. He was repeatedly warned when Justice Secretary that privatisation would fail. The collapse of these contracts is proof. “Despite the chaos, the Ministry of Justice is still planning to award more probation contracts to private firms. Nearly half a billion pounds of public money has already been wasted propping up failing contracts.” Notes to editors: – UNISON has written a joint letter with Napo to the current Justice Secretary David Gauke urging him to bring the contracts back into the public sector and calling for urgent talks. – Working Links operates three community rehabilitation companies (CRCs) in: Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire; Dorset, Devon and Cornwall; and Wales. – In 2015, Chris Grayling announced reforms to probation services through the £3.7bn “Transforming Rehabilitation” programme. Unde...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Press release ben priestley probation Source Type: news