NOMS commissions adult offender services in custodial and community settings across England and Wales.

Commissioning in NOMS is defined as 'The cycle of assessing the needs of courts, offenders, defendants, victims and communities then designing, securing and monitoring services to meet those needs, while making best use of total available resources.'

An annual strategic commissioning round sets out the high level priorities of the Agency recognising changes in service need and demand, resources, Government policy and the priorities of other commissioners and funders of Offender Services.

These commissioning intentions are then used to negotiate Service Level Agreements and contract schedules with ‘prime’ providers such as prison establishments, public and private, or Probation Trusts.

Commissioning is supported by the NOMS Directory of Service Specifications, which sets out the services for which the Agency is funded to commission for offenders, defendants, victims and the courts on behalf of the Secretary of State for Justice.

The specifications help define what needs to be provided, but not how they should be delivered or by whom. The commissioner is ultimately responsible for defining the mix and type of services they want to commission.

Competition is embedded in the process, as a powerful tool for commissioners in improving existing service delivery, encouraging innovation and driving value for money.

The detailed approach is set out in the Ministry of Justice Competition Strategy for Offender Services.

NOMS Commissioning Intentions Plan sets out intended priorities together with supporting evidence to promote dialogue and challenge with existing and potential providers as well as key stakeholders (such as other Government Departments and the Welsh Government). The final priorities then form part of the annual NOMS Business Plan.

An Introduction to NOMS Offender Services Commissioning (PDF)

NOMS Commissioning Intentions Plan 2012-13 - Discussion Document (PDF)