New probation trusts announced to cut reoffending
01 April 2009
Two Probation Areas have been given the green light to start work as Probation Trusts from today as part of the government's drive to further reduce reoffending and increase protection for the public.
Greater Manchester and Lancashire have been given trust status, introduced through the Offender Management Act 2007, to allow probation services more independence to focus their work on local communities and reduce reoffending while providing the same high level of service to the courts and oversight of offenders.
Minister for Justice David Hanson MP said:
'I am delighted that we are able to announce that Manchester and Lancashire have been successful in becoming Probation Trusts. They are high-performing areas managing offenders in the community, protecting the public and reduce reoffending to a high standard.
'The new trusts will allow the Probation Service to use services from the public, private and voluntary sector in the most cost effective way to help rehabilitate and punish offenders and protect the public.
'The new trusts from today will be able to work more effectively with local agencies, and commission work from them in order to combat crime and reduce reoffending.'
Notes to editors
- Since 1 April 2008, six new probation trusts have been operating in England and Wales: Dyfed Powys; Humberside; Leicestershire and Rutland; Merseyside; South Wales; and West Mercia. The government will be continuing to work closely to support these first six trusts as well as the two announced today and potential new trusts.
- There remain 34 local probation boards that continue to operate in all other areas of England and Wales. The government is currently assessing the performance of all the local probation boards whilst considering the implications of wider issues around efficiency and effectiveness. We will continue to learn from, and with, our first probation trusts during this time.
- The intention is for all suitable Probation Areas to have completed the transition process to trust status by April 2010 as originally set out to Parliament. Areas will be required to apply for trust status and to demonstrate that they can deliver effective and locally tailored offender management services within budget. Voluntary mergers, initiated locally, will be supported by the National Offender Management Service where they are more likely to meet these goals. The standards required by application process are high and it is possible that some boards will fail to meet them. If this is the case, alternative solutions will be implemented that will address deficiencies by 2011.
- For more information please contact the Ministry of Justice press office on 020 3334 3536.