Exeter Probation Officers Strike Over "Dangerous" Government Changes

Probation Officers in Exeter will walk out on strike today against “dangerous” new changes introduced by the Ministry of Justice.

The changes introduced by justice minister Chris Grayling will see around 70% of probation service work outsourced to private firms and volunteers in an effort to cut the costs of the service.

The move has been criticised by the National Association of Probation Officers (NAPO) who argue that the changes are “dangerous” and will place the public at risk.

Su McConnell, Devon & Cornwall Branch of NAPO said: “I am striking to send a clear message to Grayling: you can try to sell probation, but you can’t sell my goodwill, commitment and drive to serve justice and the community.

“I am striking to send a clear message to Grayling: your TR plans are in disarray. I am not prepared to be associated with them.

“Payment by Results for probation is an insult and a joke. It was never about the money. My loyalty, commitment and goodwill are not for sale.”

The two-day Strike starting at noon today will also be joined by criminal defence solicitors across England and Wales in response to plans to cut around £215m from the national legal aid budget.

The Solicitor’s association LCCSA who have organised the strike claim that the cut will see around 1,000 firms close their doors across England and Wales preventing many from receiving free legal representation.

Nationally up to 14,000 people are expected to take part in the joint strike hitting courts in major cities including London and Manchester hardest.

Solicitors' Associations organising the strikes also said police stations would see delays due to a reduced number of solicitors working.

Barristers were initially expected to join the strike but have called off action following an decision by the MoJ to delay a decision on legal aid until summer 2015.

Legal Aid Minister Shailesh Vara said: "We've always said we want to do all that we can to help lawyers facing fee cuts.

"We've spoken at length with them and made changes to our initial plan as a result. But this government is dealing with an unprecedented financial challenge and the Ministry of Justice has no choice but to significantly reduce the amount it spends each year.

"Our final package does mean fee reductions, but we've staggered them to try and ease their impact."

However plans to outsource probation work supervising low and medium-risk offenders, making up the bulk of the service’s work, to private firms and volunteer groups are expected to go ahead.

NAPO general secretary Ian Lawrence said: "The government plans to outsource 70% of the probation service are untried and untested.

"It is a dangerous social experiment that we believe will lead to a reduction in rehabilitation and fragmented risk management, placing the public at risk."

While it was a difficult decision for union members to take strike action, "the public needs to know how these changes will impact on risk management and ultimately public protection"

Responding to the Strike action, justice minister Jeremy Wright said: "It is very disappointing that Napo has chosen to strike when we are making positive progress towards the implementation of these vital reforms.

"We are pleased that Napo, along with the other probation trade unions, has recently ratified a national agreement on staff transfer that will provide a series of protections for probation staff.

"We are therefore surprised that they have now chosen to adopt this unhelpful course of action."