Josh Babarinde MP brought passion, purpose and a clear message to Napo’s AGM in Eastbourne: the criminal justice system is at breaking point and probation staff are the people holding it together.
Welcoming members to his hometown, the Lib Dem MP didn’t shy away from painting a stark reality of the justice system. Prisons are at capacity, court delays stretching for years, and a probation service struggling under chronic understaffing.
This isn’t abstract to him. As a youth worker and founder of a social enterprise supporting young ex-offenders into employment, he has seen how the right support and opportunity can turn lives around.
Josh also shared his powerful personal motivation for tackling domestic abuse. He led a campaign in Parliament that secured a major change in the law: a new Domestic Abuse flag on criminal records to ensure risk is properly identified and managed, including by probation. His message was clear: determined campaigning works.
But the heart of his speech was a tribute to those working on the frontline especially after the shocking attack on a probation officer in Preston. “Probation officers are the unsung heroes of our criminal justice system… too often left behind.”
Josh promised to keep pushing for reform and recognition. “I will keep fighting to ensure you get the support you need. You deserve nothing less.”
His call to action echoed through the room: change happens when voices like yours are heard and when champions like him amplify them.
2 responses
Praise and recognition doesn’t pay bills!!
£700 million for tagging and Ai but nothing for recruiting and retaining staff.
The voice of probation is not heard – Shocking!
As a parent, I have seen first hand the despair increase over the last 35 years of my son.
The following quote sums it up, as Probation is the ‘cork in the bottle’ and seen as ‘sediment’ instead of educated WORKERS.
Nowhere to turn. Un-recognized
PROBATION NEEDS A PAY RISE, “QUOTE”
While a wage keeping pace with the cost of living each year would have risen by 42.9% (compound) since 2010, pay in Probation has risen by just 1% over the same period, which means that thousands of pounds have been cut from the value of staff wages.