The Justice Select Committee recently tackled some of the most pressing issues in the justice system, covering topics like community sentencing, pressures on probation, and the ongoing challenges around indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP). It was encouraging to see these discussions align closely with concerns Napo has consistently raised.
Community Sentencing: Real Impact
Lord Timpson, Prisons, Parole and Probation Minister, spoke passionately about the potential of community sentences to change lives when used well. “If you pick the right offender with the right offence, at the right time, community sentencing can be very powerful,” he said, pointing to evidence that electronic monitoring can cut reoffending rates in half.
He also shared an inspiring story from Birmingham’s intensive supervision court for female offenders. “Most of these women would have gone straight into custody,” he said, but the court’s collaborative approach—bringing in mental health, addiction, and housing specialists—changed their trajectories. Reflecting on their progress, he added: “In the morning, they looked beaten and broken. By the afternoon, after six months of intensive supervision, they came bouncing in with smiles on their faces.”
Probation Services: Stepping Up Under Pressure
The probation service has faced increasing demands, further compounded by SDS40 which will see an estimated 5,500 prisoners in total released early. Amy Rees, Director General of HMPPS, praised the dedication of staff. “Probation staff were absolutely brilliant,” she said, highlighting their ability to meet tight deadlines.
However, both Rees and Timpson acknowledged the need to reduce administrative burdens. “Whenever I ask probation officers what would help them do their job better, the first thing they say is, ‘Please help us to do less copy and paste,’” said the Minister, stressing the importance of investing in technology to free up officers for more meaningful work with clients.
Tackling IPP Sentences
IPP sentences, which have left many prisoners stuck in limbo, remain a complex issue. Lord Timpson stressed the need to help these individuals reintegrate safely. “We need to do all we can to help IPP-sentenced prisoners get out safely and protect the public,” he said, noting that around 30% are in facilities where they can’t access necessary support.
Rees added that progress requires detailed, tailored plans for each prisoner. “It’s about taking the individual and asking what they need at which point in their sentence,” she explained, though she acknowledged the process is complicated.
When asked about a resentencing scheme, Lord Timpson held firm. “Public safety has to be our No. 1 priority,” he said. “Resentencing and automatic releases wouldn’t improve public safety.”
Napo’s Influence: Bringing Member Concerns to Parliament
For Napo, this session was validation of the issues the union has worked hard to bring to Parliament’s attention. General Secretary Ian Lawrence commented: “I was pleased to see that the themes the Committee focused on reflected the issues we’ve raised with Government Ministers and through our members’ direct contact with local MPs.”
Ian highlighted Napo’s consistent advocacy, including “regular briefings to the Justice Unions Parliamentary Group via Tania Bassett and our engagement with Napo’s Parliamentary Consultants,” as instrumental in ensuring members’ voices are heard at the highest levels.
These discussions show how far-reaching Napo’s influence can be, even if it’s not always visible. Whether through lobbying, empowering members to engage with MPs, or providing detailed briefings, Napo is ensuring its members’ concerns shape the conversation on justice reform.
