The early release scheme is just a band-aid | News, Press release | News

“Probation staff feel the pressure. Early release may be a solution to prison overcrowding, but it places a heavier workload and stress on an already overburdened probation team.

“The previous government collapsed the justice system and completely failed to control the prison population. That’s why the parole plan can only be a band-aid response. It must be replaced by a costly and effective plan to reduce the prison population.

“The prison system is failing prisoners and communities because it is not effectively rehabilitating people. The government’s review of sentencing should hopefully lead to courts handing down more community sentences and jailing fewer women.

“But the probation service requires significant investment, including pay increases, to tackle deep-seated recruitment and retention problems.

“It must also be returned to local service delivery and local democratic accountability led by police and crime commissioners and elected mayors.”

Notes for editors:
– UNISON is Britain’s largest trade union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, policing and energy. They work in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

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