Latest Blog Posts
Paying for the wrong results?
The MoJ published their initial payment mechanism for the Transforming Rehabilitation contracts back on 3rd June and asked for feedback. They are currently developing a final version which should be published before the procurement process starts – scheduled for 23rd August. Last week, the Social Market Foundation published a paper by its director Ian Mulheirn which analysed the payment mechanism in forensic detail and came up with the devastating conclusion that : The payment mechanism encourages providers to cut spending on services and allow reoffending to drift marginally upwards.
Relationships and ongoing assessment are key to reducing reoffending
The authors noted that assessment of some needs (particularly “Attitudes” and education and training) tended to be more accurate later in the community sentence, when the Offender Manager had developed a relationship with the person they were supervising. Similarly, offenders’ feedback on their Community Order was particularly positive when they perceived that the Offender Manager understood their needs. There seem to be two key lessons to be drawn from this research for those planning new models of service delivery…
The risky business of Social Impact Bonds
Will SIBs become a mainstream way of funding public services? My take on new Social Market Foundation report. “Effective transfer of financial accountability is the holy grail of public service reform” The main mechanism for this has been payment by results with which Social Impact Bonds are closely associated. Social Impact Bonds and PbR appear to be a good fit:
Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean the Internet’s not out to get me
This new infographic commissioned by the Huffington Post from Visually gives an excellent overview of the dangers of identity theft. Did you know you can buy the personal information of 100 people for just $9.95
What can Transforming Rehabilitation learn from the Work Programme?
Once again, the intensely party political shaping of public policy makes for uncomfortable results. It takes a politician with the drive and uncompromising approach of Chris Grayling to effect change within a five year cycle. But there is not sufficient time to establish a properly thought-through model which has a decent chance of delivering improved public services. In some ways Transforming Rehabilitation crystallises this problem – the payment by results pilots were cancelled in order to focus on a rapid roll-out of a completely untested model.
The latest on re-offending rates
Last week the MoJ published the latest data on re-offending rates. These figures will be scrutinised more closely than ever given the upcoming privatisation of the probation service via the government’s Transforming Rehabilitation project.
Proponents and critics of TR will seek to find ammunition for their cause. And those seeking to win the new reoffending contracts will be delving into the small print. I’ve done some very basic analysis to try to identify key trends…
Employ Russell
Keep up-to-date with drugs & Crime
Explore > 2,000 blog posts
Browse by category
Alcohol/Drugs/Gambling
The latest research, policy & practice in addictions.
Probation
The latest developments in probation reform & practice.
Prison
Can prison service get back to providing a positive regime?
Criminal Justice
Latest crime stats, plus developments on courts, diversion etc.
Policing
How are the police adapting to cybercrime & demands of policing in 21st century?
Innovation
The newest digital technology, latest apps and much more
client feedback
Testimonials
