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On Probation
The price of women in prison, a race to the bottom

The first recommendation of the Corston Report was that “[e]very agency within the criminal justice system must prioritise and accelerate preparations to implement the gender equality duty and radically transform the way they deliver services for women On Friday, the MoJ put out three documents , a response to the Justice Committee’s report, an overview of the women’s custodial estate and a stock take of community services.

29th October 2013
On Probation
Distinguished criminal justice expert Rob Allen questions whole structure of Transforming Rehabilitation

Rob Allen has a lifetime of experience in the youth justice, probation and prison sectors, in the latest in a series of interviews about the MoJ’s probation reform programme: Transforming Rehabilitation. He questions the whole structure of TR, the speed of change and thinks that even the positive measure of providing support to short term prisoners is likely to result in increased levels of custody…

28th October 2013
Finally Friday
I’m sorry Sir, it’s against the law

There are plenty of arcane, not to say bizarre laws in the UK. However, as usual, our US cousins outdo us in the strange and wacky department. There are American states where you can’t use public transport for four hours after eating garlic, where men with moustaches can’t kiss women and where the value of Pi is not 3.14, but 4…

25th October 2013
On Probation
Will the new resettlement prisons work?

One of the least controversial aspects of Transforming Rehabilitation, the Ministry of Justice’s project to reform the probation service, is the establishment of 71 resettlement prisons. These resettlement prisons are linked with one or more Contract Package Areas and the aim is for all prisoners to spend the last three months of their sentence in their local resettlement prison so that release plans can be properly developed. The MoJ target is to ensure that at least 80% adult male offenders will be released from these resettlement prisons. But is this target achievable…?
This post examines the challenges facing resettlement prisons.

23rd October 2013
On Probation
Clinks on the opportunities and risks of new probation system

Clive Martin, Director of Clinks, in the latest in a series of interviews about the MoJ’s probation reform programme: Transforming Rehabilitation. Clive sees the potential that TR will be a success but he also expresses serious concerns on a number of issues…

21st October 2013
On Probation
Modelling cohorts for Transforming Rehabilitation

Last week the MoJ published modelled data for the 6 years from 2005 to 2010, showing the number of offenders in each PbR cohort and the 1-year re-offending rates among those offenders. The report provides an historical picture of probation performance in reducing reoffending aimed at those organisations interested in winning the new probation contracts. It presents performance on a Contract Package Area, rather than Probation Trust, basis and it looks specifically at the group of offenders for whom the new Community Rehabilitation Companies will be responsible.

18th October 2013

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Andrew NeilsonThe Howard League
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Anne Fox
Anne FoxCEO, Clinks
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deborah cartwright
deborah cartwrightCEO, Oasis
"I have commissioned Russell to carry a number of research and evaluation projects of our work with long term unemployed people, in particular substance mis-users. Russell has demonstrated an inate ability to connect with our service users, staff and partners to produce highly objective and thought provoking pieces of work. Russell is an expert in his field, a passionate champion of social justice and I have always welcomed his input as a critical friend of our charity"
PHIL NICHOLS
PHIL NICHOLSSocial Enterprise & Skills Consultant
"Russell Webster consistently provides up to date, accurate and often hidden information alongside useful, critical and sometimes very funny analysis. His website is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the ever changing context of justice policy and practice. Working with Russell is a pleasure and his contriubution to the sector is invaluable. His update is one of the few regular emails I look forward to."
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CHARLIE WEINBERGCEO, Safe Ground
"Russell knows his way around the criminal justice system as well as anyone. He combines practical knowledge with a sharp intellect. But what is equally impressive is that his compassion shines through his work. From the day we met, Russell's advice has been invaluable; without it we would not be able to support some of our most important clients. I would (and do) recommend him without qualification"
GAVIN LOCKHART-MIRAMS
GAVIN LOCKHART-MIRAMSChief Exec, Crest Advisory
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ANDREW BROWNHead of Drug and Alcohol Improvement at Public Health England
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FIONA SHEIL
FIONA SHEILVoluntary Sector Expert
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Chris Ford
Chris FordSubstance Misuse Expert
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Richard Rowley
Richard RowleyCriminal Justice Consultant
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James Caplin
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"Russell worked with Sussex Police and Emerging Futures as an independent evaluator on a project aligned to the MOJ’s Female Offender Strategy from May 2018 to June 2019. Russell worked diligently with the team to collate data, feedback at all levels from commissioners, staff and Service Users building on case studies and contributing well to performance meetings. As a result, Russell provided an excellent final evaluation report."
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Peter DawsonDirector, Prison Reform Trust

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