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Commissioning
When Police Commissioners rule the world…

I’ve never really understood why right-wing think tanks have been such strong advocates of Police and Crime Commissioners expanding their powers at such an early stage in their existence. Reform published a report before PCCs were even elected which advocated that they should be in control not only of local police and criminal justice agencies but the fire and rescue and ambulance services too. Yesterday, Policy Exchange published Power Down: A plan for a cheaper, more effective justice system which again placed PCCs at the centre of change.

23rd August 2013
On Probation
Dear Mr Grayling… My Transforming Rehabilitation wish list

Like a young child writing to Santa, I don’t quite know where to begin with my wish list of all the things I’d like to know from NOMS before the Transforming Rehabilitation procurement process starts in earnest. Perhaps the obvious first request is to know when the PQQ process is going to start and end? And will it be the rumoured “light touch” process to ensure that most new entrants, including probation mutuals, will have a good chance of getting through? Or will it be the (also rumoured)…

19th August 2013
On Probation
Five stages to spinning out a probation mutual

Employee engagement was central to driving forward plans to transform ourselves from a service-based and passive organisation to a dynamic commercially focused one. We had to recognise that our future careers depended on us developing products, delivering great service, attracting and motivating the best staff and persuading potential customers that we are the best option for all their training needs in the sector. We wanted to turn ourselves into a mutual where employees have a stake…

15th August 2013
On Probation
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.

13th August 2013
On Probation
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…

8th August 2013
Payment by Results
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:

6th August 2013

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"Russell goes about his craft in a way that is both supportive, taking account of competing pressures on those he seeks to engage, and challenging through honest feedback and thought provoking conclusions."
Carrie Peters
Carrie PetersDirector of Operations, Ingeus Justice
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Mike TraceCEO, Forward Trust
"Russell is a canny analyst of all things in criminal justice reform. His helpful takes on policy development and his good use of digital media makes him one of the most useful people to know in the sector. His clear-eyed scrutiny of payment by results and the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms is particularly impressive."
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Andrew NeilsonThe Howard League
"Russell is incredibly knowledgeable and he is also an extremely good listener. His criminal justice experience means that as well as setting up an evaluation system for Fine Cell Work, he has helped to shepherd us through the planning needed for a big, new piece of work. All of our team have found him an absolute pleasure to work with."
Katy Emck
Katy EmckCEO, Fine Cell Work
“Russell Webster is a pleasure to work with. His wealth of experience and knowledge with an ability to write really accessible information for a range of audiences are a great combination. He has a deep understanding of a wide range of issues in criminal justice which he puts to use in a variety of ways. We find working with Russell very beneficial for our charity’s audiences’ needs”
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."
CHARLIE WEINBERG
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
"If Russell covers something you know it's likely to be important, and have implications for policy and practice. His analysis of the crime and drug policy world always gets to the nub of the issues and provides a way of cutting through to the heart of what's important."
ANDREW BROWNHead of Drug and Alcohol Improvement at Public Health England
"The best source of information on Payment by Results is russellwebster.com"
FIONA SHEIL
FIONA SHEILVoluntary Sector Expert
"Russell is a mine of information, he's my go to for anything criminal justice related and I often refer people to him and his work, which is always accurate and accessible - no mean feat given the ever-changing landscape. Not only is Russell an expert in his field, he's an approachable and helpful person too; making him a pleasure to work alongside."
JOE GARDHAM
JOE GARDHAM CEO
"Russell’s explanations and summaries are always helpful and often more helpful to me than the original report. He provides me the basis of the subject with up-to-date, accurate, evidence-based information and critical analysis but always with compassion and understanding. It is a rare combination in these times."
Chris Ford
Chris FordSubstance Misuse Expert
"No nonsense interpretation about PbR, huge respect for Russell’s unwavering determination to make a difference."
Richard Rowley
Richard RowleyCriminal Justice Consultant
"Russell was the Evaluator on the project I led. I found him to be extremely useful as much more than someone 'marking my homework' which was the role I expected him to take. His experience helped guide me forward, avoid mistakes I might have made, and steady my nerves when I got rattled. An excellent person to have on the team"
James Caplin
James CaplinExecutive Coach
"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."
Sam Sanderson
Sam SandersonSussex Police
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Peter Dawson
Peter DawsonDirector, Prison Reform Trust

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