BASW Criminal Justice PPEG writes to MPs

BASW England’s Criminal Justice Policy, Practice and Education Group has written to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, David Gauke MP, “expressing concern” over proposals to re-let the Community Rehabilitation Company contracts.

The letter follows – and fully endorses – the concerns laid out in a letter to the government by the Probation Institute.

The PPEG’s concerns are widespread, but chiefly focus on the the long-term future and viability of these contracts, and the short time frame that the government proposes during which it is intended to re-align and re-let these undertakings.

Brexit is also cited as ongoing issue which is clouding the analysis of any legislative amendments concerning this sector.

Below is the full letter from the PPEG:

Dear Secretary of State

I am writing on behalf of the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) in support of the group, headed by the Probation Institute, who in a letter dated the 11th January 2019, wrote to you expressing concern regarding the proposal to re-let the Community Rehabilitation Company contracts.

BASW is the professional association for social work in the UK, with offices in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. With over 20,000 members, we exist to provide the best possible social work services for all people who may need them, while also securing the wellbeing of social workers.

We fully endorse the contents of the Probation Institute’s letter. We also consider that the recent suggestion, made by the Prisons Minister, that all short-term prison sentences of up to six months in length should be abolished and replaced by community-based interventions adds greatly to the arguments already put before you.

Yours sincerely

Francis Boylan

Chair, BASW Criminal Justice Policy, Practice and Education Group