New service to reform offenders launched

Justice Secretary Elizabeth Truss has announced that a new frontline service focused on reforming offenders and cutting crime will launch in April 2017.

As part of the service, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) will replace the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and will be responsible for rolling out government’s reform programme to reduce reoffending and protect the public.

Supported by an additional £100 million to recruit an extra 2,500 officers, the new service will launch leadership and promotion programmes for prison and probation officers to further professionalise and build pride in the service.

Following the Prison Safety and Reform White Paper, which outlined an overhaul of the prisons estate, the new operationally focused service will take on responsibility for overall future policy direction, setting standards, scrutinising prison performance and commissioning services.

Truss said: “This new and operationally focused frontline service will implement the reforms we have announced to make our prisons safe and cut reoffending.

“Our prison and probation officers do a vital job and they deserve to work in a world-class organisation which supports them in reforming offenders and keeping the public safe. Creating HMPPS will bring clarity to managing our prisons and probation services while further professionalising staff and building pride in their work.”