HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) will have full
responsibility for the operational management of offenders in
custody and the community, including strengthening security in
prisons, building intelligence about criminal gangs and
supporting offenders when they are released.
The introduction of the new service coincides with prison
governors being given greater control over how they run their
establishments – a key commitment in the Prison Safety and Reform
White Paper.
The Secretary of State pledged in November to recruit 2,500 staff
to bolster the frontline as well as introducing a comprehensive
package of measures to improve safety and security across the
estate.
Probation services will also be more empowered in providing
support to offenders both under our supervision and in the
community when they come out of prison. As part of the further
growth opportunities we are enhancing professional qualifications
for probation officers and increasing the integration of prison
and probation services.
The launch of HMPPS, alongside development opportunities for
staff, will further professionalise and build pride in the
service.
Justice Secretary said:
The creation of Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service is
part of our far-reaching changes that will ultimately reduce
reoffending and make prisons places of safety and reform.
We are building a Service that is focused and driven to make
our prisons safe and reduce the risk of reoffending, in turn
creating fewer victims of crime and safer communities.
The launch of this new organisation is a crucial step towards
achieving our reforms. Staff will be given the training and
support they need to succeed so they can be proud to work for
an agency that will help to transform lives.
The new operationally focused service will be supported by the
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) taking on responsibility for overall
future policy direction, setting standards, scrutinising prison
performance and commissioning services.
As part of the Government’s commitment to boost opportunities for
staff in the newly-formed HMPPS, we are creating 2,000 new senior
promotion opportunities for valued and experienced prison
officers to progress into.
Apprenticeship schemes are being launched to give recruits a
clear progression pathway, underlining the Government’s
commitment to develop the skills of prison and probation staff.
HMPPS Chief Executive Michael Spurr said:
The launch of HMPPS is being backed by new investment which
will make a real difference to the work we do with offenders
both in prisons and in the community.
We have a compelling reform agenda and the new Agency will
focus relentlessly on improving performance to better protect
the public and reduce reoffending.
From today (April 3), governors in all adult prisons in England
will take control of budgets, allowing them to decide how they
spend money rather than being given specific budgets for
different things.
They will be able to develop local commercial relationships with
businesses to provide work opportunities for their prisoners, and
reinvest income to deliver additional services in their prison.
Governors will have more flexibility in setting staffing
structures and the ability to hire people with the skills they
think their prison needs, whilst they will also be directly
involved in the decision making process for commission health
services for their establishment.
The launch of HMPPS will be supported by measures in the
ground-breaking Prisons and Courts Bill, which sets out a new
framework and clear system of accountability for prisons. For the
first time, it enshrines into law the purpose of prison and sets
out that a key aim for prisons is to reform and rehabilitate
offenders.
It is further backed by measures in the Prison Safety and Reform
White Paper, which identifies a clear structure of accountability
for delivering reform.
