October 15, 2008: Jobs Axed in Probation, Prisons, And Courts

According to a report in the Times today, almost 10,000 jobs are to be cut in the probation, prison and court services. It is clear that the criminal justice system will not be immune from the drastic impact of the current economic turmoil.

At £900 million is to be saved by the Ministry of Justice over the next 24 months. According the Times, a confidential presentation by a top civil servant at the Ministry of Justice has outlined the measures which are to be taken in order to save the required sum. This is indicative of the wide-ranging impact of the current economic turmoil.

These measures are alleged to include the axing of 9,891 jobs in the prison, probation and court services. This is more than one in every ten workers in these areas. There will also be a freeze on new recruiting. One hundred courts may have to close.

Other policies which will be affected are said to include the creation of an independent commissioner for victims of crime, and funding for moves to combat teenage gang violence.

Responding to the news story, detailing the job losses across the criminal justice system, Harry Fletcher, Assistant General Secretary of probation union Napo, said:

“The criminal justice system is already in crisis. Both the Prison and Probation Services are full and the courts are overstretched. Losing 10,000 jobs over the next two years will result in system meltdown. The cuts will come at a time of a major recession which will result in a surge in property and acquisitive crime. This coupled with the cuts will mean that the criminal justice system will be unable to fulfil its statutory duties.”

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