CABINET OFFICE News
Release (CAB014/09) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 3 March 2009
Baroness Julia
Neuberger, the Government's independent volunteering
Champion, today called for more offenders to be able to volunteer
as part of their rehabilitation.
Baroness Neuberger said: "There simply wouldn't be a
reliable criminal justice system in this country without the
dedication of volunteers so I want to see more emphasis put on
their role right across the system."
A report published today by Baroness Neuberger recognises that
volunteers already have a hugely important role in the criminal
justice system. There are some 30,000 volunteers working as
Magistrates, 6,000 Victim Support volunteers and 14,000 special
constables to name just a few. However, she felt that more could
be done to tap into the potential of people who have experienced
the system becoming volunteers.
Baroness Neuberger went on to say: "There is particular
potential for people who've experienced the system to support
others. Nobody is better placed to work with prisoners and reduce
re-offending than someone who has experienced prison. A positive
Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check could sometimes be viewed as an
advantage for certain voluntary roles.
"Volunteers are not a cheap way of delivering public
services, nor can they replace paid staff but they have huge
potential to improve the system so I want to see more volunteers
encouraged to take part." Kevin Brennan, Minister for the
Third Sector, added: "This report has some bold ideas to
unleash the great potential that volunteers have to help improve
public services and I welcome it."
The report found that volunteers could 'blow fresh air'
into often closed institutions. However, it did find that whilst
some parts of the criminal justice system rely heavily on
volunteers, particularly in the care of victims, other sections
remain suspicious of involving volunteers in their work.
Other recommendations include:
* A permanent Volunteering Champion to co-ordinate good
volunteering practice across the CJS agencies.
* Joint Guidance, by the trade union movement and Volunteering
England, on the use of volunteers within the public services.
* Government to work with partners to develop a sustainable
funding model for victims' organisations.
* More government funding for specific volunteering schemes for offenders.
* All agencies of the CJS should have a strategy to engage the
skills of ex-offenders in volunteering.
* Guidance to help local criminal justice boards and the people
who commission CJS services to consider the involvement of volunteers.
* Local agencies like courts, police authorities and probation
boards should invest in volunteer management.
Notes to editors
1. To view the full report 'Volunteering across the Criminal
Justice System please go to: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/124076/volunteers%20in%20cjs.pdf
2. Baroness Neuberger was appointed as the Government's
volunteering champion in June 2007. She works closely with Kevin
Brennan, the Minister for the Third Sector, and reports directly
to the Prime Minister.
3. In March 2008 Baroness Neuberger published her report,
Volunteering in Health and Social Care. The first in a series
examining the role of volunteers in public services. It found much
potential to expand volunteering in health and social care to
create more people-centred services, and a better understanding of
service users. To view the report please go to: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/third_sector/assets/neuberger.pdf
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