MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
News Release (152/08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 26
November 2008
Fixed targets for
outsourcing work to private companies, voluntary groups and public
service organisations by the probation service have been scrapped,
Justice Minister David Hanson said today.
All 42 probation areas in England and Wales will now use a Best
Value model, as used by local government bodies, when awarding
contracts in order to ensure best value for the taxpayer.
The decision to introduce the "Best Value" model was
introduced through parliament in the Offender Management Act last
year and the decision of how it would work was decided after a
four month public consultation which ended in July. All probation
areas are expected to be applying the model by April 2010.
David Hanson said:
"We want the best possible systems to manage offenders in
the community, to protect the public and reduce re-offending while
ensuring best value for the taxpayer.
"Following a public consultation we will be rolling out the
Best Value model to all services funded by probation boards and
trusts. We are learning from the experience of local government
bodies and I believe it will lead to improvements in the Probation Service."
Assessments made using the Best Value model will not favour one
service provider over another but ensure the public and offenders
get the best service at a reasonable cost.
If Best Value reviews indicate a service should be competed, such
competition will be conducted within a regulatory framework,
developed to ensure fairness and transparency. The regulatory
framework for competitions will be published by April next year.
The consultation this year invited the public to comment on a
proposed model for how the Best Value scheme would work. The
responses have helped to further develop the scheme.
The Best Value model was first introduced into local government
in April 2000, under the provisions of the Local Government Act
1999. It placed on local authorities a duty to make arrangements
to secure continuous improvement in the way in which they carried
out their functions, with regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
As part of the Offender Management Act 2007 the provision of
assistance to courts will be retained within the public sector
until Parliament agrees otherwise. There is also a wider
commitment to retain the management of offenders (such as
supervising offenders in custody or on licence) in the public
sector until 2010.
Notes to Editors
1. Members of the public can contact our enquiry point on 020
3334 3555.
News Release
http://www.justice.gov.uk
ENDS