Shake-up for probation service

2:07pm Thursday 3rd April 2008

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A SHAKE-UP in the way the probation service is organised will benefit Wyre Forest people, it has been claimed.

James Kelly, chairman of the new West Mercia Probation Trust, believes his officers can better help tackle the district's crime level now the service is no longer directly run by the Government.

Speaking at the trust's launch, he said: "Now we can listen to people locally and be able to help the community with the offenders in their midst.

"We can tackle some of the big issues, like alcohol and drug abuse, and get offenders off the streets."

The trust has replaced West Mercia Probation and is now employed by the Ministry of Justice - MoJ - on contract, with the aim of helping rehabilitate offenders back into society.

Before the change, the probation service was an arm of the MoJ and had to work within the ministry's guidelines.

The trust will now have more freedom to set up more multi-agency projects and tailor agreements with district groups to tackle crime trends specific to Wyre Forest, according to trust chief executive, David Chantler.

Partnerships had already been formed with the Oldington and Foley Park Community Network, training offenders in furniture repair skills and the clean-up of St George's Park through the Horsefair, Broadwaters and Greenhill Partnership.

A new joint-funded scheme currently in the pipeline will involve work with police and Worcestershire County Council to tackle domestic abuse.

Community groups can apply for offenders' labour by visiting the Community Payback area of the trust's website at www.westmerciaprobation.org.uk The body is one of six pathfinder probation trusts being piloted across the country and has been backed by Mark Johnson, an ex-offender and former heroin addict from Kidderminster, who now advises the Government on rehabilitating criminals.

He returned to the town where he grew up to address probation workers at the trust's launch ceremony in their Leswell Street office yesterday.

Mr Johnson, 37, said: "It is a privilege to be back in Kidderminster, as it is such a special place for me.

"I served two prison sentences while I was living here so it is poignant I am now back in my role as adviser."