§ Mr. Charles Wardleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the report of the working group reviewing the role of the probation service in prison establishments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThe report of the working group has been presented to the Prison Board which broadly endorsed the principles of prisoner throughcare and shared working recommended by the working group. The report's implications are now being studied by my Department and, following consultation with the staff associations concerned, we intend to issue in the new year a joint circular to prison governors and chief probation officers on how the report's recommendations may be carried forward. Copies of the report are being sent to prison governors, chief probation officers and the relevant trade unions, and a copy has been placed in the Library.