Goodbye NOMS – Where to next?
| Author | Nicola Carr |
| Published date | 01 June 2017 |
| Date | 01 June 2017 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0264550517710872 |
| Subject Matter | Editorial |
Editorial
The Journal of Community and Criminal Justice
Probation Journal
Goodbye NOMS –
2017, Vol. 64(2) 91–93
ª The Author(s) 2017
Where to next?
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DOI: 10.1177/0264550517710872
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In the past few months we have seen further changes that will impact on the future of
probation in England and Wales. In April 2017 Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation
Service (HMPPS) replaced the National Offender Management Service (NOMS).
The press release heralding this change, noted that HMPPS would be a ‘new
frontline service focused on reforming offenders and cutting crime’ (HMPPS, 2017).
Like NOMS, HMPPS consists of HM Prison Service and the National Probation
Service; however, its establishment sees a break between operations and policy.
HMPPS, we are told, will be ‘delivery focused’, while responsibility for commis-
sioning, policy development, standards and performance scrutiny will now reside
with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
It is worth reminding ourselves of the genesis of NOMS. Established following the
Carter Review of Correctional Services (2003), it was intended to provide the
overarching organizational structure that would deliver on end-to-end offender
management. The vision of a seamless movement of offenders from custody to
community has been described as a ‘penal imaginary’ (Worrall, 2008: 113).
Those writing at the time voiced concerns that probation would be overwhelmed in
any organizational structure combining prisons and probation (Bhui, 2005), and
certainly that is something that came to pass. During the lifetime of NOMS we have
seen a record growth in the prison population, and the dismantling of probation
services under Transforming Rehabilitation.
The establishment of HMPPS is linked to proposed prison reforms. Prior to the
snap election the Prison and Courts Bill had been working its way through the
legislative stages of parliament. We don’t know what will ultimately happen with
...
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