Following the announcement by Secretary of State, David Gauke regarding the probation services, Bishop James Langstaff, Bishop of Rochester and Bishop to HM Prisons has said:
“I welcome the Secretary of State, David Gauke’s announcement that all probation services are to be brought back within one national service.
"The previous regime whereby many services were provided by a number of Community Rehabilitation Companies was ill-conceived and has not worked in practice.
“Both former prisoners and communities have not been served well. Launched under the banner of ‘Transforming Rehabilitation’, the system has not been transformative and has not rehabilitated. Re-offending rates are but one indicator of this.
“Within the proposed unitary service, there will no doubt continue to be multiple providers of particular services.
“I welcome the Secretary of State’s indication that the voluntary sector will have a significant role and look forward to further discussions about this.
"There is a wealth of experience within faith-based organisations, many of them Christian, who already work in mentoring, pastoral care, training and other fields of rehabilitation.
“I hope that the contribution of these organisation will be received positively within the reshaped arrangements. There is a great opportunity here for churches and Christian organisation to make a difference in one of the most challenging areas of national life.”