Prison, probation services shake-up

Prison and probation services will be brought together under a
National Offender Management Service (Noms) to be established in
June, home secretary David Blunkett announced this week.

The creation of the body follows recommendations in an independent
review of correctional services and will ensure that any progress
prisoners make is followed through in the community.

The commissioner for correctional services, Martin Narey, has been
appointed chief executive of the new service and will be held
explicitly accountable for reducing re-offending. Narey said a 10
per cent reduction in re-offending rates could be achieved with
these measures.

Narey will continue to oversee the Youth Justice Board, although it
will remain a separate correctional agency alongside Noms.