PRISONS AND PROBATION RECIPES FOR DISASTER TO BE AVOIDED

When I was sitting some of the most difficult decisions involved a  child`s non attendance at school.  Owing to the legal framework under which these cases were brought it was sometimes required of us to find a verdict of guilty where saying the word stuck in the craw. A determined father in the Isle of Wight used the letter of the law to convince magistrates that he was not guilty of failing to ensure his daughter attended school regularly. I would hope that this well intended legislation whilst Michael Gove was in charge will be seen now for what it is; a well intended act with unintended consequences and be suitably  amended.  When political conviction runs ahead of common sense trouble ensues.  Just ask George Osborne.......bedroom tax, disability allowance, child benefit, tax credits.  Perhaps the penny will drop at Petty France that prisons and probation service farmed out to pay by results providers is a recipe for disaster.