This comment piece is based on the experience of a Chief Probation Officer, who became a Probation Board Chair, and who had been at the beginning of Youth Justice reforms as well as member of an Independent Inquiry into ‘Alternatives to Custody’ (Coulsfield, 2004) — all during the thirteen years of the Labour Government. Some of the personal factors effecting policy developments are described, followed by some achievements as well as what the author considers critical failures of the New Labour years. In conclusion, the author offers four pieces of advice for the next Administration.
Blair, A. ( 2007) ‘I Got It Wrong on Problem Families, Admits Blair’ , Daily Telegraph, 28 April 2007.
2.
Coulsfield, Lord ( 2004) Crime, Courts and Confidence - Report of an Independent Inquiry into Alternatives to Prison. London: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
3.
Criminal Justice Matters (2010) No. 79, March 2010, pp. 20-35.
4.
Fullwood, C. ( 2010) ‘Hope, Voice and Passion - Talk to Probation Chiefs Association Annual Meeting’, 19 January 2010.
5.
Gregg, D.P. ( 2007) ‘Letter to the Editor’, Daily Telegraph, 1 May 2007.
6.
Gregg, D.P. ( 2010) ‘The ASBO Jihad: A Twenty-first Century Witch Hunt’ , Criminal Justice Matters79(1): 34-35.
7.
House of Commons Justice Committee (2010) Cutting Crime: The Case for Justice Reinvestment, Volume 1. London: The Stationery Office .
8.
Local Government Association (2005) Going Straight - Reducing Re-offending in Local Communities. London: Local Government Association.
9.
Rose, Lord Justice ( 1998) ‘Criminal Justice - An Impossible Goal?’, Lecture at Manchester Town Hall, 20 November 1998.
