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52 Prob. J. 5 (2005)

handle is hein.journals/probj52 and id is 1 raw text is: Probation Editorial The Journal of Community and Criminal Justice Copyright © 2005 NAPO Vol 52(1): 5-7 DOI: 10.1177/0264550505052796 www.napo.org.uk www.sagepublications.com Probation's heritage and future A t the time of writing (December 2004), the implications for the future of probation work of the new National Offender Management Service (NOMS) in England and Wales are becoming a little clearer. The NOMS leadership has indicated that by 2007 all 'offender managers', 65 per cent of the current probation service, will be responsible to the regional offender managers. The remaining 35 per cent of probation staff will become part of 'public sector inter- ventions', where they will be in direct competition with private, voluntary and community sector service providers. Although details are still in short supply, it seems clear that by 2007 there will no longer be a National Probation Service. The dangers of such changes have by now been well rehearsed, both in this Journal and elsewhere. A recurring theme is the impact of the new structure upon the professional identity of probation staff, and on what might be termed probation's 'soul'; that is, the values that have emerged from the historical circum- stances and enduring concerns which have driven the service on to achieve its care and control balancing act over the last hundred years. Several articles in this issue consider the drivers of change in nearby jurisdic- tions at different stages of professional and political development. Their analyses allow for interesting comparisons to the approaching era of post-probation in England and Wales (the word 'probation' is not even mentioned in the latest Criminal Justice Act), and the concerns expressed in these articles will certainly resonate with stages of the English and Welsh experience. Fergus McNeill's 'Remembering probation in Scotland' encourages the develop- ment of the historical literacy which is essential to a clear sense of professional identity for those working in changing services on both sides of the border. His review of the early history of probation in Scotland provides the backdrop against which the recent move towards a service underpinned more by the requirements of public protection than by welfare concerns can be better understood. Since the acceptance of this article, the debate about the future shape of criminal justice social work in Scotland has moved on. In December 2004, the Scottish Executive published 'Supporting Stronger, Safer Communities: Scotland's Criminal Justice Plan'. The measures outlined in this document include the establishment both of 5

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