Amy Rees – Director General Probation, Wales and Youth
Update message to staff – Monday 25 October
Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and I am always proud to showcase their professionalism to others within and outside the Probation Service family.
Recently I enjoyed chairing one of my favourite meetings, my Probation Staff Engagement Group where colleagues from across the regions and a range of roles discuss various topics centred on operational delivery. I was delighted to welcome Antonia Romeo, MOJ Permanent Secretary, to this latest meeting and for her to meet the group and hear their honest feedback about the day-to-day reality of delivering our services.
The group’s informed views brought to life many of the key challenges we are working hard to address, including the effects of pandemic restrictions, resource shortages and the need to improve our workplaces. What was absolutely apparent through all our discussions was the incredible pride our people have in their work and the passion they have for making a difference for those we support and protect. Anyone attending that meeting would have left with a clear impression of the talented people we have across our organisation working together to take probation to the next level. Thank you to everyone in the group for another insightful and productive conversation.
Roz Hamilton
When it comes to outstanding people, Roz Hamilton is a name that often comes to the fore. Roz is now retiring after having dedicated more than 40 years to the Probation Service, most recently in the role of Probation Deputy Director Courts. Roz, who was awarded a CBE in 2018, has been an inspiration to so many colleagues throughout her career. We will be sad to see Roz leave but she will not be forgotten, in part due to our Ashton Probation Office in Greater Manchester now being named Roz Hamilton House. A fitting tribute for an exceptional person. My sincere thanks, Roz, for your incredible service – you leave with all our very best wishes for the next exciting chapter of your life.
Finally, thank you to the thousands of you who have already shared your views by completing the People Survey. I appreciate it can be difficult to pause from your busy days to take part, however I can assure you it is time well spent. If you are yet to speak up, you have until 3 November to tell us what is working well and where we could do things differently or better. You will need your team code to complete the survey, which you can find here. Your views really do matter to us. Thank you.
SPOTLIGHT ON: ELECTRONIC MONITORING
With the Secretary of State having recently announced an ambitious three-year, £180-million plan to expand the use of electronic monitoring (EM), our spotlight this week falls on the work of EM colleagues.
The team has exciting plans to build on their world-leading approach in this area and across probation we have an important contribution to make, working closely with our EM colleagues to realise the full benefits EM could have both to protect the public and reduce reoffending.
You can read our spotlight feature here.
Thank you as ever for all you are doing
