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Press releasesREF: PR/56/07 DATE: 12th November 2007 To: ALL POLITICAL PRESS RELEASE Tories to Head Study on Penal ReformThe announcement by the Conservative party that it intends to conduct a review into Penal Reform has been welcomed by leaders of the POA. Former Tory leader, Iain Duncan Smith will today announce the appointment of Jonathan Aitkin to lead the study into Penal Reform. Mr Aitkin a former cabinet office minister was imprisoned some 8 years ago for perjury and served 7 months in prison. Leaders of the Labour Party have reacted angrily to the appointment. Colin Moses National Chairman of the POA said, "The POA welcomes this long overdue review and we will fully co-operate with the Conservatives as they look to put forward plans to change the Criminal Justice System and Prison Service." When asked about the appointment of Mr Aitkin, Mr. Moses said, "It is a matter for the Conservatives who they appoint. We will work along side anyone who has the interest of the public at heart and is willing to listen to front line staff; staff who have to manage dangerous and overcrowded prison's every minute of everyday." When asked, what the union hoped the study would achieve, he said: "Fully staffed and safe prisons, sufficient prison places to hold prisoners in safe and decent conditions, a prison population with sentences that protect the public, fit the crime and allow the professional men and women of the service to address the offending behaviour of prisoner's and prepare them to lead law abiding lives upon release. Finally, to look at the root causes of the system and put in place a foundation to build on so that Public Services remain a priority of every Government." Mr Moses went on to say, “The majority of the POA leadership were either members of the Labour Government or a supporter. However, the POA will support any party if that party has the interest of the public and prison service at heart and not just the purse strings of treasury”. Brian Caton General Secretary of the POA said: "We welcome any review that will look at the needs of the staff, prisoners and the Service. The Prison Service is in crisis and has been mismanaged for too long. The lack of adequate investment in the criminal justice system for the last 10 years or more has resulted in the problems we face today, and will continue to face if something isn't done soon. It is a sad day that the Conservatives have to take the lead, but this does not surprise me. New Labour is reluctant to sit down and talk to those who know what the real problems are. Therefore, the POA stand ready to engage with anyone if they are truly committed to seeking real and necessary reform to Prisons."
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