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Centenary celebrations for the National Probation Service

19.6.07

The National Probation Service celebrated its centenary at Westminster Abbey on Monday 11 June.

The celebrations started at midday with a multi-faith service, hosted by the Dean of Westminster Abbey and the Chapter of Westminster, which included prayers and readings from the Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim faiths.

Those attending the thanksgiving service included current and retired probation staff and many who have worked alongside the Probation Service, with offenders or in the courts.

In the afternoon a conference took place at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre, chaired by Moira Stewart of BBC News.

Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, addressed the conference. His speech (new window) underlined community sentences as safe, tough and effective. Lord Falconer challenged the Probation Service to be the best it can possibly be, by asking staff to tell him their ideas and solutions to the issues the service faces.

Minister of State David Hanson MP and Roger Hill, Head of the Probation Service, also spoke. David Hanson’s speech (new window) emphasised the need to fully embed Offender Management within the NOMS system. Roger Hill’s speech (new window) described the progress of the Probation Service and the challenges ahead.