Preferred bidders in all but one of the Transforming Rehabilitation contract areas include civil society bodies as partners in their bids, according to a list published today by the Ministry of Justice.
But a civil society organisation is the lead bidder in only one area - Durham Tees Valley - which is also the only area to have no involvement from a private company. That contract was won by a joint venture, Achieving Real Change in Communities Community Interest Company, which involves a mix of eight voluntary and public sector bodies.
Transforming Rehabilitation is the government's flagship programme to reform probation services, and will see probation trusts across England and Wales replaced with 21 prime providers, known as community rehabilitation companies, who will work with low and medium-risk offenders.
In addition to probation services, the programme will see providers work with offenders to prevent recidivism on a payment by results basis.
Eight charities are involved in prime provider partnerships. Other civil society organisations that are involved include social enterprises and social housing organisations, as well as probation staff mutuals - employee-owned bodies set up by staff from probation trusts. Public organisations include NHS foundation trusts and local authorities.
Among charities, Nacro is involved in the most areas, six, all of them in partnership with the private company Sodexo Justice Services. Addaction, P3 and Shelter, as well as the social enterprise 3SC are part of Purple Futures, which is led by Interserve plc, that is the preferred bidder in five areas.
The Reducing Reoffending Partnership, which involves Ingeus UK, a private company, St Giles Trust and Crime Reduction Initiatives is the preferred bidder in two areas.
Working Links, which is also a prime contractor for the Work Programme, is the preferred bidder in three areas. It is working in partnership with a probation staff mutual, Innovation Wessex.
Kent, Surrey and Sussex is the only area to have any involvement from a civil society organisation, with Seetec Business Technology Centre being named as the preferred bidder.
Three quarters of the 300 subcontractors are voluntary or mutual organsiations. Of the 1,000 organisaitons that have put themselves forward to work with chosen providers 700 are voluntary, community or social enterprises.
