Friday 17, May 2013
Welcome ...
Welcome to this, my 135th news bulletin.
Many constituents write to me with their views on the law, but also about what happens to those who break it.
Whilst crime is down in Cheshire by a pleasing 5% - 3,245 fewer victims last year – a common theme in correspondence is that Crewe and Nantwich residents believe prisoners in this country have it too easy. After all, they are in prison to be punished, as well as rehabilitated.
I’m on the side of people who work hard and do the right thing, and it’s not right that some prisoners appear to be spending hours languishing in their cells and watching daytime television while the rest of the country goes out to work.
For too long, there has been an expectation that privileges are an automatic right, given simply as a reward for staying out of trouble. This cannot continue. Prisoners need to earn privileges, not simply through the avoidance of bad behaviour but also by working, taking part in education or accepting the opportunities to rehabilitate themselves.
I therefore welcome the news that prisoners across England and Wales will in future need to make real progress towards their own rehabilitation and work hard in prison before they can receive privileges, like access to television sets and being able to wear their own clothes.
Under the new policy, the mere absence of bad behaviour will not be enough to earn perks, as is the case at the moment. Other changes include:
- All convicted adult male prisoners will have to wear prison uniform whilst on the new Entry-level in prisons.
- In-cell television sets will not be provided for prisoners on basic level and no prisoner should be allowed to watch television when he should be working or engaging in purposeful activity.
- Prison regimes will change so that convicted prisoners will work a longer day and bad behaviour will lead to a downgrade in status.
Only by tackling bad behaviour and taking part in education or work programmes as well as addressing any alcohol or drug issues can we cut reoffending.
These tough and sensible reforms show that our prisons are becoming places of serious rehabilitation and reform. That way we can break the cycle of reoffending and make our streets and communities safer. I hope the public can now have confidence in the prison regime.
Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me, or if there is anything I can do to assist you.
You can forward this bulletin on to your friends and family, who can sign up themselves by clicking here for my website.
Best wishes,
Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich
Locally I have...
- Attended Wulvern Housing's event to mark the housinh association's tenth birthday, and learn about their plans for the future
- Held an advice surgery at my office in Crewe. To make an appointment for a future surgery, call my office on 01270 501 725.
- Accepted an invitation from Ruskin Community High School's GCSE Citizenship Group, to discuss ways of improving community safety, and reducing anti-social behaviour in our area.
- Met with members of campaign group "Hands off Wistaston", who are concerned about proposed development in our Green Gaps.
...and tomorrow, I will be formally opening the Haslington Village Fun Day, which promises again to be an excellent event. From 11am, on Haslington Village Green, there will be a brass band, dog show, refreshments, and thirty stalls raising money for local charities and causes.
Westminster Report
Read my most recent Crewe & Nantwich Talk
Click here or on the image.
Photo News
The GCSE Citizenship Group at Ruskin Community High School, Crewe. I was invited to meet with the group to discuss community safety issues.
You can see all of my photos by visiting my website.
Community News
Haslington Village Fun Day
Haslington’s Annual Village Fun Day
On the Village Green - Saturday 18th May 2013
Featuring:
- Brass band concert
- Dog show
- 30 stalls raising vital funding for local charities and causes
- Refreshments
The event will be formally opened by Crewe and Nantwich MP, Edward Timpson, at 11am. For further details please ring 01270 585 721. (Dog Show: Entry forms available on the day must be handed in by 12:30pm)
Do you have community news to share? Are you involved in any projects that could be of help or interest to local people in Crewe and Nantwich? Email me and your news could be here too!
Nantwich Museum launches new comics and appeals for volunteers
Nantwich Museum is appealing for volunteers to help keep the popular venue running.
They are in need of people to help with fundraising, organising events, and preparing and distributing posters.
“Volunteers play an essential part in the running of the museum working in teams to bring a wide range of skills to support the permanent staff,” said a spokesman.
If you would like to explore the possibility of joining the museum’s team of volunteers, contact Kate Dobson, the community development manager. Email enquiries@nantwichmuseum.org.uk, call 01270 627104, visit www.nantwichmuseum.org.uk
Meanwhile, the Pillory Street venue has just launched the first of a series of comics which tell the story of various aspects of the town’s history. The illustrated four-page leaflet recounts The Great Fire of 1583 and is available in the museum shop, costing 50p.
The comics will also recount stories such as how inhabitants of the town would dress the brine spring and spend the day celebrating the gift of brine two years after The Great Fire. It also highlights how in acknowledgement of the generosity of Queen Elizabeth I in helping to rebuild the town, May 1st became known as “Queen’s Day”.
Kate Dobson added: “They have been drawn by local artist Les Pickford and will help enormously taking the story of the town to young people.”
Leighton Hospital seeks views on patient care
SENIOR bosses at Leighton Hospital are seeking public views on improving patient care in the wake of the Francis Report.
The report by Robert Francis QC investigated a catalogue of failings at Stafford Hospital and found that a neglect of patient safety had resulted in hundreds of needless deaths.
It called for change in the culture of the NHS as a whole.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust is now keen to hear from local people about how the report’s suggestions can be implemented at its own hospitals.
Julie Smith, director of nursing and quality, said: “As part of our patient-led response to the recommendations in the Francis Report, we are encouraging patients, carers, relatives and members of the public to meet with us to discuss the key themes from the report.
“As well as finding out from people what they think we do well and would like to see more of, we are also keen to find out where we need to improve further in relation to the key areas of the Francis Report, particularly regarding care and compassion.”
‘Engagement sessions’ will be held in Crewe on the following dates:
Wednesday, May 22, from 9.45am-12.30pm at the Carling Suite, Crewe Alexandra Football Club, Gresty Road.
Wednesday, May 22, from 1.45pm-4.30pm at the Carling Suite, Crewe Alexandra Football Club, Gresty Road.
There will also be the opportunity for people to sign up as hospital volunteers or foundation trust members.
Advanced registration is requested. To book contact Sue Pickup on 01270 273961 or 01270 273796 or email patient.experience@mcht.nhs.uk
5 ways to contact Edward Timpson
- By email: timpsone@parliament.uk
- On the web: edwardtimpsonmp.com
- By phone: 01270 501 725
- By post: 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE
- In person: Click here to see surgery times
No comments:
Post a Comment