There is a call today for an open and vigorous debate on the role of the private sector in running prisons. It comes with the publication of a report – ‘Private Punishment: Who Profits?’ from the Prison Reform Trust.The report, which includes contributions from the Bishop of Worcester, Peter Selby, who is also Bishop to HM Prisons, and from TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, acknowledges that private sector innovation has, in some cases, improved prison regimes but it raises questions about efficiency savings and the need for private companies to achieve economies of scale.

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The national charity Citizens Advice wants to see the introduction of a system that would deliver cash to not-for-profit organisations for helping meet key Government targets. The proposed Voluntary Sector Public Service Agreement is based on Local Public Service Agreements that are already widely used in local government.The new system, outlined in the latest edition of charities’ magazine ‘Third Sector’ would supplement, but not replace, grant funding.

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This programme is now available to view on egovtv.tv, the online television channel for public service modernisation. It is also available on video CD. The programme looks at the preparedness of public bodies for Freedom of Information, focussing on the procedures and systems required to serve information requests. The effects of FoI are also evaluated and advice and support is offered from those Government bodies heading Freedom of Information.A panel discusses how the Freedom of Information Act will be used and how it will affect public bodies, their public reputation and internal operations. The panel considers the range of requests that might be received and how they can be managed from publication schemes to evaluating exemptions. What further support and guidance might be provided by the Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Information Commissioner and what further procedures and systems can be applied to reduce the overhead of FoI management.

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