July 2, 2005: NOMS Chief Exec's Sudden Resignation

In a surprise move, Martin Narey, chief executive of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), is resigning to join children's charity Barnardo's.

In November 2004, Mr Narey had emphasised that he would remain in post at NOMS, though there had been some media speculation about the continuing problems at the body which has merged the prison and probation services. Criticism has focused on the lack of consultation on the merger, and some have argued that it a vehicle for privatisation (“contestability”).

Mr Narey, who was strongly identified with - and a key architect of - the merger, was appointed NOMS chief exec in January 2004, prior to the commencement of NOMS five months later.

Mr Narey joined HM Prison Service in 1982, where he worked as an assistant Governor, first in a young offenders' institution and then in a top security prison. In 1989 he moved Prison Service Headquarters and in 1990 to the central Home Office. He returned to the Prison Service in 1997, and was appointed Director General in December 1998.

In February 2003, he ceased to be Prison Service Director General and as a Permanent Secretary he was appointed as the first Commissioner for Correctional Services in England and Wales, with responsibility for Prison and Probation Services, oversight of the Youth Justice Board, and policy responsibility within the Home Office for correctional, rehabilitation and sentencing issues.

On January 6, 2004 the Home Secretary announced that Mr Narey would become the first Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service, integrating prisons and probation into a single Service.

Prison Reform Trust Director Juliet Lyon commented that Mr Narey's departure would leave a vacuum:

“... but it also presents the new Ministerial team at the Home office with an important opportunity to review the development of the National Offender Management Service and bring it into line with Government policy on social inclusion and the commitment to reserve prison for serious and violent offenders. With prison numbers hitting an all time record... it’s time for Government to take a grip and require departments other than the Home Office to respond to the health and social care needs of the drug addicts, homeless, jobless and mentally ill people who otherwise end up in our overcrowded jails.”

Following the announcement of Martin Narey’s resignation, Home Secretary Charles Clarke said:

"During my time at the Home Office I have been impressed by Martin's vision, drive and leadership qualities which have led to significant improvements in the way we manage offenders. He has made real progress in taking forward the recommendations in Patrick Carter's report on correctional services reform through the creation of the National Offender Management Service and he has set down solid foundations for the Government to build on in our work to reduce reoffending."

Home Office Permanent Secretary Sir John Gieve said:

"Under his leadership the Prison Service transformed its performance on health, education and drug treatment while achieving an excellent record on security. He was an inspiring champion of diversity, decency, and respect throughout the service; a mission he has continued recently as the champion of diversity on the Civil Service Management Board. As the first Chief Executive of NOMS he has brought the prison and probation services together and built the foundations of a single system which manages offenders from court to resettlement and focuses on reducing reoffending."