Harry Fletcher
We were deeply sorry to learn that Harry Fletcher died on 8th January. He was a long standing champion of Probation and will be missed by many. We send our condolences to your family Harry and a few thoughts.
The Directors of the Probation Institute are greatly saddened to learn of the death of Harry Fletcher on 8th January. Harry had been in regular contact with us about TR and Probation Reforms – most recently just before Christmas.
Many of us have worked with Harry over many years and would like to pay tribute to his immense energy and commitment to a fairer justice system, working at several different levels. For us above all Harry was Assistant General Secretary of Napo from 1984 to 2013. This long period of work for Napo saw massive changes in Probation, advances in practice and values, support for victims, increasing workloads and pressures, restructuring, all of which Harry promoted and defended. Organising large rallies at Westminster Hall, Parliamentary Questions and lobbying, particularly in the successful campaign to influence the incoming Labour Government in 1997. Harry was strongly opposed to Transforming Rehabilitation. He was pleased to see the integration plans in 2019 but understood the real reservations and in an advisory role was seeking to influence the Secretary of State over continuing issues with the new model.
Harry was always available and interested in what you had to say – he was diligent in turning over stones, finding out the detail, and in speaking out openly and clearly about his findings. You could always spot when Harry was behind an investigation. It’s hard to think of anyone who can quickly replicate his knowledge of justice combined with investigation and reporting skills – but it’s very important that principled journalists try hard to follow in his footsteps.
We would like to pass our deepest sympathies to Kate, William and George in your loss and extend our very warm appreciation of a colleague and friend.
Helen Schofield
Probation Institute January 2020.