Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Promoting ‘Change’ in Offending Behaviour

It is very easy to be sceptical about any form of new initiative, especially if we have heard similar rhetoric before. ‘Change’ is a challenging process, not only for those trapped in the cycle of crime and depravation, but also for society and those responsible for implementing such change. All that said, the fact remains, if we keep doing the same things we must expect to get the same outcomes.

As the fourth richest country in the world, our current re-offending rates are shameful, costing billions of pounds and wasted lives. The situation is also generating increasing fear and undermining the very fabric of our society. We simply have to do things differently and start to recognise that punishment and retribution alone do not work. The solution is not difficult to realise and implement. Our behaviours are a reflection of our circumstances, upbringing, education and beliefs. Unless these change, behaviour patterns will remain the same.

Simply increasing the profile of community punishment working parties or custodial sentences will not address these innate needs. Prison and public humiliation are simply not conducive to such a process. Indeed, they perpetuate a feeling of failure, incompetence and worthlessness. Rather, there is now an urgent need to invest in programmes that enable positive personal development, learning and behavioural change. Real investment in meeting offender's needs will ultimately deliver massive financial and positive social returns. It is a process that requires focussed and joined up partnership, where responsibilities, risks and rewards are shared throughout society. For this to happen we have to view the situation differently and make a 'step change' outside our normal comfort zones, recognising that punishment more generally fails to meet the requirement.

If we all step back and ask what have been the most important drivers in our own lives, I suggest that whilst punishment and reprimand may have provided a temporary break, 'success and reward' have been the real accelerators.

Trevor Philpott

1 comment:

Trevor Philpott OBE said...

Thank you Marry. Your kind comments are appreciated.
Regards,
Trevor