Thursday, October 21, 2010

Veteran Home in Plymouth

In partnership with the Royal British Legion, Alabare' Christian Care and Support have opened a half way house for Veterans in Plymouth. With Life Change UK and the Langley House Trust, over the next 2 years it is planned that the concept be further developed to provide rehabilitation centres for Veteran offenders as an alternative to custody and probation.

This all fits well with the PM's emphasis on the Military Covenant and the Ministry of Justice drive to reduce the prison population and engage with Third Sector organisations.

An introduction to Alabare's current work with veterans can be seen here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AUKHW40zYk

Friday, October 15, 2010

Research with the Prison Governors’ Association

Research by Imperial College London and the Howard League for Penal Reform provides an insight into how Prison Governors view the impact of prison. A copy of the report can be seen at - http://www.howardleague.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/pdf/Research/The_reality_of_short_term_prison_sentences_-_press.pdf and on the right side of this blog under Comment and Opinion

Critically, PGA members’ views about the ability of the prison service to address the key re-offending pathway of Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour is damning. Yet, unless we facilitate a positive change in the thoughts and feelings of offenders, their behaviour will remain the same; this surely applies to us all.

As I have highlighted repeatedly in previous blog entries, staff training is the key to this process. Without a major change in understanding, ethos and provision to meet this pathway, re-offending rates will remain stubbornly high.