As many readers will know, over the last 5 years, here in Devon we have been developing
a project (The Veterans Change Partnership).
Based upon a proven residential programme of personal development and
change, it is specifically intended to help rehabilitate and support veteran
offenders and their families - http://www.lifechangeinitiative.com/militaryveteranoffenders.html#axzz2ndB4fYc9
.
The partnership of over 30 public, private and voluntary
sector organisations included support from Local Authorities, the NHS, Police,
Probation and JCP. Despite this, our
application to the Armed Forces Covenant LIBOR fund to establish the programme
was recently turned down; the project was clearly not considered sufficiently
worthy.
The panel responsible included representatives from some of
the leading military charities. Sadly,
the outdated and punitive belief that punishment promotes positive change
and behaviour remains extant. I fear that until those
in positions of authority are able to understand that such an approach merely re-enforces
the negative thoughts and feelings of
the offender and fails to address the underlying needs, little will change.
It is to be very much hoped that the Sgt Blackman case will
serve as a catalyst in helping to promote increased awareness and much needed
positive change.
