Staffing of Titan Prisons

It appears that the building of new Titan prisons is to proceed. Whilst we will clearly be able to imprison more offenders, the evidence shows that this type of large establishment is unlikely to help in reducing re-offending. As the official projections show, the prison population will continue to rise, resulting in more victims of crime and further waste of public money that should be spent in other ways - the elderly, education, health, pensions, transport infrastructure etc. Why do we keep banging our heads against the wall? Is the pain not enough? If we keep doing the same things we will keep getting the same outcomes!

A critical factor that does not appear to be mentioned in the debate is that of recruiting and training suitable numbers of staff to man these establishments. Prison Service staff are already stretched with officers leaving or suffering from stress related illness. Where will the additional staff be found and how will they be trained to meet the requirement? Of note, the UK's current Prison Officer training is only 8 weeks long.

Community Sentencing - Addressing the underlying causes of crime

Recent Ministerial announcements confirming that, for the majority of offences, community sentences are more appropriate and effective than prison, is undoubtedly welcomed and to be applauded. That said, one is left asking whether such punishments are also addressing the underlying causes of crime.

When acknowledging the consequential high work load of Probation Officers, who is actually supervising those placed on such community sentences? What overall life skills are they passing to offenders and what support(particularly access to accommodation, training and regular employment) is being given to offenders to ensure they do not re-offend?

Leadership for Change in Youth Justice

A recent internal government report says that Labour's 10-year strategy for tackling youth crime has failed. The briefing document confirms that around 25% of under-18s have committed an offence, while re-offending rates are 'very high and have not significantly changed' since 1997.

The briefing goes on to describe how 5% to 6% of young offenders commit between 50% and 60% of all juvenile crime. It suggests that the worst offenders have a 96% re-offending rate, with each costing taxpayers £80,000 a year. Interestingly, in the 2002 Social Exclusion Unit report addressing re-offending by ex prisoners, it was estimated the cost of a 19 year old persistent male offender was approximately £163,000 per annum. This suggest that different figures have been used in the latest report, with many costs being ignored.

Despite the courts handing down some 34,000 community and 7,000 custodial sentences a year, re-offending rates are amongst the highest in the world. Of note, 70% of male offenders under the age of 18 who receive a community sentence commit further crimes, compared with 76% of those who are given a custodial sentence.

The subject of youth crime is undoubtedly topical and causing much public debate. Importantly, with the prison population being so high, Ministers are now recognising that simply being tough on crime is not working. Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, has suggested that increased 'support' to offenders is essential. The briefing states that there is a need to 'address the underlying needs of young offenders to improve their outcomes' and 'produce an ongoing package of care that will provide support after their supervision period ends'.

What is particularly heartening is the changing reaction by the public. In last week's BBC Question Time, when it was suggested that prison does not work, the audience applauded enthusiastically. At last, the reality that crime is primarily caused by a mix of poverty, dysfunction, poor education and family breakdown, and that this cannot be addressed simply by the use of punishment, is permeating through the political corridors and the wider society. Possibly, we are now seeing the start of a process for real change in the Justice system.

Critically, if we keep doing the same things we will undoubtedly keep seeing the same outcomes! One wonders who will provide the necessary 'leadership' for change to arise.

Addressing the Fundamentals

The latest report by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS) at King's College London has once again highlighted the failings of the Justice system to reduce youth crime and re-offending, suggesting that "Targets have been missed with self-reported youth offending remaining stable. All the expenditure and activity to reduce youth crime has had no measurable impact." It added: "Claims of significant success are overstated."

Critically, there remains a fundamental failing to provide appropriate training and resources to those working with offenders and other marginalised groups. Until this is addressed, little will change. Tackling the multiple needs of those caught up in the youth justice system is extremely demanding and complex, requiring a depth of personal understanding, co-ordination, patience and interpersonal skills. Many staff simply do not have the training necessary to meet these needs.

The Government has announced that yet another Youth Crime Action Plan is to be implemented this summer. If meaningful change is to arise from such a plan, there must be greater understanding and investment in appropriate staff training to facilitate positive change. Sadly, in times of financial constraints, staff training is often one of the first programmes to be cancelled. As a result, we end up continuing to do what we have always done, wasting more money and young lives. I wonder if we will ever learn to do things differently.

Wave Trust Report 2005 - Violence and what to do about it

In 2005 the WAVE Trust published its comprehensive research on the causes of violence in society. Sir Christopher Ball, Chairman of the WAVE Trust, describes the report as a deeply depressing and sad portrayal of the root causes for much of the increase in violence, anti-social behaviour and offending levels that we see today. He describes it as a social evil, in 2005 costing the state some £20 billion a year. The report clearly shows the links between early childhood abuse and violence, all of which can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It also shows that by meaningful investment in programmes and parental training that address the causes, the financial savings and social benefits to society and the state are potentially enormous.

Yet, despite the evidence, we have failed to make such investment and continue to waste vast sums of money and lives.

For those who are interested in reducing violence, crime and ever increasing social deprivation, I recommend it as compulsory reading.

The report can be found and read by clicking on the blog link under - Comment & Opinion.

Staff Training Evaluation Report - 'Working with Challenging Behaviour' including Offenders

The Life Change UK training programme has recently been evaluated by the Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network. Comments by those who undertook the training clearly demonstrates the importance of such provision. Giving staff greater understanding and the skills to work more effectively with marginalised groups, including offenders, helps to reduce re-offending, staff stress and anxiety.

The full report can found and read by clicking on the blog link under - Comment & Opinion.

Public Protection or Public Delusion? by Mitch Egan

Mitch Egan is the Regional Offender Manager for the North East. In her 2007 Perrie Lecture she discusses the use of prisons as opposed to community based alternatives. Her views make an important contribution to the debate surrounding the reduction of re-offending.

Her lecture can be found and read by clicking on the blog link under - Comment & Opinion.

Tories manifesto promise on jails

Apr 4 2008 by Tomos Livingstone, Western Mail

THE Tories are preparing a manifesto pledge to cut Britain’s booming prison population by offering prisons bonuses to cut re-offending rates.

While ministers expect the current prison population of 82,068 in Wales and England – itself above capacity – to rise to 100,000 by 2020, the Conservatives say they can reduce it to 76,000 by the same date.

Nick Herbert, the Conservatives’ prisons spokesman, said prisons would become independent “Prison and Rehabilitation Trusts”, with funding dependent on success in cutting re-offending rates.

Mr Herbert said overcrowding in prisons would be “formally ended” by 2016, with the number of prisoners down 1,000 by 2015 and down 6,000 by 2020.

The greater focus on reducing reoffending would lead to the reduction in prison numbers, he said, saying the scheme would pay for itself. About £257m a year could be saved by cutting re-offending rates, he suggested.

Government figures suggest half of all crime is committed by ex-offenders.

A Tory administration would also:

Introduce minimum and maximum sentences;

Give prison governors the power to decide when short-to-medium term prisoners are released;

Ditch the Government’s plans for three new “titan” prisons, building a series of smaller jails instead; and

End the early release scheme.

Mr Herbert told the Western Mail, “Every prison will be made a prison trust with a mission to reduce reoffending. They will be put on a tariff scheme; if they succeed in reducing reoffending there will be more money.

“It is a form of payment by results ... funded by money saved by not having to try and imprison that person.”

He said the target to reduce prison numbers was “modest” and rejected the idea it would be difficult to achieve.

“This is a totally different approach to the Government, who have created a crisis of confidence in the criminal justice system,” he said.

The Welsh prison population stands at 2,762, a substantial rise from the 2000 figure of 1,923.

Mr Herbert said huge new Titan prisons, as proposed by Justice Secretary Jack Straw, were not the answer. “They would be the largest prisons in Europe; local prisons would be a better model.

“There is strong evidence that family links are an important component in reducing reoffending ... Titan prisons would by definition be further away from prisoners’ families.

“I am aware of the problem of there not being a prison in North Wales; it would be consistent with our policy that there should be.

“There should be local prisons.”

Latest figures reveal 1,050 prisoners have been released early from Welsh prisons since the Government introduced its early release scheme last summer.

The End of Custody Licence was introduced last year in the latest attempt to stem overcrowding.

The scheme, one of the first announced under Gordon Brown’s premiership, allows criminals to be let out of prison up to 18 days early.

Mr Herbert also attacked moves to keep prisoners in their cells for longer periods over the weekend to save money. The so-called “core day” changes come into force this weekend in the wake of a freeze in the prison service budget.

Visits by volunteer groups to prisoners will be cut as a result, according to a Prison Service memo, which also notes, “The core day is not just about making savings, it is also about standardising proceedings ... enabling consistency and predictability of provision across the prison estate. There is no money to fund these changes.”

The memo also recommends “careful local communication” with prisoners about the changes.

Mr Herbert said, “We have a situation where the Government is claiming to be focusing on rehabilitation when what they are doing is locking people away for longer periods of time.”

End.

Let us hope the rhetoric will become reality

Teachers 'worn out' by bad behaviour

On Tue 25 March 2008 Jessica Shepherd wrote in the Education Guardian and described how teachers are becoming worn out by bad behaviour! In her article she wrote: -

Speaking at the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers' annual conference in Birmingham, general secretary Chris Keates said pupils were no longer frightened to abuse their teachers publicly on the street.

Keates said she had recently heard from teachers who had been followed home, harassed by email, and verbally abused in the street, and about pupils who camped outside teachers' homes shouting abuse.

"We have always had a steady stream of pupils who abuse teachers, but now pupils feel confident enough to do this in public," she said. "This shows the youth culture out on today's street."

Teachers told the conference how they were being worn out by bad behaviour.

Tim Cox, a member of the union's executive, said: "It's the 'tap tap' on the desk, the swinging back and forth of chairs, the wearing of hoodies, sunglasses, the mobile phones that wears us down.

"We all know the negative impact this can have on pupils, but we don't always know how best to deal with it. Things can escalate all too easily into major offences."

He said the only training in pupil misbehaviour that some new teachers received was from unions, not their schools.

"It's a sad fact that training is not provided by schools," he said. Unions, he said, were left to fill the gap.

Suzanne Nantcurvis, also on the union's national executive, said the problem of the high number of teachers leaving the profession would be solved if more attention was given to training teachers in how to deal with naughty pupils.

She said there was 'clear evidence' to suggest training courses on pupil misbehaviour worked, but that the emphasis placed on this in schools was poor.

"Given that school improvement is top of the agenda, I find it bizarre that this is the case," she said. "All teachers need the training to manage the increasingly challenging behaviour we see."

Sue Rogers, on the national executive, said: "This is the key to raising standards. Any attempt by the government to raise standards is going to come crashing down if you don't have good behaviour."

She described how she could 'smell the mood' of a classroom as she walked in. And how she had taught herself to deal with poor behaviour by "conning herself".

"I've thought I'll not let them see I have a cold because it's a sign of weakness. But I got to the point with one class that I so disliked going in, I told myself that I really enjoyed teaching them and eventually I conned myself that they were my favourite class. Things improved for me and for them. We know teaching is something of a con job."

Keates said schools were in part to blame for not using the powers to discipline their pupils that they had been given.

Schools now have the power to temporarily exclude pupils and discipline them off the school grounds.

Teachers voted to lobby government to improve the quality of training for new teachers across the UK and increase the number of training courses on pupil behaviour. Article Ends.

Sadly, this type of situation is not only seen in our schools. It is very much a reflection of behaviour and standards in our wider society including that demonstrated by a growing number of adults, the very people who should be the role models for our young people.

The outcomes can be seen on our streets with anti-social behaviour, much of which can result in similar outcomes in our prisons and young offender institutions. Regrettably, in order to address such behaviour society still tends to focus upon the use of punishment, failing to recognise that there is always an underlying cause and it is the cause that needs to be addressed - "Tough on Crime" "Tough on the causes of Crime". Until we understand this and provide our teachers and others with the skills and understanding to deal with such issues, little will change. The call for increased quality training for teachers is something that must also be delivered in many other sectors and the wider society. It is to be hoped that this call will be heard and implemented without simply resorting to yet more punishment as the sole means of meeting the requirement.

Excluding violent young people does not help to reduce offending and anti-social behaviour

In Monday's Times another striking article described the level of anti-social and challenging behaviour taking place in our schools and cities, with the consequential stress and fears experienced by nearly a third of our teachers. Most teachers apparently said that pupil behaviour had worsened. Critically, there is increasing evidence to show that many of these young people go on to commit higher levels of anti-social behaviour, substance misuse and serious crime.

Regrettably, little recognition is given to the fact that within many groups of society the way the adult population chooses to engage with children and young people is often the root cause of the problem. Rather than recognising that social deprivation and family dysfunction is often at the centre of such behaviour, punishment and retribution are still promoted as the means of addressing it. Until adults and the wider society recognises its own fundamental failings and weaknesses, the situation will undoubtedly worsen. To reduce offending and re-offending we must provide young people with the standards, role models, respect, support and encouragment to change and behave differently. The feelings, thoughts and behaviour expressed and demonstrated by many young people is a direct reflection of what they see and believe as being normal and acceptable. If we expect our young people to change, we must surely be willing to change ourselves.

Reducing Re-offending Survey - Alternatives to Prison

Whilst acknowledging that the survey on this blog was not scientifically designed, it was available for anybody to participate in. Importantly, the results clearly show little enthusiasm for the building of more prisons. To be applauded is the recognition for the need to improve the training of staff working with offenders as well as an overall increase in mentor support to and for offender learning.

Of note - only 8% of those who participated recommended building more prisons.

Changing the Conditioning of our Thoughts - UK's Prison Population rises to 82,000 - Addressing the 'Tough' soft skills to promote meaningful Change

The Government is constantly stressing the need to engage and employ marginalised and historically dysenfranchised groups of society, with a focus upon the provision and delivery of vocational skills training and education. Amongst these are society's persistent offenders; those who are repeatedly given short-term prison sentences and largely as a consequence, re-offend soon after release. Recognising the retrograde impact that this is having on the prison estate and efforts towards rehabilitation, Mr Jack Straw has asked that Magistrates use community programmes as an alternative to custody.

Unfortunately, the majority of these offenders often lack the essential personal motivation and sense of self-efficacy to undertake such programmes. Critically, very few programmes exist that are capable of meeting these requirements. As a consequence, little changes and Magistrates are left feeling that they have no option but to use yet more custodial sentences.

Despite the well intentioned rhetoric, the reality is that patterns of long-term unemployment and anti-social and criminal behaviour can only be interrupted by tackling the underlying causes for such behaviour. That is, until ‘people' are treated as unique individuals and there is understanding that such behaviour is triggered by emotional, human and criminogenic needs not being met, little will change.

Punishment and threats fail to meet these fundamental needs. Rather, they serve to demoralise, de-motivate and depress, thus increasing and re-affirming self-doubt, fear and confusion and perpetuating an existing situation. Without change, social exclusion, re-offending rates and demands for prison places will clearly increase. Issues associated with drug misuse, mental health, social and academic exclusion and the fear of young people will continue to drive ever-increasing wedges into the very fabric of our communities. Above all, many individuals and their future children will become and remain debtors to society and we will continue to waste vast sums of money and human resources that should be utilised in other ways.

The cost in human lives, more victims of crime and financial loss to the exchequer is enormous. Typically, one 19 year old persistent offender cost the country over £173,000 per year, year on year. It is surely time for a radical shift in the conditioning of our thinking about such issues. Will we ever see such change or will we keep doing the same things and seeing the same outcomes?

Constructive comments on this and all contributions on this blog are welcomed from those with a genuine interest in reducing re-offending; just click the 'comments' link below. I trust readers will understand when I say that I reserve the right to moderate before final publishing; thank you.

Exeter RSA Coffee House Challenge - 7 May 2008

Between 5 pm and 8 pm on Wednesday 7 May 2008 Exeter based Fellows of the RSA will run a 'Coffee House Challenge' debate aimed at increasing public awareness and responsibility for the reduction of re-offending. Guests from statutory, private and voluntary sector organisations will be invited to speak for 10 minutes, outlining what they consider is currently not happening, but needs to happen, to reduce re-offending.

Following the presentations, contributions and discussion will be welcomed from others present, including RSA Fellows and members of public. The outcomes and recommendations from the discussions will be forwarded to the RSA in London for onward delivery to Government Ministers.

In order to increase public interest and participation, representatives from local and regional media will also be invited. The location of the event is not yet confirmed, but will be promulgated widely as soon as it known. Please watch this blog for further information.

Prisoners' Education Trust - Offender Learning Matters

Yesterday I was privileged to attend the launch of the Prisoners' Education Trust latest project 'Offender Learning Matters'. In the River Room of the House of Lords, there was a very positive buzz in the air as all those present discussed the need to promote learning and education for offenders and prisoners - see - http://www.prisonerseducation.org.uk/index.php?id=home .

Education and learning is undoubtedly at the heart of any rehabilitation programme. Equally, it is essential that we view the process in the widest possible sense. It is not simply about basic skills in reading in writing. Rather it is about changing the personal perceptions, thinking and beliefs of offenders, increasing their confidence, motivation, sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Once this is achieved, the rest is relatively easy.

Critically, such provision requires intensive work and specialist skills. Without these foundations, little will change. With the Government's increasing recognition and commitment to community based alternatives to custody, we can only hope that associated agencies will pick up the PET's baton for change and help to drive the process forward by ensuring that their staffs are given the necessary training and skills to do so.

Prison Officer Training - Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour

In a recent discussion with a Prison Officer I was disheartened to hear that the training for officers is, for the most part, still seriously lacking in the foundations needed to ensure meaningful and appropriate communication in the delivery of support and advice to prisoners. Similarly, most junior grade governors apparently lack the necessary leadership training to promote and deliver change. Rather, the focus is still very much that of security and the management of bureaucratic processes.

NOMS has consistently promoted the concept for 'end to end offender management'. As part of that process, one of the Probation Service 7 Pathways to reducing re-offending is that of 'attitudes, thinking and behaviour'. Whilst undoubtedly admirable in its intention, clearly this process depends upon consistent delivery throughout an individual's sentence.

With the significant autonomy and differences in regime ethos retained by individual governors, plus the constant churn of prisoners from one establishment to another, the opportunity for appropriate support and advice to prisoners is diminished. One is left asking why it is that Prison Officers remain frustrated by the lack of training in the execution of their work to reduce re-offending, and why the system appears unwilling to address its own attitudes, thinking and behaviour as part of the journey for change.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE - REDUCING RE-OFFENDING THROUGH THE TOUGH EXPERIENCE OF POSITIVE PERSONAL GROWTH - (Developing people from the inside – out)

Whilst 'Basic Skills' are undoubtedly important, acquiring them is not what makes the difference in reducing re-offending. Rather, learning to master the tough ‘soft’ skills is what reduces re-offending. It is a massive journey of attitudinal change, both for offenders and often those working with them.

When you have never experienced it before, this type of reflective, emotional and experiential learning is extremely tough and well outside the average offender's comfort zone. It is not simply a transfer of skills, rather a journey that encompasses personal growth, the leaning of new values, self-belief, self-esteem, self-efficacy, emotional maturity, confidence, respect and integrity. Encouraging offenders to value themselves, helping them to feel empowered, recognising their strengths and talents, motivating them and encouraging them to fulfill their goals and achieve their own unique potential, this is what makes the difference - Develop the person first - the rest will follow. To support someone on such a journey requires a wide range of skills.

Of note, the majority of offenders that we have worked with described how professionals with such responsibility generally failed to show them any respect or understanding. Many went on to suggest that most professionals were unwilling to listen to their point of view and had other agendas that tended to have little to do with the offender's thoughts or needs. These agendas were often associated with ‘control’ and ‘management targets’. Critically, there was a lack of understanding in respect of the ‘tough’ soft skills alluded to earlier. Until these issues are addressed, any meaningful relationship between offender and professional will be limited.

Against this background, I have been attempting to identify the type and level of training being given to those responsible for effective work with offenders and other marginalised groups. It is with some disquiet that I have had little success. Most appears to be focused upon legal issues, management procedures and rules. Whilst there are numerous articles and reports describing the content of 'what works' programmes, little emphasis would appear to be placed upon the interpersonal skills, relationships and attitudes needed to deliver such programmes effectively or to provide ongoing support.

I would very much like to hear from anybody working with offenders, long-term unemployed and other marginalised groups regarding their professional training and continuing personal development (CPD), particularly regarding what, if anything, they feel is missing.

Life Change UK's innovative training earns high praise from participants

With the Government's continued emphasis upon promoting learning and access to work by marginalised groups of our society, the development of associated staff training has become increasingly relevant and important. Recent delivery of training by Life Change UK to staff working with and supporting difficult learners, long-term unemployed people and ex-offenders has earned high praise from those who have undertaken the training. Feedback can be seen at http://www.lifechangeuk.com/books.htm .

Of note are the comments relating to improved understanding, communication skills, boundaries and staff team work, all of which are essential if education, learning, access to work and an improvement in the reduction in re-offending rates are to be achieved. In reality, targets can only be met if staff have the confidence and knowledge to deal with the 'tough' soft skills that such work demands. Until these are understood and staff are given the training and associated support to work more effectively, limited progress will be made.

With pilot funding from the LSC and support by Devon and Cornwall Training Providers Network and Enterprise Plymouth, the unique training is clearly delivering important skills that many organisations believe their staff will benefit from.

Courses in 2008 can be see at www.lifechangeuk.com

Life Change UK delivers its innovative 'Train the Trainer' programme

With higher re-offending rates and an increasing prison population, there is growing recognition that punishment, by itself, does not work. Equally, despite efforts to to do so, the delivery of education, learning and support to offenders and other de-motivated people is not as effective as it needs to be. One of the major weaknesses is the lack of training and understanding by those required to work with such groups.

Borne out of considerable experience in working with young adult persistent male offenders and young people with special educational and motivational needs, the Life Change UK programme ‘Managing Attitudinal Change and Challenging Behaviour’ is designed specifically to assist others working with challenging behaviour to do so more effectively. Having delivered the programme to individuals from various organisations, Life Change UK has already earned praise for the benefits and skills that it provided.

Importantly, the programme provides increased understanding of the soft skills and key issues involved. Through the provision of various practical communication tools the training improves levels of interpersonal communication, increases self-confidence, reduces stress and enhances outcomes. The training is ideal for teachers, prison and probation officers, youth justice and social workers, parents and foster parents and those working in the private and voluntary sectors where challenging behaviour and motivation is an issue. The complete programme consists of nine units delivered over 5 days; however, bespoke shorter packages can be tailored to meet the specific needs of recipients.

Validated by the University of Plymouth for possible use within its new teaching courses, the LSC has recently provided early funding for the delivery of a pilot course for staff from different training organisations in Devon and Cornwall, all of whom work with offenders, ex-offenders and long-term unemployed people. Requests for other training has also been received.

By the end of January 2008 a basic Induction and Foundation course will be available on-line for those working within the associated sectors. It is planned that this will subsequently be developed to levels 2 - 4 for use within the revised teaching qualifications.

Anyone interested in this training is encouraged to look at the Life Change UK web site - www.lifechangeuk.com and to contact us.

"In the News" by Karen Franklin, Ph.D.: New book on offender rehabilitation

Hi Karen,

I was interested to see your promotion of the new book by Shadd Maruna and Tony Ward dealing with the rehabilitation of offenders. It is indeed the human and social needs that must be targetted and addressed. Punishement by itself merely re-affirms past failings. You might like to look at our web site www.lifechangeuk.com and our linked blog. There you will see our experience for such work here in the UK. Good luck with your efforts.

Kind regards,

Trevor Philpott

REFLECTIONS - 5 YEARS AFTER MY TIME IN PRISON

Hi,

I have just returned from a 4 day trip to the Isle of Skye in Scotland with my girlfriend. We arrived about 11pm and although it was drizzling and cloudy I could not believe how light it still was. We pitched our tent and quickly fell asleep. When we awoke in the morning the view from our tent was one of the most beautiful I have ever been lucky enough to experience. The loch that stretched out to the sea was glistening like a mirror in the morning sunshine with the sound of seagulls calling. The wild, rocky mountains shot up towards the sky, their jagged summits just hidden from view by the few remaining clouds that scattered the otherwise blue sky, slowly being carried away by the stiff sea breeze. Skye is truly a magical place and I felt privileged to be their.

That view from our tent in Skye was a far cry from my life 5 years ago. I was due to
be released from prison after serving a sentence for numerous burglaries committed to fund a serious drug addiction. I had no home to return to, my family ties had all but broken down. I had very few personal possessions and even less of an idea about where my chaotic lifestyle would be heading next.

Fortunately, during my time in prison a friend had told me of a charity called C-FAR. He said that after a tough residential training course they helped ex-offenders to find accommodation and a job so you could start a new life. This sounded like it would be worth a try so I applied for the course and was accepted. However, I found a lot more than a job and accommodation during my time at the Centre.

The staff were friendly and trusting, always went the extra mile to help and never wrote anyone off. I still have the rock climbing magazines that a member of staff brought in and gave to me and from time to time I still pore over the same inspiring photos. It was these images that triggered my passion for climbing and reminded me of the power of wild, mountainous environments that I had experienced as a child during school trips.

During the course we undertook all sorts of lessons including basic skills and group sessions dealing with our offending, anger management and drug addictions. I also remember we spent 3 long, sunny days clearing and tidying a local village park that had become overgrown. It was hard work but we all had a great time, working together and enjoying the banter. It was nice to be able to give something back to a community; the end result was fantastic and it felt extremely satisfying.

Towards the end of the course a member of staff asked me “if I could do anything when I left C-FAR what would it be”. So I told them and received all the help and support that I needed to make it happen. I went to Bicton College in Devon to study outdoor education, something I thought would never happen. Fortunately, I ended up getting good enough marks to move on to a degree course in the Lake District run through the University of Lancaster.

Looking back to that time I recall that on leaving C-FAR and prior to my starting at college, things did not go completely smoothly. As I now know, life rarely does. However the things I had learnt during the programme, the support I received afterwards and the determination of people not to give up on me saw me though those bad times. As a result I learned more about myself, others and the world in general and have been able to apply that to my life today. For that I will always be grateful.

I currently work as an assistant manager in an outdoor activities clothing and equipment shop. I spend most of my free time rock climbing and running on the fells, enjoying the beautiful environment I now live in. I have travelled to many other places in the UK and Europe and intend to visit many others. This plays a large part in how I now choose to live my life and I enjoy every minute of it.

One thing I am certain of, things would not be the same if it had not been for C-FAR, and I know that there are many others that would say the same. C-FAR gave me a chance to break the vicious circle that my life, and others like me, became embroiled in. It gave me the chance to recognise my strengths and increase my confidence and sense of personal belief. Without this, I suspect that I would now be back in prison or worse still, possibly dead. As I experienced the breathtaking view outside our tent on Skye, I reflected how fortunate I was.

If the government is really serious about its efforts to reduce re-offending and substance misuse, then programmes such as that delivered by C-FAR should be supported across the country. Unfortunately, because of a lack of funding, in April 2005 C-FAR was placed into voluntary liquidation. Had the prison population been over 80,000 in 2005 I suspect that there would have been different outcome.

The Prime Minister has said that he intends to employ people “who can contribute their energies in a new spirit of public service”. Again, if he is serious about this, I hope that he will contact Trevor Philpott and his colleagues who ran C-FAR and are still working hard to help reduce re-offending. They have the spirit and the knowledge.

Good luck to all ex-offenders. Life can be good if you want it enough.

Chris Stirling