'Locked Up Potential', - The Centre for Social Justice publishes it report on Prison Reform

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) today launched its report for Prison Reform. Recognising that the current provision is failing badly, the report widens the debate with proposals for radical change within the Justice System, including the provision of local Community Prison and Rehabilitation Trusts (CPRTs). Modelled on NHS Trusts, the new CPRTs will be given responsibility for the provision of local prisons, the delivery of joined up programmes of rehabilitation and the overall reduction of re-offending within their areas.

For anyone interested in seeing real change and improvements in the reduction of re-offending and the saving of millions of pounds and many thousands of wasted lives, the full report is highly recommended. It can be accessed via the CSJ website at http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/ or via the link at the Comment and Opinion section on the right side of this page.

The Royal British Legion and Alabare Christain Care - Reducing re-offending by ex- Service Offenders and Homeless Men

The Royal British Legion in Devon has entered into an exciting partnership with Alabare Christian Care to open a small residential half-way house for ex-offenders and homeless men who previously served in Her Majesty's Armed Forces.

Based in Plymouth and supported by other national and local charitable agencies, the home provides a safe and supportive environment for those former service personnel who have, for various reasons, become homeless and caught up in the criminal justice system. With sufficient accommodation for up to 7 residents, the home is setting a standard in enabling individuals to re-establish and forge new lives.

With support from key workers, residents are given the opportunity to work through their various issues, including examples of PTSD, depression, alcohol addiction, family breakup and a lack of personal self-worth. During my visit there today, residents described how, because of their service backgrounds, experiences and understanding, they are able to provide each other with meaningful peer support, yet still take responsibility for their own actions.

Importantly, the very positive outcomes being achieved will not only save mens lives, but also save the country hundreds of thousands of pounds that would otherwise inevitably be spent by the criminal justice system, Department of Health, DWP, Job Centre Plus and Local Authorities. When acknowledging such long-term costs and the increasing price that service men, women and their families are paying whilst serving their country in places such as Afghanistan, the establishment of many more similar homes has surely got to be the way ahead.

Hopefully, such initiatives will in future see increasing contributions of public sector funding, this being in the true spirit of the Government's calls for community based partnerships and innovative alternatives to custody.

In the meantime, more information can be found at the Alabare web site - http://www.alabare.co.uk/Monabri.php and press release - http://www.alabare.co.uk/RBLPlymouth12Jan09release.php

or by contacting: -

The Royal British Legion
Devon County Office
Aldens Business Court
7a Chudleigh Road
Alphington
EXETER
Devon EX2 8TS
Tel: 01392 273111

Brain Cells: Listening to prisoner learners - A New Report

41% of prisoners who fail to complete educational courses say it is due to being moved to another prison. That's just one of the findings in Brain Cells. This new report, published on 5th March 2009, is the result of a survey of prisoners about their experiences of learning in prison. Brain Cells is a collaboration between Prisoners Education Trust, Inside Time, the newspaper for prisoners, and consultants, RBE.

The report can be read at the Prisoners' Education Trust under our Articles and Reports on the left of this page.

A journey of 'Change' for our Young Offenders and our Justice System

This week young people of the UK were described as the most unhappy in the western world. Against that background, the Finish justice system (with only 3 of its children curently locked up) and Denmark's innovative deployment of highly trained Pedegogs were featured as leading the way in work with marginalised young people and young offenders. Similarly, those who have read this blog before will have noted the short article I wrote on 5 Dec 08 covering a recent trip to Slovenia and the inspiring work being delivered with many of its young offenders. If you have not read it yet, please do; just scroll down this page.

Whilst acknowledging that many of our Youth Offending Teams are attempting to deliver innovative work, with all the evidence from other countries I am again left asking why it is that as a country we appear unwilling to acknowledge that, for the most part, we have got it wrong. Do we really think that our children and young people are so different to those in other countries that punishment and ciminalising them is the only way to promote personal change? When will we find the courage to bit the bullet and start to increase our investment in our marginalised and excluded young people, empowering them to become future net contributors to our society rather than future long-term debtors?

Mentor Training in Addressing Challenging Behaviour

An Exciting New Concept in Staff Development & Support

Work with offenders, those described as NEETs, long-term unemployed adults and other marginalised and de-motivated individuals is a major focus of government policy. As a result, the need to manage challenging behaviour is increasingly recognised as an essential part of the teacher / trainer / supervisor skill set; however, the topic is rarely adequately addressed and newly qualified staff (Prison, Probation, YOT staff, Teachers and Trainers) often enter the workplace ill prepared. Many subsequently leave the profession or move to other learning environments where such behaviour and stress is less apparent. The associated costs are enormous.

In association with SWitch and Learning South West, in February and March 2009, Life Change UK will deliver 2 x 2-day pilot Mentor courses which will explore the causes of challenging behaviour and identify a range of strategies and interventions that encourage positive change.

The training, which is funded by SWitch, will enable participants to subsequently mentor peers and less experienced members of staff in the motivation of offenders / students and the management of challenging behaviour.

The training will promote peer mentoring and enhanced staff supervision within the work place by: -

· Identifying the components of ‘Core Beliefs’ and their impact on behaviour.

· Improving understanding on a range of behaviours and how to respond to them.

· Enhancing communication skills and learning how to build rapport to promote positive behaviour.

· Increasing understanding of the ways in which interactions with learners require different professional boundaries.

· Providing an opportunity to explore strategies and interventions that reduce stress, inform practice and increase confidence when working within a challenging environment.

Two months after each course, participants will be invited to attend a one-day follow-up group workshop where experiences of good practice will be shared. Over the period of the project, advice on urgent issues and mentoring support will be available to participants by telephone from Life Change UK staff.

The high demand for places on the courses further demonstrates the need for such training. An evaluation report of the training will be produced in July. Hopefully, having demonstrated the benefits, further funding will be made available for additional courses.

Education, relationships and increasing trust reduce re-offending in Slovenia

Slovenia, one of the smallest EU member states, is promoting increased relationships and trust as critical components of strategies to reduce of re-offending. With strong leadership and an ethos that promotes a belief that offenders can change, innovative programmes are being delivered both in custody and the community.

A small new community prison in Koper currently has 130 prisoners and 68 staff. Built next to a major shopping area at cost of Eur 8.1 m, both remand and convicted prisoners live in an environment that clearly supports positive change. Following motivation and assessment work, with the support of local employers and Social Service agencies, 47 prisoners experience semi-open conditions, undertaking work in the community on a daily basis. After demonstrating a desire to stop offending and to change their thinking, others are also given the opportunity to join their peers and to participate in similar schemes.

Being local, visiting and support of families is made easy. With weekly group meetings between prisoners and specially trained staff, and monthly meetings with the senior management team (including the Director), all serve to enhance communication, understanding and relationships. Knowing all the prisoners within his care, the Director of the prison sees these meetings as a critical feature of life in his prison. Of particular note, prison officer training lasts for 6 months and all staff recognise their important role in helping prisoners to change. Recidivism is currently assessed as approximately 40%.

Another institution at Redece works with adolescents and young men and women offenders, aged 14 - 23 years. Although referrals are made by the courts, it is not seen as a prison. Rather it is described as a 'Home for the re-education of offenders'. Whilst the institution includes a secure building, the environment is not one of cells and incarceration. Rather it provides a managed and constructive community learning environment with a focus upon academic, life, health, social, communication and vocational skills.

With a capacity of 68, the young people are organised in small groups, each led by parent educators. Living in accommodation areas, each with 2-4 bedrooms, a living room, kitchenette and bathroom, the young people are supported and coached to look after themselves and each other.

As within Koper prison, there is a firm belief that given the right environment, support and individual education opportunities, young people can and do change. The low re-offending rates clearly support this view.

Of note, the institution is very similar to the C-FAR model that the Directors of Life Change UK established in Devon. Unfortunately, owing to a lack of funding from the UK's Justice System, C-FAR was forced to close in 2005.

At the other end of the spectrum is Visnja Gora, a co-educational residential school working with boys and girls aged 14 - 23 years who have been excluded from school and become involved in various levels of criminal activity and substance missus. Referrals to the school are made by the courts and social services with the provision being paid for by the Ministry of Education.



It is truly a unique and innovative concept providing young people with what is described as a positive and permissive learning environment during which mistakes are seen as a means of promoting continuous learning. All staff are again highly qualified and trained. Of particular note, following the positive outcomes achieved, many local families now send their children to the school, promoting increased community understanding and social inclusion.

Whilst the latter two establishments are more expensive than more recognised offender institutions, the positive outcomes undoubtedly achieve long-term savings when set against re-offending and the associated ongoing costs. All three models are truly refreshing and set a standard in interventions that other countries would do well to study urgently and replicate.

Supporting our Ex Servicemen and Women

I agree with John Moore and Trevor Philpott. However a long term strategy should be to create a mechanism, that assists retiring servicemen and women, offering them comprehensive skills training before they leave the service. Also a full audit should be carried out on their financial status and provide short term assistance where required. In the meantime the many thousands of ex-service personnel who are currently in prison or homeless need to be looked after now. They could be looked after by retired service personnel who can retrain, build up morale whilst speaking the same language. They basically need a "buddy". There should be halfway houses to accomodate them from the streets or from prison. They would feel more comfortable being looked after by people who they can identify with and understand their problems with a practical "eye".
Their are many excellent retired service personnel who could form a HELPCORP to look after their welfare. This would free up prisons and get these people off the streets. What an indictment for the government to see war heroes reduced to poverty.

Tony Smith MBE

Remembering ex-service personnel who are now homeless or trapped in the Criminal Justice System

As we remember those service men and women who have given their lives during past conflicts, I am left asking what we are planning to do about those who now find themselves homeless or in prison.

As a result of recent operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, many ex-service personnel and their families are today experiencing shattered lives, enduring massive mental trauma, physical disability and family breakdown.

Approximately 10,000 ex-service men are believed to be in prison. Many hundreds are sleeping rough on the streets of our cities. These statistics can only be viewed as a truly sad indictment of this country's recognition of the sacrifices they have all made.

Whilst applauding the good work of the Royal British Legion, other service charities and Regimental associations, having voluntarily given their lives as they did, surely it is time for us all to recognise the sacrifice these men and women have also made. With a meaningful partnership between government, service charities and society, the majority could be given back the pride they once felt and assisted back to full and product lives.

Escaping the Perpetual Incarceration Machine - Sep 2007 Lessons from Hargrave House by J.M. Moore

By John Moore: -

"Ex-prisoner re-entry into the community has always been problematic both for the individual ex-prisoner and society. Re-entry is characterised by a multitude of practical problems, including access to community resources, marginalisation and social exclusion. Despite substantial government resources being invested in the ‘reducing re-offending initiative', the majority of ex-prisoners continue to end up back in contact with the criminal justice system. Their sentence may have ended but they have not escaped prison.

My own experience of over 20 years of working with ex-prisoners in a housing context has demonstrated that ex-prisoners with long histories of homelessness and involvement with the criminal justice system can, with relatively minimal assistance, successfully re-establish their lives in the community, avoiding contact with law enforcement agencies, allowing them to escape future imprisonment.

This dissertation explores the process of re-entry of prisoners back into the community, utilising the history of Hargrave House (where I worked from 1984 to 1990) and other community projects. It identifies how these enable ex-prisoners to successfully re-enter the community. It critically examines contemporary policies which claim to assist the process of prisoner re-entry and demonstrates that the ‘lessons from Hargrave' are largely ignored as punitive objectives dominate penal policy, resulting in the further social exclusion of ex-prisoners and for many a return to the ‘perpetual incarceration machine."

A copy of John's disertation can be seen at 'Comment and Opinion' in this blog.

'Prison-to-work' scheme could save £300m

The Policy Exchange think tank has rightly said that, to reduce re-offending, efforts should be made to prioritise getting prisoners back into work.

The impact that employment has in providing a greater sense of self-worth, self-esteem and security, as well as a reason for getting out of bed in the morning, is well recognised. These fundamentals are no different for offenders. Indeed, it is the lack of employment and its personal benefits that has often led to the offending in the first place.

If only it were that simple. The journey from prison to work is enormous and for many offenders actually quite frightening. Most have never been there and are consequently well outside their comfort zone. The resulting attitudes and behaviour often lead to failure. Similarly, most employers have little or no experience of working with offenders and dealing with what most perceive as inappropriate behaviour. Yet they are expected to take on ex-offenders as though they were any average member of society seeking work.

The same problems apply to those responsible for supporting, teaching and training ex-offenders. Very little training is given to address and manage challenging behaviour; rather it is left to experience. Regrettably, that experience is often the result of considerable stress and additional work, penalties that most trainers and employers are not willing to take on.

If ex-offenders are to gain access to new skills and remain in work, it is essential that those who teach, train and employ them are given the understanding and skills to facilitate the journey. Until this is recognised and put in place, many teachers, trainers and employers will be reluctant to take on the task and we will continue to waste large sums of money as offenders remain within the criminal justice system.

The Life Change UK training programme facilitates this important requirement and stems from considerable experience in delivering successful residential courses for young adult persistent male offenders at a community based charity in Devon called C-FAR. Unfortunately, owing to a lack of criminal justice funding, in April 2005 the charity was placed into voluntary liquidation. One is now left wondering what might have happened had the Centre been operational today?

Building on Sand - Why Expanding The Prison Estate Is Not The Way To 'Secure The Future' - Professor Carol Hedderman Professor of Criminology

The debate associated with building the new Titan prisons has seen extensive coverage over recent times, including a letter signed by 35 Members of the Criminal Justice Alliance, all of whom have condemned the proposal. Many of the issues are highlighted on the Prisoners Education Trust web site and its most recent copy of 'Learning Matters' - see the link under 'Organisations' on the right hand side of this of this blog.

As part of this debate, Professor Carol Hedderman has written a thought provoking paper explaining why the Titan option should be cancelled. In her conclusions she says -

"Any calls to limit the prison population are likely to be portrayed by the popular press negatively as being soft on crime but that is not a good enough reason to conceal the damaging financial and public safety consequences of our increasing use of custody.

The consequence of pandering to ‘penal populism’ in the short term by building more prison places is that the financial costs of the building programme will be much greater than the forecast because it will feed rather than meet demand. The longer-term cost of leaving penal populists to frame the debate entirely in terms of punishment versus leniency will be felt in terms of reduced public safety. Recent history suggests that if the prison population rises, re-conviction rates on release will also rise. Developing a recognised measure – or ‘QALY’ – of public safety could help to inform and reframe the public debate so that the impact and value of different interventions can be compared in a common currency.

Finally, while it may be possible to meet the public’s demand for punishment and for sentences which are effective in reducing reconviction, more frequently, at the level of the individual offender, this results in sentences which send out such mixed messages that neither is achieved effectively. There is good evidence to suggest that the public has a more sophisticated take on this than either government policies or media reports give it credit for. It is important to capitalise on that if the use of imprisonment is to be used in a way which genuinely ‘secures the future’".

We can only hope that Ministers will soon acknowledge the overwhelming evidence against the Titan concept as well as the sophisticated take of the general public.

Sir Steve Redgrave - Demonstrating how rowing and good leadership can promote positive change

If ever we needed more evidence as to how to promote change in thinking and attitudes of marginalised groups and offenders, then last week's ITV 4 programme showing Steve Redgrave's work with young men from Liverpool in learning to row was an inspiration. With his highly skilled coaches they took the young men on a unique and important journey of change.

As expected, many of the participants were disappointed at not being selected for the final boat crews. Notwithstanding, they will have undoubtedly benefited enormously from the experience. With more time and a continuing programme, these too would have achieved more with the disappointments being turned into personal triumphs.

Rather than simply relying on prison and penal retribution, if we are serious about reducing social exclusion and re-offending, increasing such opportunities for personal development and success are surely the way forward. Investing in this type of programme will enable more young people to experience the positive outcomes of confidence, self-worth, self-esteem, personal discipline and a desire for change, all of which will serve to help provide the essential skills to gain employment and to break the depressing cycle of failure, social deprivation, gang cultures, offending and financial waste.

One can only imagine what could be achieved if, instead of spending £2-3bn on Titan prisons, some of that money were to be invested by increasing access to this and other similar programmes.

The Economic Case for and against Prison.

In 2007 the Matrix Knowledge Group was commissioned by the Monument Trust, the LankellyChase Foundation and the Bromley Trust to carry out research into the economic case for and against prison. The aim of this research was to collect the evidence needed to outline the economic argument for and against prison sentences and their alternatives. The research focuses on how effective a prison sentence is in reducing re-offending, compared with non-prison approaches and asks are prison sentences a cost-beneficial way of reducing offending in those populations who are at risk of further offending?

A copy of this report can be accessed at the top left of this blog or at http://www.lifechangeuk.com/political_background.htm .

Cost of Police Cells

Further to my last blog below and the money allocated for the Titan prisons, it is also worth noting the total overall invoice from Police stations for the use of police cells in 2007 - 08 is estimated to be £53million. Once again, had a proportion of this money been made available to Probation and voluntary sector organisations, one can only speculate as to the number of offenders who might have successfully undertaken alternative community based sentences and programmes.

Shift Titan Prison Money to Community Alternatives

Over the last few months there has been increasing recognition that, with the exception of securing our most dangerous offenders, prison does not work in reducing the re-offending rates of non-dangerous offenders. Rather prison is described as the university of crime and the emphasis is now on increasing community based alternative sentences.

Yet plans for the two to three billion pound Titan construction costs remain. The challenge of course is that the first of these prisons will not be ready before 2012, that is assuming, along side the work for the 2012 Olympics, the builders and staff can be found to construct and subsequently man it.

Critically, as our prison numbers have continued to rise, capacity and cell space has simply run out. Pressures for the shift to Community alternatives is therefore increasing by the day. Unfortunately, capacity here is also limited. Probation staffs are over stretched and voluntary organisations strapped for money.

The crisis is worsening by the day. Clearly, there is a need for urgent action and 2012 is simply too far away. If we agree that community based sentences are the way forward and that prison is not effective, should we not divert the Titan money into community alternatives. By changing the focus of Probation from an 'enforcement agency' to supporting offenders away from crime, as well as increasing the money available to associated voluntary organisations, a major and rapid shift in provision could surely be implemented, negating the need for Titans and helping to reduce the current prison population.

Unfortunately, I suspect that someone in the Treasury will say that such a proposal is not possible because the Titan money is 'ring-fenced' and cannot be used for other purposes. I wonder if this is the case or whether common sense might yet prevail?

House of Lords Debate 26 June 2008 - Prison Royal Commission

Lord Ramsbotham has once again taken the lead in addressing and promoting the debate over the state of our prison system. Highlighting the damaging politicisation of the penal system and the continuous weaknesses in the management and leadership within the prison service, he has proposed that a Royal Commission be established to consider and advise the Government and the Prison Service on future structural changes and the operational running of the Service.

Strongly supported by many other eminent members of the House of Lords, let us hope that this marks the start of a meaningful process of continuing debate and positive change. The full debate can be read at - http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2008-06-26a.1610.2

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.