Agenda item

Report of Hazel Willoughby, Head of Offender Services, Durham, Tees Valley Community Rehabilitation Company.

The Chairman asked the Head of Offender Services to speak in respect of the report concerning the County Durham and Darlington Reducing Re-offending Strategy 2015/18 (for copy see file of minutes).

The Head of Offender Services explained that the main points to note were the priority actions that sat under the strategic objectives, forming the basis of the delivery plan: preventing intergenerational offending; and preventing repeat offending.  It was reiterated that the figures in respect of reducing re-offending had shown little variation, though there was a lag of around 18-24 months in terms of the data.  It was explained that there was a need to understand the impact of welfare reform and austerity and there would be a series of meeting in preparation for what a strategy may look like post-2018. 

The excellent work of the CDYOS was reiterated, the award received highlighting the benefit of the work undertaken in engaging with clients.  Members were reminded of the success of the Checkpoint programme, the value of early intervention and that the random control trial was hoped to be started shortly in order to provide evidence of the effectiveness of the scheme.  It was explained that in terms of IOM, it was important to have a set of principles in place when agencies work together in dealing with the most prolific offenders.  Members noted that there would need to be a look at the cycles of behaviour and how best to deal with those who were not ready for help.  It was added that the role of the Police in would be in disrupting these cycles and that in the context of reducing funds then targeting those offenders who wanted to change their behaviour would help to maximise the impact of what funds were available.  The desistance model was reiterated and that the question had been posed “what would a reducing re-offending strategy would look like if it was underpinned by desistance theory?”.

The Head of Offender Services concluded by noting that County Durham was not an unsafe place to live or work and that there were a number of changes that would come into effect over the next 12 months.

The Chairman thanked the Head of Offender Services and noted that there was a core of offenders that would not engage with approaches such as restorative justice (RJ).  The Head of Offender Services agreed that RJ needed motivation and the process needed to be meaningful for both the offender and the victim.

Councillor G Holland noted that the report made bleak reading, and noted no sense of a positive outlook nationally or locally.  Councillor G Holland felt that the strategy was wrong and that there was a need to identify hard core and career criminals and to have these people held to account, sent to prison and have their assets stripped accordingly.  Councillor G Holland added that there was a need to also identify those individuals that were simply “victims of circumstance” and to be sensitive to the issues that may affect those people, including mental health issues, and look towards a more palliative approach that helped those people reintegrate into society.

Councillor N Martin noted that performance data showing the reduction in first time entrants to youth justice system and noted that often within peer groups there were 1 or 2 people leading the behaviours and therefore the work undertaken to divert young people from the youth justice system was important.  The Head of Offender Services agreed and reiterated the successes of early intervention and noted that there was also a need to follow up with those that have entered the criminal justice system.  Members noted that the “Through the Gate” programme was to help those leaving prison, as in the past there had been no follow up once offenders had completed their sentence.  It was explained that a plan would be put in place prior to an offender being released, with meetings to look at issues to be address upon release such as access to housing, benefits information and also to include offers of mental health support as appropriate.  An example  of support given was that of an offender who was an alcoholic, who had been released and rather than being left to negotiate the journey to the train station alone, the route requiring passing several public houses, the individual was taken to the train station and British Transport Police assisted in helping the individual complete their journey without incident.

Councillor G Holland noted that he felt that those types of individuals, drug and alcohol dependants, should not be in prison in the first place, rather be in another facility receiving palliative care.  The Head of Offender Services agreed that there were a number of people that needed support, however, the Probation and Prison Services were not the organisations that decided upon sentences, and the decision would be made in line with the type of offence committed.

Councillor T Nearney noted in his experience in training as a barrister, it was key to have stability in the life of an offender to prevent re-offending and that being able to secure employment was an important part in providing this stability.  Councillor T Nearney asked as regards what work was ongoing with private companies in terms of helping those individuals.  The Head of Offender Services noted that the question was how do you make links to employers to create opportunities in the job market for ex-offenders, possible opportunities via the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and that there was a need to also provide stability for those individuals in their family life, looking at the Think Family approach.

Councillor J Armstrong noted the excellent work of the CDYOS and Durham Constabulary in terms of the reductions in the number of first time entrants to the youth justice system and noted that delays to the YEI funding meant there was only half the time available to deliver the programme.

Councillor M Hodgson noted comments as regards the strategy and asked whether it was relevant and from a Members’ perspective it was what difference the strategy made in our communities that mattered.

Chief Superintendent G Hall noted that the Police did proactively target those offenders that did not engage, looking to disrupt to help prevent re-offending.  Chief Superintendent G Hall added that the review of the Youth Justice System by Charlie Taylor could prove useful information for Members in looking at the shape of things to come. 

Resolved:

That the report be noted.