Offenders get say on rehabilitation
CRIME: A project aimed at preventing re- offending in West Yorkshire has involved speaking to prisoners, young offenders, and people on probation.
West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns- Williamson asked charity User Voice to understand what more can be done to reduce crime and anti- social behaviour.
A PROJECT aimed at preventing re- offending in West Yorkshire has involved speaking to prisoners, young offenders, and people on probation.
West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns- Williamson asked charity User Voice to speak to people in the criminal justice system to try to understand what more can be done to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.
User Voice is led and run by people with experience of the justice system. Workers have been speaking to adults and those in youth offending teams to understand their views and experiences.
Through these conversations, the charity has arrived at a set of key recommendations to help reduce re- offending and make sure the criminal justice system works better for communities.
Although the project started before the pandemic, the charity says the issues arising are more pressing than ever.
It sets out to understand why people commit crime, what support services are in place to address this, how effective they are and what could be done differently.
Addiction, mental health, housing and education were found to be crucial areas requiring further work and support.
The findings of the report have been shared with partners across the criminal justice sector in the hope of finding joint solutions to the issues raised and improve services overall.
Work has already begun on a number of projects such as developing a training package for those in prison, working with supported housing providers to accommodate more complex needs, as well as further support for mental health and addiction.
According to Government figures, in July, adults released from custodial sentences of less than 12 months re- offend at a rate of 62.7 per cent. In the UK, adults reoffend at a rate of 28 per cent. Juveniles re- offend at a rate of 39.2 per cent.
Mr Burns- Williamson said: “Tackling crime and anti- social behaviour is a core outcome in my Police and Crime Plan for West Yorkshire.”
“Robust law enforcement will always rightfully have its place in taking action where necessary, but if we can reduce re- offending, and even beyond that, stop crime and anti- social behaviour from happening in the first place then everyone benefits.
“I am pleased with the findings of the report which has identified some key areas of work to take forward.
“I am already sharing these results and will continue to champion the changes needed going forward.”
Mark Johnson MBE, founder of User Voice, said: “It is not always easy empowering some of the most marginalised groups in society. User Voice has demonstrated that giving people in prison and on probation a voice using its lived experience approach can have significant results.
“This is the first time it has been used by a Police and Crime Commissioner.
“If people who are at the sharp end of the system, prisoners and people on probation, are not equipped to lead successful lives then we will never reduce reoffending.
“How people are treated has a direct impact on how they behave. Consultations such as this create an environment based on responsibility, tolerance, decency, courtesy and humanity.”
Giving people in prison a voice can have significant results. Mark Johnson, founder of the User Voice charity.