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Jersey Probation and After Care Service (JPACS) Report to States of Jersey Scrutiny Panel.
Review of progress made following publication of the Imperial College Report into the use of illegal drugs and alcohol in Jersey.
JPACS statistics show no increase in percentages of offenders where alcohol or illegal drugs have been a contributory factor. Alcohol continues to be the larger problem.
JPACS continues to offer a range of evidence based services for offenders, many delivered in partnership with the Alcohol and Drug Service. JPACS is unique amongst Probation Services in the British Isles in being able to provide outcome measures for interventions. It can also demonstrate that Probation Supervision is particularly effective with offenders at the highest risk of re -offending. These include those with substance misuse problems.
UK accredited programmes for working with Substance misusers have been examined but have yet to deliver better results than the existing JPACS programmes.
Some relevant statistics are attached. The KPI documents are prepared for the substance misuse strategy, now part of the "Building a Safer Society" strategy approved by the States earlier this year. Other statistics are extracts from the JPACS Annual Report and the "Risk, Needs and Rehabilitation" study produced in partnership with University of Wales at Swansea.
Sentence planning has been introduced into sections of HMP La Moye with the assistance of JPACS. However, the resources to develop this have not been approved in the FSR process. Without proper sentence planning a consistent effective service to those prisoners with substance misuse problems cannot be ensured.
After – Care of adult prisoners continues to be on a voluntary basis. Funding to implement post custodial supervision has been refused on three occasions in the last three years in the FSR process. This has obvious complications for those prisoners with substance misuse problems.
The introduction of the Temporary Release Monitoring Scheme "tagging" has allowed the JPACS to assist selected lower risk prisoners in the Community.
The length of custodial sentences imposed for importation or trafficking of illegal drugs has caused a continual increase in the prison population. This would be alleviated by a system for earlier release. A revision to the draft law to reflect this is being considered in July by the Home Affairs Committee.
The Courts make good use of non custodial measures for less serious offences. The Parish Hall Enquiry system, has saved many offenders from gaining an unnecessary criminal record. The Judiciary has been supportive of practice which diverts minor offenders out of the Court system, and also in revising Probation Officers "rules of engagement" with offenders under their supervision.
Attempts to provide a needle exchange facility on JPACS premises has been frustrated due to delays in changing the law to make such schemes lawful.
Brian Heath
Chief Probation Officer
11th June 2004