Responding to Drug Use - Jersey Probation and After Care Service - Transcript - 23 July 2004

MR. BRIAN HEATH, CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER

1. Evidence based service for offenders

1. The Probation Service (PS) - through its connexion with research work being carried out by the University of Wales - can identify where it is most effective and least effective in its work. This is unique in the United Kingdom.
2. PS can demonstrate that it is particularly effective in its work with offenders at the highest risk of re-offending. Further work remains to be done to refine the information. For example, PS cannot say at the moment that it can reduce offending by substance misusers by a particular percentage - it is getting there.
3. Over the last ten years the PS has reorganised its practice in line with evidence of best practice throughout the world. (papers provided in written submission show some of the validated performance measures used by PS)
4. In working with a group setting, PS adopts a cognitive behaviour skills based approach, targeted at specific offending behaviour such as substance misuse.
5. Substance misusers have been maintained on the SMART course at Highlands where other places have screened them out. In Jersey this has proved very successful.
6. On a one -to-one basis, a pro-social modelling - problem solving - approach is used. This has been evaluated as 50% more effective in dealing with individuals than other approaches. All PS staff are trained in this method.

2. Sentence planning

1. Brian Heath (BH) has been interested since his appointment as Chief Officer in developing ways in which the prison and probation service can work together.
2. There has historically been no sentence planning - in part because there was nopost- custodial supervision - so what were you planning for?
3. Jersey is the only British jurisdiction without post-custodial supervision.
4. Until recently released prisoners have simply walked away without preparation for release. There is no statutory obligation for PS - or any statutory right - to follow through with prisoners. Prisoners are invited to contact PS but, not surprisingly, this is not high on the list of priorities for most - only single figures take up this opportunity each year.
5. Sentence planning is about behaviour change - looking at how a person ended up in prison and about how to change things. It's about engaging with prisoners to maximise the chance of successful re-integration into society upon release; to ensure that time spent in prison is as constructive as possible.
6. The early weeks and months are crucial in terms of the possibility of re-offending. Accommodation, employment and relationships are key factors.

7. Elsewhere, PSis always involved in sentence planning. PS has prior knowledge of prisoners, expertise in risk management and appropriate programme delivery. Ideally sentence planning should begin on reception to the prison.
8. Sentence planning is an essential part of the tagging and temporary release schemes. They provide a phased re-introduction to full liberty. They require sound risk assessment.
9. A pilot scheme for sentence planning was recently set up at the Prison and was hugely successful.
10. Sentence Planning has started now for the Young Offenders wing where there is post-custodial supervision in place. It is also due to be introduced soon for the female and enhanced wings.
11. Sentence planning process also includes working with family and dependents. It will also include recording whatever makes someone vulnerable maybe to self-harm or overdose, as in the case of substance misuse.
12. There is now additional resource at the prison, through both ADS and PS, for work on pre-release preparation.
13. Resources, however, for Sentence planning are hugely stretched.
14. A bid for funding for around £100,000 was submitted to FSR but was unsuccessful.

3. Half-way house

1. A difficult and expensive area - need to be sure what you want.
2. There is a range of types of accommodation available - the Island is relatively well provided in terms of hostel accommodation (Shelter) and more specialised facilities (Silkworth and Margaret House)
3. Often it is suggested that a half-way house would be appropriate for those who don't want to go into a hostel.
4. The lack of non-residential accommodation is a particular difficulty. There is a political decision to be made regarding the appropriateness of providing a facility for non - qualified offenders when no such facility is provided for non-offenders.
5. There is scope, as suggested by HMIP, for a house outside the prison walls providing supervised accommodation for those coming to the end of their sentence.
6. The feasibility of a Probation hostel has been examined but proved too expensive - it would double the cost of the current service.

4. Deferred sentence option

1. Probation orders are already used extensively in Jersey. They can be used to direct an addict to treatment, including residential rehabilitation facility, asan alternative to a custodial sentence.
2. Probation in Jersey is a form of conditional release following conviction.

5. Needle Exchange

1. PS wanted to play a part in response to Imperial College recommendations, although it is unlikely that there would be much take up, due to the nature of the work undertaken by PS.
2. However, the law in Jersey is currently a grey area regarding needle exchange so it couldn't be initiated.