Working With Offenders
Who Works With Offenders
The Prison Service
Imprisonment is the most severe penalty available to the courts. The role of the Prison Service is made clear by its statement of purpose:
‘Her Majesty’s Prison Service serves the public by keeping in custody those committed by the courts. Our duty is to look after them with humanity and help them lead law-abiding and useful lives in custody and after release.’
The Prison Service is an Executive Agency of the Home Office, and contributes to the Statement of Purpose set out for the Department by the Home Secretary:
To build a safe, just, and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families, and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained.
There are 135 prisons in England and Wales. These include high security prisons for the most dangerous prisoners, local prisons for men and women, closed and open training prisons for men and women. Closed and open young offender institutions (for sentenced prisoners under the age of 21) and remand centres.
Prisons reduce crime in three ways:
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by deterring potential offenders;
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by incapacitating repeat offenders by removing them from society; and
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by providing constructive regimes which encourage prisoners to address their offending behaviour, and provide them with the skills and competencies which will help them to avoid re-offending.
Many factors contribute to offending and re-offending. Apart from criminal history, those factors most closely associated with re-offending are homelessness, unemployment, substance abuse and poor literacy levels.
Employment
To increase the employability of younger prisoners and improve their chances of in the labour market on release, the Prison Service, since 1998, has been running a Welfare to Work Programme or 18-24 year olds in prisons throughout the country. The scheme is closely linked with the Government’s New Deal Programme.
Drug Misuse
Drug misuse and crime are strongly connected. Around 50,000/60,000 drug users are arrested and prosecuted every year, and it is essential that the right balance be struck between treatment and punishment for drug misusing offenders.
Every prison now provides a basic drug intervention service through CARAT schemes: (counselling, assessment, referral, advice and throughcare).
Two defining features of CARAT services is their function as a bridge from drug services in prison to those in the community, and their provision for post-release support to promote successful transfer.
Recognition of the need for multi-displinary drug treatment services throughout the prison system is based on several factors. No one agency can be responsible for anti-drugs work in prisons: problems may surface in different settings. The CARAT service will act as a gateway/link to other services within prisons and the community and gives a commitment to continue support beyond release from prison for up to 8 weeks.
Improving Literacy and Numeracy Levels
There is a clear link between basic skills difficulties and crime. Research shows that offenders are less likely to re-offend if employed and that access to employment opportunities is widened if appropriate levels of basic skills are attained.
In prisons at least 60% of the population have basic skills at level 1 or below. This is the level an average 11 year old would be expected to reach and effectively closing 96% of jobs to those individuals.
It is crucial to improve the basic life-skills of offenders within the context of employment. Vocational training is currently being reviewed and a new policy will emphasise the importance of work opportunities to gain nationally recognised qualifications for work and basic skills. Current projects and initiatives are exploring flexible ways of providing basic skills.
More information
Visit the Prison Service website at: http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk
Last update: 16/09/03