Bench Guide to Community Sentences – June 2013
London Probation Trust
Bench Guide to Community
Sentences
June 2013
London Probation Trust
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Bench Guide to Community Sentences – June 2013
Introduction
Welcome to the London Probation Trust Bench Guide to Community Sentences.
This is the fifth edition of the Bench Guide, which has received positive feedback
since its first publication in 2007.
The guide has been compiled for use by all sentencers and legal advisers, and
details the sentencing options available through London Probation Trust. It does
not, however, cover provision for the under 18s.
This guide does not purport to be an authoritative guide to the law but represents
the views of London Probation Trust and the National Offender Management
Service. It does not seek to be a substitute for the definitive guidelines of the
Sentencing Council.
I hope you will find the Bench Guide a useful resource. We welcome any
feedback you may have – please contact us via any of the methods detailed at
the end of the guide.
Heather Munro
Chief Executive
London Probation Trust
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Bench Guide to Community Sentences – June 2013
Contents
Pre Sentence Report ................................................................................................ 4
The Community Order and its Requirements............................................................ 8
Suspended Sentence Order ................................................................................... 11
Activity Requirement (also known as Specified Activity Requirement – SAR) ........ 13
Alcohol Treatment Requirement ............................................................................. 14
Attendance Centre Requirement............................................................................. 16
Curfew Requirement ............................................................................................... 21
Drug Rehabilitation Requirement ............................................................................ 23
Exclusion Requirement ........................................................................................... 25
Mental Health Treatment Requirement ................................................................... 26
Programme Requirement........................................................................................ 28
Prohibited Activity Requirement .............................................................................. 30
Foreign Travel Prohibition Requirement ................................................................. 31
Residence Requirement ......................................................................................... 32
Supervision Requirement........................................................................................ 34
Unpaid Work Requirement...................................................................................... 36
Breach of a Community Order ................................................................................ 38
Court Bail Information Scheme ............................................................................... 39
Women Offenders................................................................................................... 44
Victims .................................................................................................................... 50
Appendix A: Offender Assessment System (OASys).............................................. 51
Appendix B: Specified Activities Available from London Probation Trust................ 52
Appendix C: Programmes Available from London Probation Trust ......................... 72
Appendix D: Acronyms ........................................................................................... 94
Appendix E: Communication with London Probation Trust ..................................... 96
Visits to London Probation Trust ............................................................................. 98
Contact Details........................................................................................................ 99
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Pre Sentence Report
Purpose
To provide information to the sentencing court about the offender and the offence
committed, and to assist the court to decide on a suitable community-based or
custodial sentence.
A Pre Sentence Report will only be prepared once the offender has been
convicted, whether after trial or following a guilty plea. It is important to note that
even if the sentence imposed will not be carried out by probation we are still able
to provide the report e.g. Curfew Requirement.
Contents of a Pre-Sentence Report
The Pre Sentence Report includes:
•
Analysis of the offence
•
The offender’s attitude to the offence and the victim
•
The offender’s offending history and pattern of offences
•
Relevant factors relating to his or her offending behaviour such as drug or
alcohol use
•
Previous compliance with supervision
•
Risk of reoffending
•
Risk of serious harm to the public
•
Sentencing proposal which is most likely to deter the person from
reoffending, punish for the crime committed and protect the public.
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This information will be collated from a range of sources including Crown
Prosecution Service documents with detailed antecedents, previous probation
reports and information from other agencies.
Types of Report1
The Probation Service prepares three types of Pre Sentence Reports:
1. A written report taking 15 days that is based on a full assessment. A
written report produced on the day or within five days.
2. Oral reports prepared on the day and delivered verbally by the probation
court officer.
15 day written reports
For completion after an adjournment and based on a full Offender Assessment
System (OASys) assessment (see Appendix A).
Are normally suitable for high seriousness cases and some medium seriousness
cases with complex issues to address:
1
•
Sexual offences
•
Domestic violence
•
Child protection
•
Serious mental health issues
Probation Instruction (PI05/2011 – Determining Pre-Sentence Reports)
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•
High risk of serious harm
•
Serious racially aggravated violence
•
Prolific offending
•
Robbery
•
Burglary, where the court has indicated that it is considering passing a
Community Order or Suspended Sentence Order and requires a Pre
Sentence Report.
•
Completed within 15 working days for bailed offenders and within court
agreed timescale for those remanded in custody.
Written reports completed on the day or within five days
•
London Probation Trust will not normally complete a full OASys
assessment for this report type
•
Normally suitable for low seriousness cases and a significant number
of medium seriousness cases, where the court has indicated that it is
considering passing a Community Order and requires a Pre Sentence
Report
•
Sometimes suitable for straightforward custodial cases that do not
require extensive information and analysis.
Oral Reports
An Oral Report can be provided instead of a written Pre Sentence Report on an
offender aged 18 or over in less complex cases.
•
Can be requested where the offence is less serious and the court’s
purpose of sentence is punishment. They are also suitable in assessing
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for a single requirement such as Attendance Centre, Curfew or Unpaid
Work requirement
•
Oral reports can also be used where an offender is currently being
supervised by the probation service, or there is a previous report from
within the last 12 months.
These reports will be completed on the same day as requested.
The following cases would be considered for an Oral Report:
•
Serving prisoner
•
Offender is currently under probation supervision
•
Recent report prepared i.e. within 12 months.
When ordering a PSR
Where the court is minded to ask for a report from probation, the bench is asked
to complete the standard national sentencing form. The form indicates the
seriousness of the offence and the purpose/s of sentencing, e.g. rehabilitation or
punishment. This enables the report writer to focus the report and the
recommendation on the court’s view of the case.
The report writer should raise any factors they think are relevant to the attention
of the court, even if they do not obviously fit in with the court’s indications.
Occasionally, the court senior probation officer will apply ‘professional
moderation’ to the report process. This gives the Trust the authority to consider
individual circumstances and the risk profile of each defendant. It may result in a
different report format being prepared. This may occur when details of significant
risk are encountered during the preparation of an Oral Report and it is moderated
to a written report. In other circumstances a requested written report may be
delivered as an Oral Report.
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The Community Order and its Requirements
What is it?
The Criminal Justice Act 2003 provides for a single Community Order and has
been amended by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act
2012. Courts are able to choose between 13 requirements to make up a bespoke
order, the longest requirement representing the total duration. The same
requirements are also available as part of a Suspended Sentence Order, but a
key difference is that a Suspended sentence Order can stand alone, without a
requirement.
How does it work?
The majority of provisions under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of
Offenders Act came into force on 3 December 2012 and applies to sentencing
after that date. Community Orders are restricted to imprisonable offences. Each
order must contain at least one of the 13 requirements. The order can run for up
to three years. There is no minimum duration, but some of the requirements
have a minimum number of hours that must be imposed. An assessment of
suitability will identify a certain period as necessary in order to complete the tasks
agreed with the offender. Once the final requirement is complete, the Order will
come to an end.
The 13 requirements are:
•
Activity
•
Exclusion
•
Prohibited Activity
•
Attendance Centre
•
•
Residence
•
Alcohol Treatment
Foreign Travel
Prohibition
Curfew
•
Unpaid Work
•
Drug
Rehabilitation
Mental Health
Treatment
Supervision
•
•
•
•
Programmes
A fourteenth possible requirement, Alcohol Abstinence, is to be piloted in 2013. It
is not intended for alcohol dependent offenders.
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Deciding on the requirements
Requirements may be combined subject to:
•
Compatibility of requirements
•
Suitability for the offender
•
The offender’s religious beliefs or times of work and education not being
compromised
•
The overall restriction on liberty or punitive content being commensurate
with the seriousness of the offending (that is, the seriousness of the
current offence/s and any recent and relevant previous convictions).
Advice on suitable combinations of requirements, and the availability of electronic
monitoring to secure compliance, will be provided by the Probation Service. The
sentencing proposal will reflect the court’s initial indication as to low, medium or
high seriousness.
The Sentencing Council Guidelines indicate the number and type of requirements
that may be appropriate for different seriousness levels.
For low seriousness cases they say that ‘in most cases only one requirement will
be appropriate and the length may be curtailed if additional requirements are
necessary’.
The following descriptions of the 13 requirements include suggestions for
duration at the different seriousness levels. This is the Probation Service
interpretation of what could be included and is based, where available, on the
Sentencing Council Guidelines. The descriptions also include suggested main
purposes. Courts will wish to make their own judgment on a case-by-case basis.
It is expected that a court will indicate its initial purpose of sentencing from the
statutory list below, which the Trust proposal will also reflect:
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•
The punishment of offenders
•
The reduction of crime (including its reduction by deterrence)
•
The reform and rehabilitation of offenders
•
The protection of the public
•
The making of reparation by offenders to persons affected by their offence.
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Suspended Sentence Order
Main Purpose
Punishment and rehabilitation (depending on requirement(s) imposed).
What is it?
A sentence of up to two years imprisonment (or not more than six months if
imposed by a magistrates’ court) may be suspended for between six months and
two years.
The Court can impose a ‘stand-alone’ Suspended Sentence Order with no
requirement, or select from the same 13 requirements available for the
Community Order. If the offender complies with the requirements during the
period of supervision and does not commit another offence during the specified
operational period, the sentence of imprisonment will not take effect.
The Sentencing Council Guideline says: ‘Because of the very clear deterrent
threat involved in a suspended sentence, requirements imposed as part of that
sentence should generally be less onerous than those imposed as part of a
community sentence. A court wishing to impose onerous or intensive
requirements on an offender should reconsider its decision to suspend sentence
and consider whether a community sentence might be more appropriate.’2
2
Sentencing Council Guidelines – New Sentences: Criminal Justice Act 2003 (December 2004)
p25
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How does it work?
A breach would result in a return to court for all or part of the original custodial
sentence to be imposed or, in some cases, the Suspended Sentence Order to be
continued but with the requirements made more onerous.
In exceptional cases it is open to the court to take no action, although the
presumption of custodial activation (in full or in part) remains.
In reaching a decision, the court must take into account both the extent to which
the offender has complied with the requirements and the facts of (any) new
offence.’
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Activity Requirement (also known as Specified Activity
Requirement – SAR)
Main purposes
Rehabilitation and reparation.
What is it?
A package of possibly wide-ranging activities, from day centre attendance to
education and basic skills assessment and training, to reparation to victims or
persons affected by the offending. A range of specified activities available from
London Probation Trust at the time of writing are available in Appendix B.
Usefully supported by
A Supervision Requirement may be appropriate to provide additional support to
medium to high seriousness cases. A Curfew Requirement may also be
recommended for medium or high seriousness cases where additional
punishment is considered appropriate.
Further information required?
The court must be satisfied that compliance is feasible. An Activity Requirement
cannot be made without the consent of any person whose co-operation is
necessary for compliance. The consent of the offender is not necessary.
Seriousness levels
Medium: 20 to 30 days
High: up to the maximum 60 days
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Alcohol Treatment Requirement
Main purpose
Rehabilitation.
What is it?
Whilst there is no minimum term to this requirement, a period will be proposed to
facilitate treatment intended to reduce or eliminate alcohol dependency. A
qualified or experienced person to deliver treatment must be specified.
Usefully supported by
A Supervision Requirement will usually be appropriate to provide additional
support, and in most cases is recommended by London Probation Trust due to
the link between alcohol misuse and violent offending. The length of this
requirement will usually determine the length of the order.
Further information required?
The court must be satisfied that:
•
The offender is dependent on alcohol, and requires and may be
susceptible to treatment
•
The offender is willing to comply
•
Treatment can be arranged.
Seriousness levels
A specialist assessor will recommend the treatment required to meet the needs of
the offender. London Probation Trust recommends Alcohol Treatment
Requirements are proposed for six months, in line with alcohol treatment
programme availability. Additional requirements may be added to reflect the
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seriousness of the offence. Offenders will be encouraged to continue in
treatment beyond the enforceable period where appropriate.
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Attendance Centre Requirement
Main purpose
•
Punishment of low-to-medium risk offenders
•
Diversion from custody
•
Reducing reoffending.
What is it?
The Attendance Centre Requirement is available for 18-to-24 year olds only3.
The offender must attend an attendance centre for 12–36 hours, with a maximum
of three hours per attendance and one attendance per day.
Although the main purpose of the Attendance Centre Requirement is punishment,
additional objectives for the instruction and activities facilitated by the Attendance
Centre staff are designed to improve the offender’s lifestyle and attitudes; and to
assist in diversion from reoffending. The emphasis on attitudes, thinking and
behaviour is also intended to encourage compliance with any other requirements
in a multi-requirement Community Order.
3
Junior Attendance Centres are available for youths aged 17 and under managed by Youth
Offending Teams. While 16 and 17 year olds can attend Senior Attendance Centres at the
sentencer's discretion, London Probation Trust does not make provision for under 18s in its
Senior Attendance Centre facilities.
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In London, Senior Attendance Centres for male offenders take place fortnightly
on a Saturday. The current five locations where these centres are delivered
across London are: Croydon, Greenwich, Mill Hill, Stratford and Hounslow.
London Probation Trust also run three Senior Attendance Centres – in Camden,
Lewisham (currently under review) and Ealing – specifically designed to address
the criminogenic needs of women offenders. The Women’s Senior Attendance
Centre is a unique provision and the first of its kind in the country. For more
details, see the Women Offenders section on page 44.
Usefully supported by
Attendance at a Senior Attendance Centre can be enforced as a standalone
requirement or be combined with any other requirement outlined in the Criminal
Justice Act 2003. Attendance Centre participation
can be a requirement in either a suspended sentence or Community Order.
Attendance Centre requirements can be recommended in order to provide:
•
A standalone punishment for lower seriousness level offences
•
A means of making an Order for more onerous as a sanction for breach
•
An appropriate feature within a multi-requirement order.
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Senior Attendance Centre (SAC) locations
Centre Name
Greenwich
SAC
Croydon
SAC
Hounslow
SAC
Mill Hill
SAC
Stratford
SAC
Address
The John Roan School
Westcombe Park Road
Blackheath
London SE3 7QR
Bensham Manor School
Ecclesbourne Road
Thornton Heath
Surrey CR7 7BR
Lampton School
Lampton Avenue
Hounslow
Middlesex TW3 4EP
County School
Worcester Crescent
Mill Hill
London NW7 4LL
Park Primary School
Matthews Park Avenue
Stratford
London E15 4AE
Boroughs
Southwark, Bexley,
Greenwich
Croydon, Merton, Sutton,
Wandsworth, Lambeth,
Bromley, Lewisham
Hounslow, Hillingdon, Ealing,
Kingston, Richmond,
Hammersmith & Fulham,
Westminster
Brent, Barnet, Haringey,
Enfield, Camden, Islington,
Kensington & Chelsea,
Harrow
City, Hackney, Tower
Hamlets, Waltham Forest,
Redbridge, Barking &
Dagenham, Havering,
Newham
Women’s Senior Attendance Centre (WSAC) locations
Centre Name
Camden
SAC
Lewisham
SAC
(currently under review)
Ealing
SAC
Address
Camden Women’s Centre
199 Arlington Road
London NW1 7HA
Lewisham Probation Office
208 Lewisham High Street
London SE13 6JP
Ealing Probation Office
Leeland House
Leeland Road
London W13 9HH
Boroughs
Boroughs which enable arrival
at the WSAC location within
90 minutes of travel
Boroughs which enable arrival
at the WSAC location within
90 minutes of travel
Boroughs which enable arrival
at the WSAC location within
90 minutes of travel
For more information or to request a visit to a Senior Attendance Centre, please
email: [email protected].
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Eligibility and appropriateness
•
Offenders sentenced to a Suspended Sentence Order or Community
Order with an Attendance Centre Requirement must fall within the age
range of 18-to-24 years.
•
The court must be satisfied a centre is available and accessible to the
offender within 90 minutes of travel.
•
The offender does not pose a risk of serious harm to the public.
•
The offender is able to function in a group setting.
•
The offenders Offender Group Reconviction Scale should normally not
exceed 49.
Seriousness levels
Senior Attendance Centres are appropriate for low-to-medium risk offenders
(offenders assessed as tiers one and two). Some higher risk offenders may be
suitable for consideration subject to a supporting assessment.
Number of hours and attendance requirements
Offenders can be sentenced to 12-36 hours and should be instructed to attend
the centre according to the frequency with which the facility operates. The
offender is not to be expected to complete more than three hours of activity on
any one attendance and should not be instructed to attend more than once on
any given day. The centre operates every fortnight.
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Guide for Community Order lengths
12 hours: 3 months
24 hours: 5 months
30 hours: 6 months
26 hours: 7 months
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Curfew Requirement
Main purposes
Punishment and protection.
What is it?
The offender must remain at a specified place for between two and 16 hours a day
and this can last for up to a period of 12 months.
The curfew can be at different places and/or different periods on different days.
The court must impose electronic monitoring (tagging) unless the necessary
consent (for instance a landlord’s consent) has not been given, or the court
considers it inappropriate, due to the effect on others residing in the property.
Curfew will be targeted at those offenders most at risk of custody, but can often
be a suitable sentence following breach of another Community Order where
revoking and re-sentencing is proposed or to make the overall order more
onerous after breach. A curfew may be particularly appropriate as a means of
preventing further crime at the time of day covered by the curfew (e.g. alcohol
related offences in the evening), or on a weekend, but it is not restricted to that
purpose and may also be suitable more generally as a punishment.
Usefully supported by
Can be used to support other requirements for medium or high risk offenders e.g.
in addition to a programme, or where greater punishment is required, or as part of
a package where offenders are at risk of receiving an immediate prison sentence.
Further information required?
The court must obtain and consider information about the place of curfew,
including information about the attitude of persons likely to be affected by the
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enforced presence of the offender. This may be achieved by requesting a Pre
Sentence Report for preparation on the day.
In particular, curfew will not be recommended where there is evidence of
domestic violence or child protection issues.
A landline is not required for electronic monitoring.
Seriousness levels
Low: up to two months
Medium: two to three months
High: four to twelve months
The number of hours an offender is sentenced to each day/week will also depend
on the seriousness of the offence.
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Drug Rehabilitation Requirement
Main purpose
Rehabilitation.
What is it?
This requirement has no minimum length but a period will be proposed to enable
a reduction or elimination of a dependency or propensity to misuse drugs.
Monitoring is supported by regular drug testing.
Progress reviews by the court at intervals of not less than one month are optional
for requirements of up to 12 months and are mandatory over 12 months.
Usefully supported by
A Supervision Requirement will usually be appropriate to provide additional
support, and is recommended in the National Offender Management Service
(NOMS) updated guidance (2012) on Drug Rehabilitation Requirements. The
term of the supervision requirement will represent the length of the order.
Further information required?
Drug Rehabilitation Requirements cannot be imposed unless the Probation
Service together with a specialist drug treatment assessor has recommended it
as suitable for the offender and the offender is willing to comply.
The court must also be satisfied that:
•
The offender is dependent on, or has a propensity to misuse drugs, and
their drug use is susceptible to treatment
•
Treatment is available and can be arranged
•
The offender is willing to comply
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Seriousness levels
The treatment intensity is linked to treatment need, as stated by the specialist
Drug Rehabilitation Requirement assessor.
In most cases, a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement alongside a Supervision
Requirement will suffice, but other requirements, such as a curfew, may be
proposed to reflect the seriousness of the offence. Offenders will be encouraged
to continue in treatment beyond the enforceable period where appropriate.
Requirements can vary up to three years but generally a six month Drug
Rehabilitation Requirement with a longer Supervision Requirement is
recommended.
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Exclusion Requirement
Main purposes
Punishment and protection.
What is it?
The offender may not enter a specified place or places for a period of up to two
years. The exclusion can be limited to particular periods specified and at different
places for different periods or days.
Electronic monitoring for Exclusion
Requirements is not available in London at the time of publication (April 2013).
Usefully supported by
A Curfew Requirement where the offender is medium-to-high risk and greater
punishment is required.
Seriousness levels
Low: a few months
Medium: about six months
High: about 12 months
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Mental Health Treatment Requirement
Main purpose
Rehabilitation.
What is it?
Under Section 207 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, a Mental Health Treatment
Requirement provides for an offender to undergo mental health treatment under
the direction of a named medical practitioner. It is the responsibility of the medical
practitioner to report any non-compliance to the supervising probation officer.
Treatment may be carried out in an in-patient or out-patient setting, but the type
and nature of such treatment need not be specified by the Court. However, the
sole aim of the requirement is to improve the mental condition of the offender.
The Mental Health Treatment Requirement can be used in relation to any mental
health issue including personality disorder. The type of treatment and degree of
intervention will vary according to medical necessity. An offender‘s noncompliance with the taking of medication should be considered by the supervising
officer, with a view to returning the order to court.
Usefully supported by
A Supervision Requirement is appropriate to provide additional support,
particularly in medium to high seriousness cases, except where treatment is
residential.
Further information required?
The court must be satisfied that:
•
On the written or oral evidence of a registered medical practitioner (a
Consultant Psychiatrist, Chartered Psychologist or Community Psychiatric
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Nurse) the mental condition of the offender is such as requires and may be
susceptible to treatment, but does not warrant the making of a Hospital or
Guardianship Order.
•
The offender is willing to comply with the identified treatment
•
Arrangements are in place for the offender to receive treatment as
specified in the order
•
There is a named clinician agreeing to be specified in the order
•
The duration of the requirement must be stated in the order
A specialist report from a medical practitioner suitable to carry out an assessment
is usually required. Medical practitioners are not legally or contractually obliged
to prepare a report and so the court should first seek the guidance of the duty
probation officer.
Seriousness levels
Low: a few months
Medium: about six months
High: about 12 months
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Programme Requirement
Main purpose
Rehabilitation.
What is it?
A group work or individual programme accredited and designed to address
attitudes and behaviour that contribute to offending.
Programmes fall in to four categories:
1. General offending
2. Violence
3. Sexual offending
4. Domestic abuse
See Appendices B and C for details of all Specified Activity Requirements and
programmes available from London Probation Trust.
Usefully supported by
A Supervision Requirement is usually necessary to provide additional support,
and enable completion of pre and post group work.
Further information required?
The Court can include a programme requirement if recommended by the
Probation Service. Whilst a particular programme may be identified in the presentence report, there is no need to specify it in the making of the order. The
duration of this requirement should be expressed in days.
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Seriousness levels
Medium to high.
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Prohibited Activity Requirement
Main purposes
Punishment and protection.
What is it?
The offender must refrain from participating in activities on a particular day or
days or during a period of up to three years. Examples include prohibition from:
•
Entering any licensed premises
•
Attending any football match
•
Communicating with any minor without the approval of the responsible
officer.
Usefully supported by
A Curfew or Attendance Centre Requirement may provide additional support if
required, or greater punishment.
Further information required?
The court must consult the Probation Service before including such a
Requirement in an order.
Seriousness levels
Low, medium and high
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Foreign Travel Prohibition Requirement
Main purpose
Protection
What is it?
The Court can impose a prohibition on foreign travel, prohibiting the offender from
travelling to a country or countries (or territory or territories) outside the British
Islands (the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).
Further Information required?
This requirement is not intended as a punishment, but to have a significant
impact on the likelihood of re-offending. Therefore, an assessment of suitability
would consider the risk of reoffending and the harm caused, in countries outside
the United Kingdom.
Seriousness levels
Medium or high.
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Residence Requirement
Main purposes
Rehabilitation and protection.
What is it?
The offender must reside at the place specified, either an Approved Premises
(probation hostel) or private address. This is for high or very high risk offenders.
Usefully supported by
A Supervision Requirement will usually be appropriate to provide additional
support and contact after moving to next-stage accommodation. Residence at an
Approved Premises automatically includes a supervised curfew.
Offenders residing at one of London Probation Trust’s Approved Premises will be
required to undertake a minimum of 15 hours of purposeful activity each week.
Activities are designed to be restrictive and constructive, and will support public
protection and the reduction of reoffending. Approved Premises staff work
closely with the offender manager to design the individual’s programme to
achieve a successful residency outcome.
Further information required?
The court would need to ask for an assessment of suitability before an offender
manager can recommend an Approved Premises. Residence in an Approved
Premises or institution must be proposed by the Probation Service. The court
must consider the current home circumstances (if any) of the offender, and the
suitability of the proposed address.
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Seriousness levels
High or very high (up to 36 months)
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Supervision Requirement
Main purpose
Rehabilitation.
What is it?
Requires the offender to attend regular appointments with the responsible officer
or another person determined by the officer to promote rehabilitation. There is no
minimum length. During the period of supervision, the Probation Service will
undertake work with the offender to change attitudes and behaviour, for example:
•
Deliver pre-programme work, monitor and review patterns of behaviour
•
Increase motivation
•
Provide support to increase compliance with other relevant requirements
•
Support and reinforce learning
•
Deliver individual counselling
•
Post work for accredited programmes.
The offender manager may also provide sign-posting to agencies for help with
housing, health, financial management and other social issues.
Usefully supported by
A Programme Requirement and any of the three treatment requirements may be
appropriate where supervision can provide initial motivational work and support.
In some cases it may be used appropriately to support activity requirements.
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Further information required?
A Pre Sentence Report should be considered.
Seriousness levels
Low: up to 12 months
Medium: 12 to 18 months
High: 12 to 36 months
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Unpaid Work Requirement
Main purposes
Punishment, reparation and rehabilitation.
What is it?
It is a requirement on the offender to work unpaid on a Community Payback
project for a total number of hours as specified by the court.
The number of
hours must be specified between 40 and 300 and must be performed within 12
months (unless the court extends the order). Unpaid Work is usually more
effective for offenders who do not have complex needs.
Community Payback sessions are normally at least seven hours per day.
A wide variety of placements are available seven days a week, including
individual and workshop placements. An offender’s individual needs, for example
– employment, disability or medical requirements, are fully considered as part of
placement decisions. This may influence the number of days worked in the week,
together with their duration.
When making recommendations in respect of sentencing offenders in breach of
unpaid work requirements, London Probation Trust will bear in mind that
additional unpaid work may not be successful. A curfew requirement may be
more appropriate as an additional punishment.
Further information required?
The court must be satisfied that the offender is suitable, likely to complete
the requirement and available to perform work. This will be assessed by the
Probation Service in a Pre Sentence Report.
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Seriousness levels
Low: 40 to 80 hours
Medium: 80 to 150 hours
High: 150 to 300 hours
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Breach of a Community Order
Following an admitted or proven breach of a Community Order the court must
either:
•
Impose a fine not exceeding £2,500
•
Amend the order to make it more onerous, for example by adding a
Requirement or by extending the duration of an existing requirement
•
Revoke the order and re-sentence the offender as if he or she had just
been convicted. In the event of the court being satisfied of a wilful and
persistent refusal to comply, a custodial sentence, irrespective of whether
the original offence warranted custody.
Taking no action on a breach is not an option for the court.
Where the order was made by the Crown Court (and that court directed that
failures to comply should be dealt with by the Magistrates’ Court) the Magistrates’
Court dealing with the breach may instead remand the offender in custody or
release him on bail to appear before the Crown Court.
Where the Crown Court reserved any breach, the offender will appear directly at
the Crown Court.
The same powers on breach are available to the Crown Court. Curfew can be
used as a straight punishment, also unpaid work (Community Payback) between
20-300 hours.
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Court Bail Information Scheme
London Probation Trust runs Court Bail Information Schemes across Magistrates’
Courts in London.
Delivered by a member of the Probation Court team, we offer targeted bail
services to defendants denied bail by the police and produced in court from
custody. The service identifies objection to bail on any individual case, and then
works to provide a bail package to address these concerns. This may allow the
court to consider granting bail with conditions.
The schemes work with Bail Accommodation Support Services (BASS) – run by
Stonham Housing (see page 36). They also work to develop bail packages that
aim to address wider areas of concern that Sentences may consider when
making bail decisions.
The role of the Bail Information Officer
Bail Information Officers will make any necessary checks to verify facts – from
checking addresses and speaking to the householders involved, to setting up
contact with drug agencies. When necessary, they will also liaise with any
relevant professionals who may be able to provide information about the person
and their contact or involvement with them.
Bail Information Report
Once facts fare verified, and any necessary support put in place, the Bail
Information Officer will deliver a Bail Information report to the court – either
written or verbally.
The report states to what extent information has been verified. It may provide a
range of possible alternatives to a remand in custody for the court to consider.
Unlike a Pre Sentence Report, it will not provide formal assessment. It could
however, provide professional opinions gained through enquiries.
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Bail Accommodation and Support Services
The Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS) has been developed by
NOMS to prevent defendants entering custody or remaining in custody any longer
than is necessary for reasons which could be resolved through the provision of
suitable and supported accommodation. London Probation Trust provides Bail
Information Reports in courts upon request from the court or a defence lawyer.
These reports may include a BASS referral.
What is BASS?
BASS can provide temporary accommodation together with support, or it can
provide support only for defendants who are able to live in their own homes. The
provision lasts for the length of the bail period plus seven days. The service is
managed on behalf of NOMS by Stonham, the care and support division of Home
Group, one of the country’s largest housing associations.
What can the defendant expect to receive through BASS?
BASS accommodation is available throughout London. Housing is based on
shared, single-gender houses, with up to four residents.
Visiting support from a designated support officer, which is also available for
defendants who already have accommodation, is designed to help a defendant
to:
•
Adhere to bail conditions
•
Desist from reoffending
•
Access benefits and medical services
•
Keep appointments
•
Apply for jobs, education or training
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•
Improve life skills
•
Develop an action plan
•
Find move-on accommodation
•
Rebuild family contacts.
One support session a week is mandatory and further enforceable sessions can
be ordered by the court. Additional sessions will be provided by Stonham to
address individual needs.
This support is not statutory supervision. Formal supervision would be
undertaken by the offender manager if there is one in place, otherwise bail
conditions are managed by the police.
Bail conditions
Placement with BASS is intended to support conditional bail granted by the court.
A service user can be subject to any conditions imposed by the court, including
electronic tagging.
Once a defendant has been assessed as suitable for placement by the BASS
provider, a proposal will be given to the Bench. It is suggested that the following
bail condition wordings are used:
‘To live and sleep at [address] and to comply with the conditions of
BASS.’
Plus, in appropriate cases
‘To receive additional support provided through the BASS Enhanced
Women’s Service.’
The ‘conditions of BASS’ referred to in this bail wording are those rules of the
service the breach of which will amount to a breach of bail and will result in
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Stonham initiating formal breach action with the police. These conditions are
limited to:
•
A requirement to attend mandatory contact sessions – which will be one
a week unless the court has required more. A failure to attend one
session without good reason will incur a warning. A failure to attend two
sessions within any period of 21 days will result in breach.
•
Payment of rent. If arrears become excessive Stonham will withdraw
the accommodation.
•
A requirement to comply with rules as to behaviour in the house, towards
staff, other occupants and neighbours. Stonham will seek to support
users in addressing behaviour but, if necessary, will withdraw the service.
Stonham may also withdraw accommodation at any time for good reason, e.g.
house sharing risks, and may initiate breach of the residence condition on this
basis. Stonham will also initiate breach action with the police if the residence
condition is breached through absconding.
Breach of conditions
Breach of bail conditions is dealt with wholly by the police and courts although
should the nature of the breach make the defendant ineligible the BASS
placement may be withdrawn.
If an offender breaches Stonham’s core rules they will be in breach of
the court’s instructions.
Enhanced Women’s Service
BASS offers an Enhanced Women’s Service for women remanded on bail. This
provides additional levels of support for female defendants with multiple or high
levels of need which cannot be met through the normal BASS accommodation or
support-only service.
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It includes:
•
Increased levels of support of up to ten hours per week with daily contact if
required.
•
Specialist support by specially trained female support workers, who
understand the needs of women and can work with other voluntary,
community and statutory agencies – accessing drug, alcohol and mental
health services, women’s community projects, housing and parenting
support. Support also includes specialist services negotiated for those
who are sex workers or have experienced domestic violence.
•
Multi-agency risk assessment for women with particularly high needs is
undertaken with support officers taking part in planning conferences.
•
On-going support is available to vulnerable women for up to four weeks
after move on from BASS.
•
Accommodation suitable for women, offering one or two bedroom
properties, provides the option to be joined by their children where
appropriate.
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Women Offenders
The 2007 Corston Report, which reviewed provision for vulnerable women in the
Criminal Justice System, demonstrated clearly that women offenders need
specialist support. There are a number of women’s community projects in
London which provide support, and a variety of interventions aimed at reducing
reoffending by women.
Some of these projects are provided London-wide and these are listed. In
addition, each London borough has a number of local projects and organisations
which provide support to women offenders to reduce their risk of reoffending and
assist with social integration. London Probation Trust has established a structure
of specialist officers in each of our Local Delivery Units to enable offenders to
access these services. Our staff can advise the courts on local provision.
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London-wide women’s community projects
Advance Advocacy – The Minerva Project
Aims
y To divert women from
custody and out of the
criminal justice system
• To reduce and prevent
reoffending amongst
women in Brent and
Hammersmith
London Probation Trust
Services
Suitability
(all female 18 plus)
• Brent and
Hammersmith
• A range of support
services relating to
housing advice,
• Ex, current or prolific
domestic abuse
offenders at any
support and substance
stage in the criminal
misuse.
justice system.
• Counselling, self
• Women at risk of
esteem programmes,
offending i.e. those
free legal advice.
experiencing
• Advice on parenting,
homelessness,
managing money, life
substance misuse,
skills and healthy
mental health,
eating.
prostitution, poverty,
unemployment, lack
• A report can be
of skills, isolation,
provided to the court
family offending etc.
prior to sentencing.
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Bench Guide to Community Sentences – June 2013
London-wide women’s community projects continued
Depaul UK and women@thewell
Suitability
(all female 18 plus)
In partnership, these two • Access to appropriate • Women, particularly
organisations provide
young women aged
specialist services,
centre-based services,
18-30, from across
including:
accommodation and
London, with a strong
o Housing advice,
community support to
focus on those in
access to supported
help prevent offending
Camden and
accommodation
behaviour and enable
Islington
and emergency
vulnerable young women
accommodation
• Services are
to get their lives back on
placements
designed for women
track.
at risk of offending
o Benefits advice and
• To contribute towards
and women
advocacy
a reduction of the
offenders, including
o Medical services
number of women who
women:
(GP,
mental
and
are not serious or
o At risk of a
sexual health)
violent offenders who
custodial
pose a risk to the
o Drugs/alcohol
sentence
public
support and detox.
o On bail
• To provide services in
o Legal support
o On community
the community for
o
Mediation
and
orders
women at risk of
relationship
support
offending and women
o Released
offenders
o Therapeutic support
following
and
counselling
custodial
• To assess needs and
sentences
provide an integrated
• Pro-social activities
package of support
• Food, laundry and
across a range of
shower facilities,
areas
clothes store
Aims
Services
• Opportunities for
training, volunteering
and employment
placements
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Bench Guide to Community Sentences – June 2013
London-wide women’s community projects continued
Trust
Aims
Services
Specific interventions
A community based
women’s project in
within the criminal justice
system including:
Lambeth supporting
women involved in or
• Court Diversion
exited from prostitution
Scheme (Camberwell
and women involved in,
Magistrates Court).
moving on from, or at risk
We are able to
of involvement in the
write/contribute to
criminal justice system by
reports prior to court
providing a range of
for clients who have
services to support
engaged with the
positive choices.
service as well as
provide support to
• To encourage women
meet the requirements
to make informed
of our Court Diversion
choices and decisions
Scheme (for women
about issues important
involved in street
to them, offering hope,
prostitution in
new opportunities and
Lambeth).
long term support
through any process of
• Women’s Criminal
change
Justice Case Manager
(for all women
involved in prostitution
and the criminal justice
system)
• Probation Surgery
• Groupwork
Programmes
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47
Suitability
(all female 18 plus)
• Resident in Lambeth
• Fit at least one of the
following:
o On licence or a
probation order
o Current
involvement in the
criminal justice
system
o Involvement in the
criminal justice
system in the last
six months
o Released from
prison in the last
six months
o At risk of short
term sentences
o Involved or exited
from street
prostitution
Bench Guide to Community Sentences – June 2013
London-wide women’s community projects continued
Jagonari Women’s Community Project
Aims
Services
Whitechapel-based
community project
supporting vulnerable
women in contact with
the criminal justice
system, or those at risk
of offending or
reoffending.
• Physical and
psychological health
care
• To provide effective,
sensitive and holistic
support to women with
complex multiple
needs ranging from
mental health,
substance misuse,
history of sexual and
domestic violence,
rape and prostitution.
• Finance, benefits and
debt
• Education skills and
employment
• Accommodation
advice and support
• Children, families and
relationships
• Drugs and alcohol
• Alternative therapies
• Mental health
• Cognitive behavioural
therapy
• Support for abuse,
rape and domestic
violence
• Support for women
involved in prostitution
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Suitability
(all female 18 plus)
• Resident in Tower
Hamlets and
Hackney
Bench Guide to Community Sentences – June 2013
There are many other projects for women in London that cover different
boroughs. London Probation Trust has a network for champions for women
across our local delivery units who have knowledge of and links with these
organisations that support women in the community. London Probation Trust has
also mapped the projects across London so that all staff can view the range of
resources available.
Women’s Senior Attendance Centre
London Probation Trust runs a Senior Attendance Centre for women, the first of
its kind in the country. The Women’s Senior Attendance Centre is currently
available at London Probation Trust’s Women’s Centre, Camden, Lewisham
probation office (currently under review) and Ealing probation office.
The Senior Attendance Centre operates every Saturday allowing a more
intensive intervention with women who often have high levels of vulnerability. This
also enables a fast start with a space provided on the first Saturday after
sentencing.
For more information about support for vulnerable people see the Mental Health
section on page 26.
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Victims
It is a statutory responsibility for all Probation Trusts to contact victims (or their
relatives) of serious sexual/violent offences when the offender receives a
minimum of 12 months imprisonment or certain mental health disposals. These
offences are listed in Schedule 15 of Criminal Justice Act 2003. On release these
offenders are subject to supervision by London Probation Trust and victims can
request extra conditions in relation to themselves.
Referrals to London’s Victim Liaison Service (VLS) are made by probation staff in
the Crown Courts and the police supply the victims’ addresses. The NOMS
target for contacting victims is within 40 working days of sentence.
VLS staff work closely with offender managers to obtain information and manage
risk. At the same time the VLS aims to ensure that offender managers are
sensitive to victim issues in their work with offenders. The VLS provides
information to the victim at key stages in the offender’s sentence such as
temporary release.
Staff do not provide counselling or ongoing support – but
referrals are made to other agencies, such as Victim Support or police community
safety units to develop safety plans in cases where there is a high risk of revictimisation.
The VLS provides reports on behalf of victims, if they so wish, usually after
meeting with them and a copy is sent to the offender manager. Most victims want
their reports to be held in confidence and they understand that their views do not
influence whether or not a prisoner is to be released, only the conditions under
which they are supervised. The most usual conditions victims request are for non
contact and exclusion from a particular area during the supervision period.
In those cases which the Parole Board assess for release, victims have the
opportunity to write a separate Victim Personal Statement about the impact the
offence has had on them and their concerns about release. Applications can be
made for victims to attend oral hearings of the Parole Board.
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Appendix A: Offender Assessment System (OASys)
The Offender Assessment System (OASys) was developed jointly by the
Probation and Prison Services and is a national system for assessing and
managing the risks and needs of an offender. It is designed to:
•
Facilitate the assessment of the likelihood of reconviction
•
Identify and prioritise offending relating needs
•
Facilitate the assessment of risk of serious harm
•
Assist with the management of risk of serious harm
•
Facilitate sentence planning
•
Measure change during supervision.
All offender managers use OASys as their assessment tool. OASys takes into
account the factors that have contributed to the offender’s criminal behaviour
such as employment history, living conditions and drug or alcohol abuse, and
uses highly sophisticated techniques to assess the threat offenders pose to the
public and the risk of reoffending.
Every case for which London Probation Trust has a statutory responsibility should
have an OASys Risk of Harm Screening. If the screening process suggests there
are indicators of risk, the Risk of Harm Full Analysis and the Risk of Harm
Summary should be completed.
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Appendix B: Specified Activities Available from London
Probation Trust
Specified Activity: Structured Supervision Programme (SSP) ............................. 53
Specified Activity: Structured Supervision for Women (SSW).............................. 55
Specified Activity: One-to-One Manual for Domestic Violence ............................ 58
Specified Activity: Structured Supervision for Anger Management (SSAM)......... 60
Specified Activity: Caring Dads ........................................................................... 62
Specified Activity: Sexual Offending.................................................................... 65
Specified Activity: Internet Sexual Offending ...................................................... 67
Specified Activity: Restorative Justice................................................................. 69
These may occasionally change in line with our service delivery contract with the
National Offender Management Service (NOMS).
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Specified Activity: Structured Supervision Programme
(SSP)
Programme aims
The Structured Supervision Programme (SSP) is a structured, sequenced
intervention for offenders who do not meet the criteria for London Probation
Trust’s group work programmes, e.g. the Thinking Skills Programme, including
offenders whose first language is not English.
The programme aims to help offenders to:
•
Improve their problem solving and communication skills
•
Set and achieve realistic goals for themselves
•
Take more control of their lives by thinking before they act
•
Increase victim awareness and empathy
•
Develop strategies for preventing relapse into offending behaviour
•
Link offenders with community resources for ongoing support.
•
Gain three credits and a certificate from the Open College Network
Target group
•
Male and female offenders aged 18 upwards
•
Medium to high risk of reoffending
•
Low to medium risk of harm
•
Medium to high seriousness
•
Pattern of general offending
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•
Offenders who are not eligible for accredited group work programmes but
have a pattern of general offending
What does the programme involve?
12 one hour sessions delivered by the offender manager plus two to three followup sessions linking offenders to community resources. Worksheets have been
translated into 15 languages to enable the programme to be delivered to
offenders whose first language is not English.
Legal framework
During structured supervision, an offender will be under the direct supervision of
a responsible officer (as defined by section 197 Criminal Justice Act 2003). The
responsible officer will manage the order, and ensure that the requirement is
enforced in accordance with National Standards and that the offender is returned
to court in the event of a breach of the order. Therefore, contrary to other
requirements, an accompanying supervision requirement is not required.
However, should the risk and need be assessed as high, a supervision
requirement might also be proposed.
Structured supervision can be used in conjunction with other requirements, such
as Curfew, or a fine [fine is not a requirement], should the court wish to make the
order more onerous to reflect the seriousness of the offence.
The intervention should be expressed as follows:
To participate in the Structured Supervision Programme Specified Activity
Requirement for 16 days under the Powers of the Criminal Justice Act 2003
Section 201.
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Specified Activity: Structured Supervision for Women
(SSW)
Structured Supervision for Women (SSW) is an intervention for women offenders
who are not suitable for accredited group programmes but who need a structured
intervention.
SSW consists of 16 one hour sessions which are delivered by offender managers
on a one-to-one basis and is a response to the Corston Report. This concluded
‘Women and men are different. Equal treatment of men and women does not
result in equal outcomes’ and called for prison and community based services to
be more sensitive to women’s needs.
While there is some overlap with male risk factors linked to offending, research
has shown that there are some risk factors which are more pertinent for women.
As well as sessions on problem solving, assertive communication and victim
awareness, the programme incorporates sessions on the following:
Healthy relationships – 62% of women had relationships as a risk factor
compared with 40% of men. Baroness Corston also points out that ‘relationship
problems feature strongly in women’s pathways to crime’ and ‘coercion by men
can form a route into criminal activity for some women’.
Emotions and behaviour – 65% of women compared with 39% of men.
Finances and budgeting – 28% of women compared with 20% of men. Women
who attend this programme will also be signposted to community organisations or
Ministry of Justice funded One Stop Shops which are best placed to offer them
support with ongoing problems and reduce the risk of future reoffending.
Programme aims
The programme aims to help women offenders to:
•
Set realistic goals for themselves
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•
Improve their problem solving and assertiveness skills
•
Take more control of their lives by thinking before they act, and
by recognising and controlling emotions
•
Develop healthy relationships
•
Budget more effectively
•
Reframe beliefs which may sabotage their goals, and develop more
positive self narratives
•
Develop strategies for preventing relapse into offending behaviour
•
Identify ongoing issues for the remaining period of supervision
•
Gain three credits and a certificate from the Open College Network.
Target group
The intervention is suitable for women who are at medium-to-high risk of
reoffending and eligible for one of the accredited group work programmes but not
suitable for various reasons. For example, child care commitments might make
travelling to one of the group work centres difficult. Offenders must be assessed
for suitability by an offender manager and a Pre Sentence Report is therefore
required.
Suitable offences: theft, burglary, fraud, deception, impulsive aggression,
multiple driving offences. Women with substance misuse issues, learning
difficulties or mental health issues are not excluded.
What does the programme involve?
SSW is a structured series of exercises, similar in its cognitive behavioural
approached to a structured supervision programme. It is 16 sessions long and is
designed to help women:
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•
Set realistic goals for themselves
•
Improve their problem solving and assertiveness skills
•
Take more control of their lives by thinking before they act, and by
recognising and controlling emotions
•
Develop more effectively
•
Reframe beliefs which may sabotage their goals, and develop more
positive self narratives
•
Develop strategies for preventing relapse into offending behaviour
•
Identify ongoing issues for the remaining period of supervision.
Legal framework
During the requirement, an offender will be under the direct supervision of a
responsible officer (as defined by section 197 Criminal Justice Act 2003). The
responsible officer will manage the order, and ensure that the requirement is
enforced in accordance with National Standards, and that the offender is returned
to court in the event of a breach of the order.
An accompanying Supervision Requirement is not necessary, although may
be proposed if the risk is assessed as higher.
Other requirements can be
added depending on risk factors and seriousness.
The intervention should be expressed as follows:
‘To participate in the Structured Supervision for Women Specified Activity
Requirement for 16 days under the powers of the Criminal Justice Act 2003
Section 201.’
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Specified Activity: One-to-One Manual for Domestic
Violence
Designed to be used with men who do not fit the suitability criteria for the
Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP) and those who are assessed as
lower risk offenders.
Programme aims
•
To enable the man to identify the changes he needs to make in his
abusive behaviour towards his partner, ex-partner or future partner.
•
To recognise the affects of his abusive behaviour on children and to
recognise the needs of children
•
To enable participants to make changes and develop goals for the future
•
To enhance skills and confidence to develop further skills
•
To gain three credits and a certificate from the Open College Network.
Target group
The target group is men who have been in (or are currently in) intimate
heterosexual relationships.
Who is suitable?
Men who are assessed as lower risk or who are not suitable for the IDAP
programme. (This latter category could also be medium and high risk men).
Who is not suitable?
•
Female offenders
•
Offenders in same sex relationships or who have assaulted siblings
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or parents exclusively
•
Offenders who have also offended sexually outside of the home.
What does the programme involve?
The standard one-to-one manual is a series of 15 sessions designed to be
delivered sequentially with men who have committed an act of domestic violence
or abuse. Additional exercises maybe undertaken if necessary. The services of
the London Probation Trust’s Women’s Safety Officers will be offered to the expartners/and or partners.
Legal framework
The Domestic Violence one-to-one programme should be used as a specified
activity alongside a supervision requirement.
Additional work may be then be undertaken by the offender manager – for
example, liaising with social services if there are child protection issues.
Programme length
Days needed to complete activity: 60 days.
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Specified Activity: Structured Supervision for Anger
Management (SSAM)
Structured Supervision for Anger Management (SSAM) is designed to be used
for men who are not suitable for the Aggression Replacement Training (ART)
group programme.
Programme aims
•
To reduce risk by working with offenders to explore the reasons
behind their anger and develop strategies to control their anger
•
The offender can also gain three credits and a certificate from the Open
College Network.
Target group
•
Male offenders aged 18 upwards
•
Offenders who have a previous offending history of violence but are
not suitable for the ART group programme
•
Offenders who have limited or no history of violence but have
committed an offence of violence.
Who is not suitable?
•
Sex offenders
•
Those who have committed acts of instrumental/ intimate violence only.
What does the programme involve?
10 to 13 sessions. Worksheets are translated into 15 languages to enable the
programme to be delivered to offenders whose first language is not English.
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Legal framework
During structured supervision, an offender will be under the direct supervision of
a responsible officer (as defined by Section 197 Criminal Justice Act 2003). The
responsible officer will manage the order and ensure that the requirement is
enforced in accordance with National Standards and that the offender is returned
to court in the event of a breach of the order.
A supervision requirement is not always required but should accompany those
community orders where risk has been identified as high.
Structured Supervision for Anger Management can be used in conjunction with
other requirements such as a Curfew or a Fine, should the court wish to make the
order more onerous to reflect the seriousness of the offence.
The intervention should be expressed as follows:
‘To participate in the Structured Supervision for Anger Management Specified
Activity Requirement for up to 15 days under the powers of the Criminal Justice
Act 2003 Section 201.’
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Specified Activity: Caring Dads
Programme aims
Caring Dads is a 17 week group intervention programme, located within a
coordinated case management approach, for men who have abused their
children or their children’s mother. It has a primary commitment to the safety and
well being of children with an explicit recognition that children’s safety and well
being is inseparable from the safety of their primary care givers (most often their
mothers). Caring Dads is not a domestic abuse perpetrator programme, but
many of those attending have been domestically abusive.
Referrals on to the programme will not be accepted unless there are
arrangements in place for oversight of child safety, which will usually be achieved
through social care professionals. Partner contact arrangements will be similar to
those operating in IDAP.
Target group
The Caring Dads Programme has been developed for men who:
•
Have physically and emotionally abused their children
•
Are at risk of maltreating their children
•
Have an over-bearing, controlling style of interacting with their children
•
Alternatively are under-involved and distant with their children
•
Have physically or emotionally abused children’s mothers
•
Have contact with their children
•
At least one child in the family is between the ages of 0–16 years
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•
Have some motivation to address their behaviour and abide by
the programmes rules and processes.
Who is not suitable?
•
Severe alcohol and/or substance misuse will mean that some men cannot
benefit from the intervention
•
Men who are a low risk of perpetrating the behaviours addressed in Caring
Dads are not likely to be suitable
•
Men who do not wish to take responsibility for their behaviour or who are
not willing to acknowledge or address it
•
A history of sexual abuse of children is likely to preclude men from the
programme unless there is a clear indication of successful treatment prior
to attendance
•
If there is a current pattern of violence in the relationship, Caring Dads is
not recommended as a standalone order. In cases where the violence is
current and the primary victimisation is towards the mother, Caring Dads
can be considered in sequence with a Domestic Violence perpetrator
programme.
What does the programme involve?
A combination of active group discussions, exercises and work to complete
between sessions. Over 17 two-hour sessions, participants on Caring Dads will
address:
•
Awareness of child-centred fathering (including children’s needs and those
of partners and ex-partners)
•
Awareness of and responsibility for abusive and neglectful fathering
including exposing children to abuse of their mothers
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•
Building better relationships with children
•
Problem-solving in difficult situations.
We are currently delivering in Wandsworth, Merton, Croydon, Lambeth, Islington,
Tower Hamlets and Redbridge.
Legal framework
The Caring Dads Programme should be used as a specified activity alongside a
supervision requirement due to additional work that will be undertaken by the
offender manager; for example, liaising with social services if there are child
protection issues.
The intervention should be expressed as follows:
‘To participate in the Caring Dads programme for up to 60 days under the powers
of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 Section 201.’
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Specified Activity: Sexual Offending
Designed to be used by offenders who do not fit the suitability criteria for the
Community – Sexual Offending Group work Programme (C-SOGP).
Programme aims
•
To assist offenders develop an offence-free lifestyle
•
To enable them to make changes and develop goals for the future
•
To assist them to understand the reasons for their offending and the
consequences of their offending
•
To enhance skills and confidence to develop further skills
•
To gain three credits and a certificate from the Open College Network.
Offenders must be also assessed as having:
•
Some motivation to undertake the work.
Who is not suitable?
•
Men whose sexual offences are exclusively against their partner
•
Men who fit the suitability criteria for C-SOGP
•
Men who have committed internet sex offences only.
Legal framework
Sexual Offending is a Specified Activity Requirement as defined by section 201 of
the 2003 Criminal Justice Act. The activity is expressed in days up to a maximum
of 60 days. A supervision requirement is also desirable to reinforce and support
the work of the Specified Activity Requirement.
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Programme length
Days needed to complete activity: 60 days
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Specified Activity: Internet Sexual Offending
Designed to be used for offenders who have committed an internet sex offence
only.
Programme aims
•
To assist offenders develop an offence-free lifestyle
•
To enable them to make changes and develop goals for the future
•
To assist them understand the reasons for their offending and the
consequences of their offending
•
To enhance skills and confidence to develop further skills
•
To gain three credits and a certificate from the Open College Network.
Offenders must be also assessed as having:
•
Some motivation to undertake the work.
Who is not suitable?
•
Men who have committed or have been cautioned for other sex offences
•
Men who are assessed as high risk internet sex offenders.
What does the programme involve?
The manual contains a minimum of 13 structured exercises. They are a mixture
of offence-focused material and exercises designed to assist the offender identify
the changes he wishes to make in his life and strategies and tools to help him
implement those changes.
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Legal framework
Internet Sexual Offending is a Specified Activity Requirement as defined by
Section 201 of the 2003 Criminal Justice Act.
The activity is expressed in days
up to a maximum of 60 days. A Supervision Requirement is also desirable to
reinforce and support the work of the Specified Activity Requirement.
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Specified Activity: Restorative Justice
Programme aims
The Restorative Justice Specified Activity Requirement aims to enable offenders
to gain greater insight into the effect their offending have on their victims and
hence generates greater victim awareness, with the ultimate goal of reducing
reoffending by the individual. However, it is primarily an opportunity for victims to
gain a sense of what has happened to them, to be able to articulate their
thoughts, feelings and questions with the ultimate aim of their gaining healing
from their crime experience and as a result obtaining a sense of closure. The
SAR aims to enable victims and offenders to meet in a safe and structured setting
where the discussion outlined above can take place.
As a result of this meeting (the Restorative Justice Conference), agreements may
be made that allow the offender to make reparation for their offending.
Alternatively, or perhaps in addition, the meeting may set lifestyle goals (e.g. seek
and obtain employment) for the offender to pursue. The victim will be kept
informed of the offender’s progress pertaining to any agreements made at the RJ
conference.
It is essential that participation in RJ is undertaken by all parties on a voluntary
basis. Where the direct victim is unwilling to become involved, alternative work
with the offender will be undertaken that will increase his/her victim awareness
and this work will take the place of the RJ conference. This could include
meeting victims of other crimes who will share their stories of being a victim and
the damage their crime caused to them.
Target group
•
Perpetrators of offences of violence or burglary, where there is an
identified victim who has suffered as the result of the offence(s).
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•
Offenders aged over 18 who have pleaded guilty to, or have accepted
responsibility for their offending
•
Offenders must not be severely dependent on drugs/ alcohol or have
chronic untreatable mental health conditions that would prevent the RJ
Conference proceeding as planned
•
This SAR is not suitable for offenders who are in an ongoing relationship
with their victim, and so it should not generally be used for cases of
Domestic Violence, in close family disputes or gang related offending.
What does the programme involve?
Up to 12 sessions for the offender. The early sessions (typically three) prepare
the offender for the RJ conference and seek to develop the offender’s victim
awareness. The next session is the actual RJ conference. The remaining
sessions are used to reinforce the learning obtained from the conference, bolster
increased victim awareness and identify the progress the offender has made
concerning agreements made at the RJ conference.
Legal framework
During the requirement, the offender will be under the direct supervision of a
Responsible Officer (as defined by Section 197 Criminal Justice Act 2003). The
Responsible Officer will manage the requirement, and ensure that it is managed
in accordance with Probation National Standards. Where non-compliance
occurs, the Responsible Officer will ensure that the offender is returned to court
to respond to the alleged breach of the requirement.
An accompanying Supervision requirement is not essential as the RJ SAR is
aimed to be managed as a discrete standalone requirement. However, it is our
experience to date, that the additional support offered by supervision and a
Supervising Officer does benefit the offender’s response to the RJ requirement,
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as this provides further reinforcement to co-operate with the RJ SAR and to
achieve the agreements made at the RJ conference.
The intervention should be expressed as follows:
‘To participate in the Restorative Justice Specified Activity Requirement for up to
12 days under the powers of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 Section 201.’
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Appendix C: Programmes Available from London
Probation Trust
Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP).................................................. 73
Thinking Skills Programme ................................................................................. 75
Women’s Programme ......................................................................................... 77
Aggression Replacement Training (ART) ............................................................ 79
Community - Sexual Offending Group work Programme (C-SOGP).................... 81
Becoming New Me.............................................................................................. 83
Building Better Relationships (BBR) ................................................................... 85
Exit Programme .................................................................................................. 88
Steer Clear – Voluntary Drink Drive Rehabilitation Programme........................... 91
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Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP)
The programme is delivered in the context of a multi-agency approach to risk
management. It offers a new approach to the Integrated Domestic Abuse
Programme while covering the same material. IDAP is delivered mainly through
group work with some individual sessions. The model is a systemic approach to
domestic abuse, with group, individual, case management and victim contact
working together in an effort to secure the safety of victim and rehabilitation of
offenders. This necessarily includes work with external agencies as part of a
coordinated community response to domestic abuse.
Programme aims
For those men undertaking the IDAP programme, expected outcomes are that on
completion of the programme participants will be able to:
1. Take responsibility for their use of violent and abusive behaviour in their
relationships.
2. Identify the beliefs and intents that underpin their abusive and violent
behaviour.
3. Acknowledge the effects of their use of abusive and violent behaviour on
their partners and ex partners, children, others and themselves.
4. Take specific, positive steps to change their behaviour in relationships,
using IDAP skills and strategies for non-abusive behaviour learned on the
programme.
Who is suitable?
•
The target group is male offenders who:
•
Have been assessed as medium to high risk of relationship violence
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•
Have committed at least one act of violence against an intimate partner or
where there is concern that they have engaged in a course of conduct that
would be described as domestically abusive
•
Have basic literacy, language competency and comprehension skills
•
Are willing to sign a consent form which will include the sharing of relevant
information with the offender’s current or previous spouse/partner
•
Are assessed as suitable in a Pre Sentence Report.
Who is not suitable?
•
Female offenders (one-to-one work is available in such instances)
•
Offenders in same sex relationships (one-to-one work is available in
such instances)
•
Offenders with serious mental health problems
•
Offenders who are judged unable to meet the learning outcomes
because of, for example, severe drug dependency.
What does the programme involve?
•
Contact with the victim or current partner by a Women’s Safety Officer
•
Risk management through continual assessment and information
sharing with other agencies including the police
•
A rolling programme of 22 sessions – an orientation session
including three individual sessions and 18 group work sessions.
Programme length
Up to 40 days.
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Thinking Skills Programme
Programme aims
To teach problem-solving skills and apply these skills to offending behaviour, in
order to help offenders stop offending. Thinking Skills will help offenders identify
and manage their risk factors, to develop personally relevant strategies and to
achieve goals that support relapse prevention.
Who is suitable?
Male offenders who:
•
Pose a medium to high risk of reoffending
•
Are impulsive and/or rigid thinkers
•
Do not think through the consequences of their actions
•
Fail to consider the effects of their behaviour on victims or others
•
Are assessed as suitable in a Pre Sentence Report.
Who is not suitable?
•
People whose offending is not linked to poor cognitive skills
•
Offenders with serious mental health problems
•
Offenders who cannot learn in a group setting
•
Current sex offenders
•
Domestic violence offenders.
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What does the programme involve?
•
19 sessions in total, no pre-group work
•
Initial one-to-one session
•
Three modules (Self Control, Problem Solving and Positive Relationships)
each consisting of five group sessions and a single one-to-one session.
Group sessions focus on skills to change behaviour such as problem-solving,
anti-social attitudes, tackling pressures to offend, victim awareness, moral
reasoning, self-management and social interaction. These are then applied to
aspects of offending and situations in which they occur.
The Thinking Skills Programme works on a rolling basis so offenders can join a
group approximately every three to four weeks on one of the three modules.
When sentencing this requirement the individual Programme should not be
named. The requirement should be expressed as follows:
‘To participate in an Accredited Programme of up to 20 days.’
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Women’s Programme
Programme aims
To help women to change their behaviour, to reduce the risk of reoffending, and
to provide women with links to supportive community agencies
Who is suitable?
Women offenders:
•
Who have a current conviction for an offence of an acquisitive nature or
•
Where there is a pattern of previous offending motivated by financial
gain or
•
Where the current offence has an underlying motivation of an
acquisitive nature
•
Who have poor problem-solving skills
•
Who do not think through the consequences of their actions
•
Who are assessed as suitable for the programme in a Pre Sentence
Report.
Who is not suitable?
•
Women whose offending is not linked to poor cognitive skills
•
Women with serious mental health problems
•
Women who cannot learn in a group setting.
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What does the programme involve?
31 sessions of two-and-a-half hours each. Additional work will be needed for the
high risk women or those with greater need. The programme is based on
motivational interviewing techniques with an emphasis on emotional management
and building healthy relationships.
Programme length
Up to 32 days.
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Aggression Replacement Training (ART)
Programme aims
To reduce aggressive behaviour through teaching social skills, anger
management techniques and improved moral reasoning.
Who is suitable?
Offenders, both men and women, whose convictions are a consequence, at least
in part, of poor anger control leading to aggressive behaviour and that:
•
Pose a medium to high risk of reoffending
•
Have a conviction for assault, a public order offence or criminal damage
•
Have a current aggressive offence and an established pattern of violent or
aggressive behaviour
•
Are assessed as suitable for the programme in a Pre Sentence Report.
Who is not suitable?
•
Current sex offenders
•
Domestic violence offenders
•
Offenders who commit any form of instrumental violence such as robbery
or making threats to kill
•
Offenders with severe learning difficulties
•
People with severe mental health problems or suffering severe alcohol or
drug abuse.
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What does the programme involve?
•
Three structured individual pre-group sessions on risk assessment and
group preparation, plus a group orientation session.
•
18 group work sessions. These focus on reducing violent behaviour
through teaching social skills, anger management techniques and
improved moral reasoning.
Five post-programme individual, structured evaluation and relapse prevention
sessions.
Programme length
Up to 20 days.
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Community - Sexual Offending Groupwork Programme
(C-SOGP)
Programme aims
To reduce offending by adult male sex offenders.
Who is suitable?
•
Males over 21 years of age with an IQ above 80, convicted of any type of
sexual offence apart from those with sole convictions for making,
possessing or downloading indecent images of children who are also low
or medium risk. Those convicted solely of possession of extreme
pornography are unsuitable
•
Offenders who are assessed as suitable in a Pre Sentence Report.
•
An adapted programme, Becoming New Me, is available for offenders with
an I.Q. below 80.
Who is not suitable?
•
Female sexual offenders
•
Men with severe drug/alcohol misuse behaviour
•
Men with current mental health problems
•
Men assessed as psychopathic
•
Men who are antagonistic to undertaking treatment
•
Absolute deniers: for example, men who say they were not present at the
time of the offence.
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What does the programme involve?
•
A 50-hour Induction module. Depending upon further risk assessment,
some men assessed as low risk then go directly to a 37.5-hour Community
Better Lives and Relapse Prevention Programme.
•
Most men complete the Induction module, and depending upon further risk
assessment, then undertake relevant treatment modules. The five modules
are: Relationships and Attachment Styles, Self-Management and
Interpersonal Skills, The Role of Fantasy in Offending, Victim Empathy and
Community Better Lives and Relapse Prevention. The full programme
takes approximately 178 hours to complete.
Programme length
Up to 70 days.
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Becoming New Me
Programme aims
Becoming New Me is an accredited group programme specifically designed for
men convicted of sexual offences who are intellectually disabled with an I.Q.
between 65 and 80. It uses a range of methods to engage and treat offenders so
that they understand more about the risk factors that contributed to their
offending. Offenders participating in the programme learn and practice a range of
skills to manage their risk of reoffending and to improve their overall level of
social functioning.
The programme name reflects one of the models used on the programme; ‘Old
Me’ (thoughts, feelings and behaviour at the time of offending) and ‘New Me’
(pro-social thoughts, feelings and behaviour). The programme aims to
strengthen ‘New Me’ skills so that ‘Old Me’ can be better managed. Symbols,
drawings, active exercises such as skills practice and role play are used
throughout the programme and learning is broken down into small steps and
reinforced by frequent practice and repetition.
Suitability
In some cases at the point of sentencing there is information available about
whether an offender has an intellectual disability and meets the criteria for
Becoming New Me. In other cases this has to be assessed post sentence.
Provided the offender is considered suitable for a programme requirement to
attend an accredited sexual offending programme, the specific programme, either
the main Community Sexual Offending Group work Programme or Becoming
New Me can be determined post- sentence.
Availability
Becoming New Me is available in some prisons and a few probation trusts.
London Probation Trust introduced the programme in March 2013.
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What does the programme involve?
It runs twice weekly during the day in central London. A session lasts two-and-ahalf hours and it takes a group of eight men approximately 89 sessions to
complete the programme.
Legal framework
Programme Requirement
Supervision Requirement
The programme requirement should state to attend for up to 100 days and the
supervision requirement should be for a minimum of two years.
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Building Better Relationships (BBR)
Building Better Relationships (BBR) is a new provisionally accredited national
group-work programme which is being piloted in selected areas of London
instead of IDAP. BBR is designed to reduce re-offending by adult male offenders
convicted of intimate partner violence.
The programme has a strong theoretical base, taking into account recent
developments in thinking and research in relation to violence and aggression
within relationships.
Like IDAP, BBR requires cooperation between the agencies concerned with
domestic violence and prioritises the safety of women and children. It is delivered
within the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) and the MultiAgency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC). Women’s Safety Officers are
employed to contact the partners or ex-partners of men on the programme who
are victims of the index offence and provide them with advice and support.
Who is it suitable for?
BBR is intended for male perpetrators convicted of an intimate partner violence
related offence against a female partner and who present a moderate or higher
likelihood of committing future intimate partner violence offences assessed using
the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment.
Men whose index offence is not intimate partner violence-related can be referred
to BBR if they are also assessed as being high risk using the Spousal Assault
Risk Assessment and meet all other risk criteria.
Men in denial of their current offence can be referred if they have a history of
unconvicted or convicted intimate partner violence which they acknowledge and
is similar to the current offence.
There are general exclusions where a person has little or no English language
skills, if they refuse to undertake the programme or they have unstabilised mental
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illness or current acute substance misuse. Men can also be excluded if they
refuse to sign the Statement of Understanding or refuse to commit to the
Conditions of Success.
BBR can be a Requirement of a Community Order or Suspended Sentence
Order. It must be accompanied by a Supervision Requirement. As this is a
lengthy programme, a two-year order is strongly recommended. The wording of
the order should be ‘To attend the accredited intimate partner violence
programme, Building Better Relationships’.
What does the programme involve?
The programme consists of 29 sessions, comprised of 24 group sessions, two
pre programme one-to-one sessions with programme facilitators and three oneto-one review sessions.
The four BBR modules of the programme are:
•
Foundation Module
•
My Thinking
•
My Emotions
•
My Relationships.
It is intended that men will attend two group sessions each week.
How is attendance enforced?
Service users must attend all sessions. Unacceptable absences are dealt with
according to National Standards and may result in the service user being
returned to court or prison.
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Where is Building Better Relationships available?
Pilot BBR groups will initially be run at Camden House in north London and Great
Dover Street in south London.
Programme length
Up to 40 days.
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Exit Programme – An Intensive Alternative to Custody
for Young Adult Offenders Aged 18-25
What is the Exit Programme?
The Exit Programme is a Community Order which is managed on an intensive
basis. It will either be a Community Order or used as part of a Suspended
Sentence Order, which will comprise of a minimum of three court requirements.
The order is aimed at young men aged 18-25 years resident in Greenwich,
Hackney, Croydon and Lewisham who have committed offences that put
them at risk of custody or whose likelihood of reoffending is high.
The project aims to reduce offending behaviour and enable young people to:
•
Take more responsibility for their actions
•
Gain greater control over their lives
•
Work towards living independently without involvement in criminality.
Research of similar projects elsewhere in England and Wales have already
shown promising results in terms of improved compliance and reduced offending
amongst young adults who have successfully completed these orders.
What does the programme consist of?
The programme has a minimum of three mandatory requirements which must
include at least one punishment and one rehabilitation requirement.
Punishment
The young person will engage in activities, such as Intensive Unpaid Work,
Attendance Centre orders, which will serve as a real punishment and provide an
opportunity for the offender to make reparation to the community. Each offender
made subject to the programme will undertake a minimum of 15 hours of Unpaid
Work per week where Unpaid Work is one of the order requirements.
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Control
The young person’s liberty can be restricted by the use of a curfew requirement
where considered appropriate in reducing the likelihood of reoffending.
Rehabilitation
The young person will be made subject to a supervision requirement which will
include a constructive intervention to address their offending behaviour. This
could include a programme, a Specified Activity requirement and/ or referral to
community organisations aimed at promoting offender rehabilitation. All
offenders subject to the programme will be referred to agencies providing
specialist employment or skills training.
Trained mentors will be allocated on an individual basis to assist the offender by
supporting them to complete their Exit order. The conditions of the Exit
Programme will be tailored to the individual needs of the offender and will be
proposed in the Pre Sentence Report.
Who is eligible?
18-25 year old males who have committed offences that put them at substantial
risk of receiving a custodial sentence are eligible. Alternatively, young men of
this age group who have a high likelihood of reoffending or who present a high
risk of harm to others can also be assessed as suitable.
This programme is not suitable for female offenders, male offenders aged
26 or older or young adult men where custody is not a likely sentencing
disposal.
How are orders made?
The Offender Manager will assess an individual’s suitability to complete the Exit
programme. Where suitable, a recommendation for the specific requirements of
the community order / Suspended Sentence Order will be made in the pre-
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sentence report. In all cases mentoring arrangements will be provided from the
point of sentence.
Given the intensity of the programme there will be consistent robust monitoring of
compliance. Any non compliance will be addressed immediately with the case
being promptly returned to court for resentence.
Courts will be invited to hold review meetings for offenders subject to the Exit
Programme. Attendance from the offender at these meetings will be mandatory.
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Steer Clear – Voluntary Drink Drive Rehabilitation
Programme
Steer Clear is the brand name for London Probation Trust’s Drink Drive
Rehabilitation Course. It has been operational across London since 1998.
London Probation Trust is an approved provider by the Driving Standards
Agency. The Steer Clear course is a voluntary course available at a cost, to
offenders convicted of drink drive offences and must be offered to offenders as
part of the sentencing process. Access to a course after sentencing is not
possible.
In late 2011 the Driving Services Agency (DSA) opened up the Drink Drive
Rehabilitation Services market and requested expression of interest across
the16 UK regions. In response, in February 2012 LPT Steer Clear initiated a
process of negotiation with AA DriveTech with a view to developing an
approach to bid in this newly created market.
On 28 March 2013 AA, Drivetech/Steer Clear was awarded the contract by
the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to deliver services across the 16
regions of the UK and Scotland.
The course focuses on personal choice, the consequences of poor decision
making and how this may influence risk-taking behaviour and the potential for
reoffending. On successful completion and participation in an approved course,
the offender also gains up to 25% reduction in their licence ban.
Courses are delivered by experienced trainers in nine locations across London in
the daytime, evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. Course materials are available
in 18 languages including English and Welsh.
AA DriveTech/Steer Clear will be delivering courses across all 16 Driving
Standards Agency regions effective from June 2013.
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Who is suitable?
Department of Transport Rehabilitation Course Sect 34 RTA 1988 (DDR)
•
Any drink drive offender not deemed high-risk, voluntary attendance
•
High risk offenders can be ordered to complete a programme and given
the opportunity to reduce the disqualification period by referrals to drink
drive rehabilitation course such as Steer Clear.
Who is not suitable?
•
High risk offenders: 87.5+ in breath
•
Low risk offenders with aggravated circumstances, e.g. causing an
accident or additional offences
•
Those with a second conviction for a drink drive offence in a 10 year
period
•
Convicted offenders who fail to provide a specimen.
What does the programme involve?
The sessions are interactive, creating an environment where participants can
discuss all aspects of their convictions, including victim awareness, risk of
reoffending and relapse prevention. Drink diaries, medical facts, alcohol quizzes
and a range of materials for discussion increase the participants’ awareness of
their own drinking habits and attitude to road safety.
The course uses a blend of audio-visual aids, group work teaching, skills practice,
group discussions and individual work to:
Course Outcomes:
•
Improve participants’ knowledge of alcohol and units
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•
Understand the effects of alcohol on driving
•
Understand how the body reacts to alcohol
•
Develop strategies to avoid reoffending.
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Appendix D: Acronyms
You may come across the following acronyms in your work with London Probation
Trust:
ACO
Assistant Chief Officer
AP
Approved Premises
ART
Aggression Replacement Training
ATR
Alcohol Treatment Requirement
BASS
Bail Accommodation and Support Services
BBR
Building Better Relationships
CP
Community Payback
C-SOGP
Community Sex Offenders Group work Programme
DRR
Drug Rehabilitation Requirement
ETE
Education, Training and Employment
IDAP
Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme
LPT
London Probation Trust
MAPPA
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement
MoJ
Ministry of Justice
NOMS
National Offender Management Service
OASys
Offender Assessment System
OGRS
Offender Group Reconviction Scale
OM
Offender Manager
PLC
Probation Liaison Committee
PO
Probation Officer
PSO
Probation Service Officer
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PSR
Pre Sentence Report
RiC
Remand in Custody
RoH
Risk of Harm
SAC
Senior Attendance Centre
SC
Sentencing Council – successor to the Sentencing Guidelines Council
(SGC)
SSO
Suspended Sentence Order
SSAM
Structured Supervision for Anger Management
SSP
Structured Supervision Programme
SSW
Structured Supervision for Women
UPW
Unpaid Work
VLO
Victim Liaison Officer
VLS
Victim Liaison Service
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Appendix E: Communication with London Probation
Trust
London Probation Trust is continually seeking to improve its communication with
sentencers in order to build confidence in our ability to deliver and enforce
rigorous and robust community penalties. Our sentencer communication strategy
encompasses various activities including seminars, DVDs, training events and
written publicity. Various regular activities are outlined below:
Information for Sentencers’ Newsletter
Produced regularly with the aim of keeping all sentencers updated on the latest
news and developments from London Probation Trust. These are produced
electronically and sent to sentencers via the court.
Probation and Courts Forum
This quarterly meeting at London Probation Trust’s headquarters is an
opportunity for probation staff and sentencers to discuss topical issues.
Membership of the forum is by invitation only, however, if you wish to find out
more about the Probation and Courts Forum please contact us using the details
at the back of this booklet.
Probation Liaison Committees
Each bench has a Probation Liaison Committee as a means to effective
communication between sentencers and probation staff. Please check with your
local bench chairman or legal team manager for more information on the
Probation Liaison Committee in your court.
London Probation Trust Sentencer Seminars
London Probation Trust holds various annual events for each sentencer group.
They provide an update on recent activity within Probation; as well as covering
several topics of interest to promote key messages to sentencers.
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Sentencers’ Marketplace
Held annually, the popular Sentencers’ Marketplace is an opportunity to find out
about the work of London Probation Trust and partners. The event features
topical and interactive briefing sessions and information stalls, and opportunities
to network with colleagues.
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Visits to London Probation Trust
At London Probation Trust we feel that in order for sentencers to understand our
recommendations, it is important that they have an overview of what Probation
does.
We offer a range of visits and workshops throughout the year for
sentencers to attend.
These include induction visits for new sentencers – we offer all new sentencers
on commencement of their role the opportunity to visit their local Probation Office
and meet with the Court Probation staff.
If you are interested in finding out more about visits in your local area
please speak to your Court Senior Probation Officer or email:
[email protected].
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Contact Details
For queries regarding specific cases or probation matters at your court, please
contact your local Court Senior Probation Officer directly.
Head office address:
151 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 9SZ
Tel: 0300 048 0000
Fax: 0300 048 0297
Email
If you have any general queries, comments or feedback on our work please email
our dedicated account: [email protected]
Online
Information for sentencers is regularly posted on our website, including contact
numbers for all probation offices based in courts in London.
www.london-probation.org.uk/Information for Sentencers
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