Shrt-term Sentence Prisners in all NOMS C-Financing Organisatin regins. 1. Cntext The verall aim f the Natinal Offender Management Service C-Financing Organisatin (NOMS CFO) prgramme is t imprve ffender educatin, training & emplyment pprtunities and increase access t existing resettlement prvisin. Rather than deliver educatin and training prgrammes directly, the NOMS CFO Prgramme is designed t mtivate participants and remve barriers that prevent them frm prgressing int mainstream prvisin delivered by ther agencies such as Jbcentre Plus emplyment services, Offenders Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) funded prvisin r further educatin/training. Nt all these services are directed specifically at ffenders and NOMS CFO links int services in prisn/cmmunity fr ffenders and thse available t everyne. Effective engagement with ffenders in custdy r in the cmmunity will als mre adequately prepare them fr emplyment, training, educatin and ther mainstream activities. The prvisin f NOMS CFO enhances existing activity within prisns and the cmmunity by identifying the gaps in delivery fr the harder t help grups, which includes prisners serving shrt term sentences. NOMS CFO aims t cmplement existing CFO activity by bridging the service gaps experienced by ffenders. Shrt-term sentence prisners are defined, by the Eurpean Scial Fund (ESF) fr the current NOMS CFO prgramme, as ffenders sentenced t 12 mnths imprisnment r less. They pse a cmplex and challenging grup t wrk with fr a number f reasns; the mst critical f which being a general lack f available supprt. At the time that this reprt was cnducted, the Transfrming Rehabilitatin prgramme was phasing in statutry supervisin and rehabilitatin fr this chrt grup. Previusly, there was n mandatry supervisin fr this chrt which meant that, up until nw, they were a mstly invisible grup whse needs and barriers t emplyment were being missed and were at an increased risk f reffending. Nw, under the new Transfrming Rehabilitatin changes which are currently being implemented, prisners serving 12 mnths and less will be supprted in the cmmunity. Hwever, as this has nly just begun t be phased in, the NOMS CFO 2011-2014 prgramme presents an established, grunded pprtunity f supprt and guidance fr shrt-term sentence prisners. Any prvisin that is ffered t this grup can nly be beneficial as it wuld give them the chance t address their persnal barriers, allwing them t mve clser t educatin, training r emplyment and reducing the risk f reffending. As such, it was written in t all CFO regin cntracts that prisners serving 12 mnth sentences were a pririty grup that must be wrked with (hwever, it shuld be nted that this is nt applicable t the CFO regin f Crnwall as there are n prisns lcated in the area). Page 1 f 12
The main findings f the reprt will fcus n answering the fllwing key research aims: i. T explre the prvisin ffered fr this grup by the regins within the NOMS C- Financing prgramme t demnstrate examples f gd practice, identify the areas fr develpment and utline the lessns learned. ii. T highlight the assciated resettlement needs, hw they have been addressed by the Prviders and what ther additinal help is ffered t this grup lking at activities carried ut and utcmes achieved. 2. Apprach The purpse f the current reprt is t utline and assess the supprt ffered by all CFO regins t shrt-term sentence prisner participants. In rder t effectively answer the set research aims, tw types f methdlgy were adpted; qualitative results supprted that were supprted by quantitative statistics. Qualitative data was surced frm the results f a survey that was cnducted t acquire the views and experience f CFO Prvider staff and their sub-cntracted rganisatins. Quantitative data was taken frm the Case Assessment and Tracking System (CATS) applicatin, a sftware prgram used by delivery staff t mnitr participant prgress, in rder t prvide the latest statistics n participant numbers, their identified needs and the assciated utcmes achieved. The figures were then assessed fr statistical significance using Pearsn s Chi-Squared with Yates Crrectin fr Cntinuity. By utilising these methds, it is anticipated that a cmprehensive answer can be prvided fr bth research aims. Qualitative Qualitative data was gathered thrugh the use f a survey distributed t Prvider and subcntractr staff acrss all NOMS CFO regins. The purpse f the survey was t gather infrmatin relating t the experiences f Prvider and sub-cntractr delivery staff wh have wrked with this chrt grup; examining the barriers that they have fund t be specific t this grup, the apprach taken by delivery staff and the wrk cnducted with participants t address barriers. The survey was created using SurveyMnkey, an nline survey sftware tl, then distributed t all Prviders with the instructin t supply the survey link t delivery staff and sub-cntractrs wh wrk with r have experience f wrking with shrt-term sentence prisners. The survey was annymus and n fllw up crrespndence was cnducted. In ttal, staff were asked 9 questins (see appendix A) relating t the supprt ffered t and the wrk carried ut with shrt-term sentence prisners; the majrity f questins were pen-ended t acquire an in-depth pinin and detailed experience. Quantitative The surce f the quantitative data used in the reprt was the CATS applicatin. It enabled a detailed analysis t be cnducted f the demgraphics, needs and utcmes f shrt-term sentence prisners. Using the CATS data, an analysis f needs was perfrmed, cmparing the resettlement data f shrt-term sentence participants natinally cmpared t that f cmmunity starter participants and ffenders sentenced t ver 12 mnths. The data in the current reprts excludes the CFO regin f Crnwall as there are n prisns lcated in the area. The figures were then assessed fr statistical significance using Pearsn s Chi- Page 2 f 12
Squared with Yates Crrectin fr Cntinuity. By utilising these methds, it is anticipated that a cmprehensive answer can be prvided fr bth f the set research aims. 3. Results This reprt serves as an effective feedback mechanism t the Prviders, NOMS and ESF that explres the delivery f the prvisin and the impact n participants. The central issue f this reprt is t determine whether the prjects are cntributing t the change that they was designed t make, and t examine thse aspects f the prject that are cntributing t r hampering its success; d these lie in the design r the implementatin prcess. This sectin prvides the results f the evaluatin t date by answering the fllwing tw research aims:- T explre the prvisin ffered fr this grup by the regins within the NOMS C- Financing prgramme t demnstrate examples f gd practice, identify the areas fr develpment and utline the lessns learned. T highlight the assciated resettlement needs, hw they have been addressed by the Prviders and what ther additinal help is ffered t this grup lking at activities carried ut and utcmes achieved. The fllwing results described are written with the purpse f answering the first research aim: t explre the prvisin ffered fr this grup by the regins within the NOMS C- Financing prgramme t demnstrate examples f gd practice, identify the areas fr develpment and utline the lessns learned. Engagement and an hnest, genuine apprach Respndents expressed hw the greatest difficulty, with regards t wrking with shrt-term sentence prisners, is the unpredictable nature that they exhibit. Mre applicable t cmmunity settings, participants can be extremely vlatile in their engagement with CFO supprt. Staff frm bth Prime Prviders and sub-cntracted rganisatins described hw, especially when in the cmmunity, participants can becme easily distracted r can quickly fall back in t ld habits. This grup was depicted as chatic and erratic ften with a number f cmplex barriers. It was als cmmented hw a prtin f shrt-term sentence prisners are repeat ffenders wh are frequently in and ut f prisn; wh are, cnsequently, nt receiving the supprt that they need t break ut f that cycle. One remark that was made described tw types f shrt-term sentence prisner, thse wh are first time ffenders that prgress very well and thse wh are habitual ffenders wh are entrenched in that lifestyle. As such, in relatin t thse wh are frequent ffenders, engagement with prvisin tends t fluctuate dramatically with many lsing interest nce they are returned t their ld lifestyle. Delivery staff explained hw the transitin between custdy and cmmunity is vital in this regard and that having a strng, psitive relatinship with the participant helps keep the supprt linked up during this prcess which has helped t sustain engagement. Delivery staff wrking with shrt-term sentence prisner participants have fund that having a strng, prfessinal relatinship with participants, demnstrating understanding and hnesty, has wrked well with regard t mtivating and engaging them. Case Wrkers and Page 3 f 12
ther delivery staff discussed hw treating the participant as an individual, listening t their needs and being hnest and realistic abut supprt needed has resulted in better levels f engagement. It was als explained hw having prvisin that is flexible is an asset as it can adapt t the chatic nature f the chrt. Many cmmented hw psitive reinfrcement and encuragement is als excellent fr bsting mtivatin and cnfidence, establishing a rapprt with the participant and building a strng, wrking relatinship with them. This, in turn, als demnstrates a genuine care and interest in the participant s welfare, ensuring that they feel that they are being listened t and that their needs are being addressed apprpriately. Delivery staff als discussed hw participants are encuraged t direct the supprt themselves, in rder that they feel they are nt being pressured in t cmmitting t anything and jepardising engagement. Althugh this chrt are extremely erratic in their engagement, by adpting this apprach t wrking participants, CFO delivery staff express a wider cmpassin; shwing participants that they are sympathetic and understanding f their welfare and circumstances. The resulting effect is that participants are mre respnsive and mre willing t explre prvisin. Lack f general supprt and a cntinuus, hlistic service Anther cmmnly reprted issue with this chrt was in regard t the previus lack f statutry supervisin. Respndents explained that the lack f previus cmmunity supervisin meant that wrking with shrt-term sentence prisner participants was made yet increasingly mre difficult. The lack f mandatry supervisin meant that, n release, shrtterm sentence prisners are essentially returned back in t the situatin and circumstances they riginally were in when they ffended. As a result, as many respndents nted, individuals in this chrt grup tend t be frequently in and ut f prisn and as they receive n statutry supprt after release, they are stuck in that cycle. The cnclusin was that participant engagement has suffered as a cnsequence f the lack f supervisin; that shrtterm sentence prisner participants d nt engage as well as ther ffender grups that cmmunity are respnsible fr. Mre recently, changes under the Transfrming Rehabilitatin prgramme nw means that shrt-term sentence prisners will nw receive statutry supervisin; these changes are nw currently being implemented. Hwever, it has meant that, until this pint, CFO prvisin has been ne f few viable resettlement ptins fr shrt-term sentence prisners. Delivery staff have, therefre, ensured t maximise the amunt f supprt that shrt-term sentence prisner participants can access. CFO delivery staff have strived t ffer a cmplete, hlistic service that can address any need that a participant present with; ne cntinuus experience frm custdy t cmmunity fr as lng as the participant requires. Delivery staff stated that being able t ffer a cntinuus, hlistic supprt netwrk t shrtterm sentence prisners has wrked well as it has meant that participants have access t a range f services t address any emplyability and resettlement barriers as well as numerus pprtunities t enter educatin, training r emplyment. It was cmmented hw being able t link in and liaise with ther rganisatins, in rder t augment the supprt available t shrt-term sentence prisner participants, has been extremely beneficial. The effrts made by CFO Prviders and their sub-cntractrs has meant that a vast netwrk, cnsisting f varius specialist supprt rganisatins, has been established; a netwrk that will cntinue t grw and prvide vital help t a wide variety f ffenders. Delivery staff described a number f examples where participants have been intrduced t utside Page 4 f 12
rganisatins t receive specific r specialist supprt, such as linking in with the Jb Centre fr help with btaining financial help. The hlistic supprt service that is initially ffered t participants whilst they are in custdy als assists in the transitin in t cmmunity. Delivery staff can wrk with participants t identify their mst pressing needs and arrange the necessary appintments s that they have the best chance f regaining stability nce they leave prisn. Respndents cmmented hw a cntinuus, wrap-arund service ffers the participant the chance t rganise their life in small steps; it gives this chatic chrt a semblance f structure by breaking dwn their needs in t manageable tasks and then recruiting the help, if necessary, f the relevant rganisatin t prvide the intense supprt needed. By supplying a cnsistent, cmprehensive supprt service, CFO delivery staff can address a multitude f resettlement barriers in a timely manner, ensuring that participants can receive specialist supprt frm a range f partner rganisatins and allwing this chatic ffender grup t regain cntrl f their lives. Thrugh-the-Gate A methd f engaging participants that delivery staff have fund t wrk well is Thugh-the- Gate supprt r having elements f such in place t supprt participants during release frm prisn and the subsequent struggle f re-adjusting t a nn-regimented lifestyle. Having a familiar face and a cntinuus pint f cntact has meant that participants have a persn that they can talk t abut anxieties r prblems; it facilitates a smther transitin fr the participant as they have smene wh can meet with them and make arrangements n their behalf. Thrugh-the-Gate prvisin als ensures that supprt fr participants is nt brken during the transitin; fr example, meetings and appintments can be arranged fr after the participant is released t allw fr the cntinuatin f supprt and means that there are actins in place t build upn what has already been cnducted. Respndents cmmented n hw Thrugh-the-Gate has been an extremely valuable resurce when engaging with shrt-term sentence prisner participants. Sme Prviders have als utilised mentrs in this capacity as they have mre freedm t meet with participants r can meet them at the gate if necessary. Delivery staff have had psitive results frm establishing elements f Thrughthe-Gate prvisin; it has prmted a sense f familiarity fr participants, meaning that the supprt that is necessary fr participants t regain stability in their lives is nt disrupted during the transitin frm custdy t cmmunity. Time restrictin and meaningful interventins The mst cmmnly discussed lessn learnt frm delivery staff wh wrk with shrt-term sentence prisners is the sheer limited time frame t wrk with a participant; which, n the majrity f cases, is nt lng enugh t cver all the supprt that is required. Respndents explained hw participants may nly have weeks left t serve f their sentence, which restricts the amunt f wrk that can be cnducted and therefre nt all the resettlement barriers may be addressed r essential supprt is nt r nly partially supplied. Hwever, a cnsiderable prtin f respndents cmmented hw participants are usually mre enthusiastic abut engaging with supprt whilst in prisn cmpared t when they are in the cmmunity; meaning it is mre preferable t wrk with them when they are in prisn. As a result f the restricted time frame, the supprt wrk ffered is mre shrt-term rientated, fcusing n helping participants with the mst immediate needs as well as als supplying the mandatry educatin, training and emplyment help. Despite the difficulty, delivery staff have Page 5 f 12
managed t adapt t the restrictin by wrking clsely with participants t develp a defined, detailed actin plan fr their release and t ffer meaningful supprt within the alltted time frame. The cnsensus frm delivery staff was that, in rder t effectively supprt shrt-term sentence prisners within such a restricted time perid, any interventin shuld be ffered with the purpse f preparatin fr release; develping an actin plan that can be started in custdy and cntinue after the participant is released frm prisn. Any agreed interventins shuld as meaningful as pssible, reflecting the participant s situatin, immediate needs and the remaining time. It was suggested that, fr thse participants wh have very shrt sentences in particular, a pre-release package f supprt shuld be develped; s that they can receive sme intensive supprt within that small timeframe. Respndents utlined sme f the current methds they use, including using shrt-term actins as a way t increase mtivatin and engagement and lng-term gals t establish a rapprt with the participant. Different delivery staff frm each regin ffered examples f shrt-term wrk cnducted with participants; actins such as wrking with a participant t surce suitable husing, explaining the financial supprt that they are entitled t and setting up specialist supprt if required. Respndents discussed hw ffering a supprt service that is flexible, hnest and des nt apply pressure t the participant has been effective when wrking with this grup; explaining hw, frm experience, participants have respnded well t this apprach and it has resulted in increased engagement during custdy and sustained engagement after release. Extraneus issues Many respndents utlined sme f the extraneus issues that they have experienced that has hampered delivery f prvisin t this chrt. Primarily, delivery staff discussed the issue f prisn transfers and the subsequent impact it has n the participant. The ptential f having a participant being relcated t anther establishments was indicated as a significant threat due t the frequent nature f transfers and immediacy f which it culd happen. Transfers greatly disrupt the supply f prvisin t the participant, especially s if the transfer happens quickly; it means that there is little time t prepare any cntinuatin f supprt in the establishment they are being transferred t. One respndent cmmented hw it can be especially difficult t engage a shrt-term sentence prisner participant if they have been transferred frm anther prisn. Thugh, transfers are ne a few external prblems that delivery staff have encunter. Other staff described mre extraneus issues they had experienced which had negatively affected supprt. Sme f the additinal prblems faced included cnflicts with the prisn, clashing f varius frms f supprt and interference by utside agencies. When in the cmmunity, participants can be easily influenced by family, friends and assciates which changes their pririties; cnceivably resulting in the participant being tempted back in t their frmer lifestyle. Even thugh these issues have hampered the supply f prvisin, CFO delivery staff endeavur t ensure that the damage is minimised r mitigated and that a suitable and apprpriate slutin is prvided when a prblem ccurs; even when the issue is ut f their cntrl. The next set f results are written with the purpse f answering the secnd research aim: T highlight the assciated resettlement needs, hw they have been addressed by the Prviders and what ther additinal help is ffered t this grup lking at activities carried ut and utcmes achieved. Page 6 f 12
The belw table shws the identified resettlement needs f shrt-term sentence prisner participants, natinally acrss the entire CFO prgramme, cmpared t that f participants started in the cmmunity (excluding the CFO regin f Crnwall). Data included bth male and female participants acrss all age grups. The belw statistics and all fllwing statistics are accurate as f December 2014. As f December 2014, there have been a ttal f 9,641 shrt-term sentence prisners that have been engaged with n the NOMS CFO prgramme. Shrt-term Sentence Prisners Cmmunity Starters (n = 55,661) (n = 9,641) Resettlement Need Has Need N Need Percentage with Need Has Need N Need Percentage with Need Alchl 2,754 6,887 29% 14,490 41,171 26% Attitude & Life Skills 7,957 1,684 83% 41,977 13,684 75% Drugs 3,722 5,919 39% 16,383 39,278 29% Educatin 8,519 1,122 88% 48,885 6,776 88% Emplyment & Training 9,641 0 100% 55,661 0 100% Financial Status 3,910 5,731 41% 22,223 33,438 40% Health 2,824 6,817 29% 15,119 40,452 27% Husing 3,858 5,783 40% 15,489 40,172 28% Relatinships 2,335 7,306 24% 11,626 44,035 21% As the abve table demnstrates, shrt-term sentence prisners have the greater percentage f resettlement needs. The highest resettlement needs are that f Educatin, Financial Status and Husing as well as the mandatry Emplyment requirement. It was cmmented by a number f respndents that this chrt has a seemingly frequent issue with husing in particular. Using Pearsn s Chi-Square significance test with Yate s Crrectin fr Cntinuity it was fund that there were significant differences in the majrity f resettlement needs; all but Educatin, Emplyment & Training and Financial Status. It means that shrtterm sentence prisners are mre likely t suffer frm these resettlement issues. This supprts the pinin that shrt-term sentence prisners are a challenging chrt with a cmplex mix f needs requiring intensive and specialist supprt. A secnd analysis, cmparing the resettlement needs f shrt-term sentence prisners cmpared t that f ver 12 mnths sentenced prisners, was als cnducted in rder t determine whether r nt there are any significant differences between these tw grups. Page 7 f 12
Shrt-term Sentence Prisners (n = 9,641) Over 12 mnths Sentenced Prisners (n = 15,900) Resettlement Need Has Need N Need Percentage with Need Has Need N Need Percentage with Need Alchl 2,754 6,887 29% 3,830 12,070 24% Attitude & Life Skills 7,957 1,684 83% 13,121 2779 83% Drugs 3,722 5,919 39% 5,697 10,203 36% Educatin 8,519 1,122 88% 14,081 1,819 89% Emplyment & Training 9,641 0 100% 15,900 0 100% Financial Status 3,910 5,731 41% 5,033 10,867 32% Health 2,824 6,817 29% 3,622 12,278 23% Husing 3,858 5,783 40% 6,078 9,822 38% Relatinships 2,335 7,306 24% 2,803 13,907 18% As the table abve demnstrates, again shrt-term sentence prisners have the greater need requirement fr the majrity f resettlement issues. Using Pearsn s Chi-Square significance test with Yate s Crrectin fr Cntinuity it was fund that there were significant differences fr all but three f the resettlement needs; in this instance, Attitude and Life Skills, Emplyment & Training and Educatin. Again, shrt-term sentence prisners are mre likely t present with the remaining resettlement needs further cementing the argument that this is a difficult chrt t wrk with; respndents claimed that they can be very chatic and have high need requirement. The fllwing results discuss what supprt CFO Prviders are ffering shrt-term sentence prisner participants in rder t address their resettlement barriers. A lack f basic skills It was discussed hw ne f the mst prminent barriers fr this chrt grup was a lack f basic life skills and educatinal attainment; fr example, pr literacy and numeracy skills. A cuple f respndents nted that, ften they find that shrt-term sentence prisner participants did nt cmplete frmal schl educatin, either due t drpping ut r being expelled; as such, they lack any frmal qualificatins t which further adds t the difficulty f gaining emplyment. Cmments described that shrt-term sentence prisners have limited access t educatinal pprtunities and fr thse that d acquire it, there is the chance that they will nt finish it due t their sentence ending. CFO delivery staff emply a variety f techniques t help participants gain the basic skills that they are lacking. Staff ffer ne-tne intensive supprt fr addressing barriers such as a deficit f literacy and numeracy skills. If necessary, they will surce intrductry curses fr participants which can be ffered independently, t supplement what participants learn in ne-t-ne sessin r in preparatin fr when participants are released frm prisn. Delivery staff will als advise participants in basic, everyday life skills; such as, wrking with a participant s that they understand public transprt r that they can understand a map. Sme CFO Prviders emply the use f mentrs fr addressing these resettlement needs t as they can als prvide the intensive Page 8 f 12
ne-t-ne supprt necessary but can be mre flexible in hw they wrk with a participant. CFO Prviders and sub-cntractrs have gained 4,285 utcmes cvering a range f skill grups; including educatin/training (375 utcmes gained), mentring, life skills, persn skills, functinal skills and cmmunicatin skills. Fr participants, develpment f these skills shw small, yet vital prgressin which serves t sustain engagement as well as imprve their emplyability and verall welfare. These small steps are the fundatin n which CFO delivery staff steadily build upn t effectively supprt participants whilst they are in prisn and then can subsequently be cntinued after release. A lack f emplyability CFO delivery staff explained that anther barrier fr shrt-term sentence prisners seems t be an inherent lack f emplyability skills. Respndents cmmented that participants ften have minimal r n previus wrk histry, d nt knw hw t apprpriately disclse their ffence and struggle t identify their transferable skills. Staff have als fund that participants either d nt have a C.V., r if they d it is bslete and they find interview situatins difficult. In rder t address emplyability issues, all CFO Prviders ffer a series f interventins fr participants. Respndents prvided numerus examples f emplyability supprt that participants can access depending n their need. CFO Prvider and sub-cntractr staff will aid participants in the develpment f a C.V., assist in identifying suitable jb pprtunities, help cmplete applicatins, cnduct mck interviews with feedback and advise in apprpriate disclsure techniques. Supprt is tailred accrding t what the participants wants as well as requires and delivery can be in a ne-t-ne r grup setting. Over the duratin f the prgramme thus far, Prviders and their assciated sub-cntractrs have gained 8,334 utcmes relating t emplyability aspects. These include bth hard utcmes fr entering a frm f emplyment and sft utcmes that are the necessary steps frward t emplyment. The hard utcmes achieved included participants successfully mving in t either full-time, part-time, self r vluntary emplyment 444 in ttal. The sft utcmes achieved cvered a range f emplyability supprt including disclsure advice, C.V preparatin and prductin, interview skills, jb search and emplyment tasters. CFO Prviders supply a cmprehensive emplyability supprt package t participants which ensures that any and all emplymentrelated needs can be effectively addressed. Mtivatin and Persnal Develpment Anther service that CFO Prviders and sub-cntractrs ffer is supprt with mtivatin and bsting cnfidence. As mtivatin amng this chrt can fluctuate greatly, CFO delivery staff utilise mtivatinal techniques when wrking with a participant, t keep them fcused n the tasks that they have set themselves. Sme CFO Prviders even ffer dedicated mtivatinal curses that participants can be placed n if they have particularly pr levels. CFO staff will als emply cnfidence bsting techniques t ensure that participants d nt becme disaffected as a cnsequence f the barriers they have. It was discussed hw participants will be set small tasks t cmplete regularly in rder t build up their cnfidence s that they may attempt smething mre challenging r that requires greater cmmitment. Delivery staff always assure participants that their ffence is nt an insurmuntable barrier and that there are varius ptins that are still available t them. Cnfidence and self-esteem building is especially pertinent when wrking with female ffenders as was nted by delivery staff wh wrk with them. The Persnal Develpment aspect is especially crucial as ften Page 9 f 12
female ffenders have very lw self-wrth and cnfidence which hampers their engagement; the persnal develpment supprt ffered instils self-belief in these wmen, empwering them t make the changes necessary t better their lives. 4. Cnclusin In cnclusin, shrt-term sentence prisners are an extremely challenging grup t wrk with fr a multitude f reasns. Their seemingly inherent chatic nature cmbined with a previus lack f general supprt has meant that the majrity f these individuals have accumulated a cmparably lng sentence due t frequent re-ffending and several instances f imprisnment. Respndents discussed hw wrking with the grup can be particularly arduus. When a participant is in custdy, they are ptentially mre likely t engage but due t the shrt sentence length r the threat f transfers, usually time t wrk with them is limited. When they are in the cmmunity, their mtivatin can diminish quickly and they can be easily distracted by family and assciates. Despite this, CFO Prviders have strived t ffer a service that can adapt t their chatic nature and yet still prvide them with the vital resettlement supprt that they require. CFO Prviders have develped a vast supprt netwrk that participants can access t receive supprt with life skills, imprving emplyability and even specialist prvisin fr issues like addictin. Prvisin is flexible in rder t adapt t the chrt s chatic tendencies and is directed by the participant s they d nt feel pressured in t accepting supprt if they d nt wish it; smething that can be detrimental t engagement. Delivery staff are pen and hnest in their apprach t wrking with participants, ffering psitive reinfrcement t bst mtivatin and cnfidence. Thrugh-the-Gate has been emphasised as an invaluable asset that has aided participants during the transitin frm custdy t cmmunity, making the prcess as smth as pssible and ensuring that the supprt is cntinuus. CFO Prviders have endeavured t supply a cntinuus, hlistic service t this erratic chrt, ffering a defined, viable pprtunity f resettlement supprt where previusly there was hardly any. Prviders and their assciated sub-cntractrs have dne excellently t develp a service that can effectively meet this chrt s varied needs and yet adapt t their chatic nature. 5. Recmmendatins Shrt-term sentence prisners are an extremely challenging grup t wrk with fr numerus reasns; the main issue being their vlatile, incnsistent nature that means their mtivatin can wane quickly. If a prject f this nature was t be cnducted again, the fllwing recmmendatins are made with reference t design and delivery: Having an pen, hnest and friendly apprach t wrking with participants was fund t be beneficial in facilitating engagement in participants. Demnstrating genuine interest in their circumstances and welfare meant that participants feel they are being listened t. Prvisin shuld als deliver what has been planned between staff and participant t reinfrce this. Prvisin shuld be flexible and able t adapt t the participant s situatin as this ffender grup can be very erratic. Participants shuld als nt be pressured in t supprt ffered; instead they shuld be given the pprtunity t direct it themselves as CFO Prviders ffer. Page 10 f 12
As the length f time wrking with a participant can ptentially be very limited, planned supprt and actins shuld be realistic and meaningful within the alltted time. The amunt f supprt ffered t shuld be maximised within the available time as CFO Prviders strived fr. Fr thse participants wh are n very shrt sentences and therefre have very limited time, it was recmmended that a pre-release package f supprt is develped. Having such an ptin wuld mean that even thse n very shrt sentences have the pprtunity t access help and guidance in preparatin fr release. It was emphasised by delivery staff that Thrugh-the-Gate is crucial t effectively supprting shrt-term sentence prisners; ensuring that supprt frm custdy t cmmunity is cnsistent and nt brken in any way. Similar prvisin shuld cntain an element f this; whether it be a cnsistent Case Wrker r a mentr wh can supprt them thrugh the prcess. Prvisin shuld ideally be a cntinuus, cnsistent service as far is pssible. It shuld be hlistic, ffering access t a range f supprt netwrks that can address specialist requirements as well as basic life skills and emplyability interventins. Breaks in prvisin jepardise a participant s mtivatin, s in respect t transferring frm custdy t cmmunity, the prcess shuld be seamless with the necessary arrangements made. Page 11 f 12
6. Appendices Appendix A 1. D yu have Shrt-term Sentence Prisners (defined as prisners sentenced t a year r less) n yur caselad r have yu wrked with any as part f the current NOMS CFO prgramme? Yes N 2. Hw frequently d yu wrk with this ffender grup? Very frequently Frequently Infrequently Rarely Hardly at all 3. Hw are shrt-term sentence prisner participants surced? 4. What experiences have yu had wrking with this ffender grup? Can yu remember any specific examples? 5. What have yu fund t be the prminent barriers fr shrt-term sentence ffenders? 6. What supprt d yu ffer shrt-term sentence prisners? D yu ffer any cre wrk? 7. Have yu fund anything that wrks particularly well fr this grup? 8. Have yu encuntered any prblems specific t this grup? 9. What apprach d yu think wrks best fr shrt-term sentence prisners? Page 12 f 12