To do that, GOL is working with the prison and probation services, Metropolitan police, Greater London Authority (GLA) and a range of other bodies and service providers, to produce a resettlement strategy for the city.
The aim of this document is to help ex-offenders fit back into the community and minimise the chances of them re-offending.
Cathy Francis, head of GOL’s youth and policy development team, said:
“This isn’t just a problem in London. Nationally, the Home Office has required all regions to develop a plan. “We need to do something about the re-offending rates, to improve community safety and bring down crime.”
The strategy, which has just been finished, focuses on eight aspects that affect each offender’s likelihood of re-offending:
- Case management from end to end
- Accommodation
- Education, training and employment
- Finance, debt and benefit
- Mental and physical health, including alcohol
- Drugs
- Children and families
- Programmes for offenders.
The challenge for everyone, from the prisons to the GLA, is to meet all of the needs of offenders, to give them the best chance possible of reintegrating into the community at the end of their sentence.
The strategy also sets out specific actions for prolific and priority offenders.
It will be piloted in Wormwood Scrubs this year and Holloway in 2006 and then rolled out across the capital’s jails by 2008.
Liz Meek, GOL Regional Director, said:
“I’m proud of the huge amount of work everyone inside and outside GOL has put into the new Resettlement Strategy. It will make a real difference to the successful reintegration of offenders back into the community and benefit London as whole.”
More information contact Holly Guest 020 7217 3265
Image: Wormwood Scrubs : courtesy of HM Prison Service
