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Probation Bench GuideInformation for Sentencers in Staffordshire and West Midlands
July 2011
About this Guide ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
About this Guide
ThisguideisdesignedtogivemagistratessummaryinformationabouttheservicesofferedbyStaffordshireandWestMidlands(SWM)ProbationTrust,inrelationtothesentencesavailableundertheCriminalJusticeAct2003.Itdoesnot,however,coverprovisionfortheunder18s.
This guide does not purport to be an authoritative guide to the law but represents the views of SWM Probation Trust. It does not seek to replace detailed guidance from the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) and your legal adviser.
Section contents
1 Pre-Sentence Report
2 The Community Order and its Requirements - UnpaidWork - Activity - Programme - ProhibitedActivity - Curfew - Exclusion - Residence - MentalHealthTreatment - DrugRehabilitation - AlcoholTreatment - Supervision - AttendanceCentre - TheIntensiveCommunityControlProgramme
3 Suspended Sentence Order
4 Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS)
5 Programmes
Section 1 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Pre-Sentence Report (PSR)
Purpose
ToprovideinformationtothesentencingCourtabouttheoffenderandtheoffencecommittedandtoassisttheCourttodecideonasuitablecommunity-basedorcustodialsentence.Apre-sentencereport(PSR)isrequiredineverycaseunlesstheCourtisoftheopinionthatitisunnecessary.
SWMProbationTrustalwaysaimstocompletePSRsassoonaspossible,withoutcompromisingthequalityoftheassessment.
Type of PSR
Oral ReportOralreportsmaybesuitableforuseacrosssentencethresholdsregardlessofwhethertheseriousnessoftheoffenceislow,mediumorhigh.Thereportshouldbecompletedonthedayofsentence.
Whereawrittenreporthasbeenpreparedinthelast12months,andisavailabletotheCourt,anoralreportmaybesufficienttoupdatetheoffender’sinformationandallowtheCourttosentencewithoutfurtheradjournment.
Written ReportThesecanbecompletedonthesameday,orwithin5days,for:
• Lowseriousnesscasesandasignificantamount ofmediumseriousnesscases,wheretheCourthas indicatedthatitisconsideringpassinga CommunityOrderandrequiresaPSR.
Theremaybealongeradjournmentofupto15daysfor:
• Violentorsexualoffenceswheretheassessment iscomplex.
• Highseriousnesscasesandsomemedium seriousnesscases,wheretheCourthasindicated thatitisconsideringimposingaCommunityOrder.
When is a PSR not required?
TheSentencingGuidelinesCouncil(SGC)makesclearthattherewillbetimeswhenaPSRisunnecessary.ThiscouldbeconsideredinlowseriousnessCommunityOrdercaseswherethesentencerismindedtoimposeasingleRequirementandwherethesentencewillnotrequiretheinvolvementofSWMProbationTrust.APSRwouldalsobeunnecessaryincaseswherethesentencerismindedtoimposeafineonly.
When ordering a PSR
WheretheCourtismindedtoimposeacommunitysentenceitisexpectedthattheCourtwillindicatetheseriousnessoftheoffenceandthepurposeofsentencingthattheorderisrequiredtofulfil.ThisenablesthereportwritertofocusthereportandtherecommendationontheCourt’sviewofthecase.
Section 1 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Pre-Sentence Report (PSR)
The Community Order and its Requirements
What is it?
UndertheCriminalJusticeAct2003,thedifferentcommunitysentencespreviouslyavailableforadultswerereplacedbyasingleCommunityOrderwitharangeof12possibleRequirements.CourtsareabletochoosedifferentRequirementstomakeupabespokeCommunityOrder.
How does it work?
Itappliestooffencescommittedonorafter4April2005.EachOrdermustcontainatleastoneofthe12Requirements.TheOrdercanrunforuptothreeyears.Thereisnominimumduration,butsomeoftheRequirementshaveaminimumnumberofhoursthatmustbeimposed.
Deciding on the Requirements
Requirementsmaybecombinedsubjectto:
• theirbeingcompatible
• theirsuitabilityfortheoffender
• theoffender’sreligiousbeliefsortimesofwork andeducationnotbeingcompromised
• theoverallrestrictiononlibertyorpunitive contentbeingcommensuratewiththeseriousness oftheoffending(thatis,theseriousnessofthe currentoffence(s)andanyrecentandrelevant previousconvictions).
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
AdviceonsuitablecombinationsofRequirements,andtheavailabilityofelectronicmonitoringtosecurecompliance,willbeprovidedbySWMProbationTrust.ThesentencingproposalwillreflecttheCourt’sinitialindicationastolow,mediumorhighseriousness.
TheSGCGuidelinesindicatethenumberandtypeofRequirementsthatmaybeappropriatefordifferentseriousnesslevels.Forlowseriousnesscasestheysaythat“inmostcasesonlyoneRequirementwillbeappropriateandthelengthmaybecurtailedifadditionalRequirementsarenecessary”.
The following descriptions of the 12 Requirements include suggestions for duration at the different seriousness levels. This is the SWM Probation Trust interpretation of what could be included and is based, where available, on the SGC Guidelines. The descriptions also include suggested main purposes. Courts will of course wish to make their own judgment on a case-by-case basis.
ItisexpectedthataCourtwillindicateitsinitialpurposeofsentencingfromthestatutorylistbelow,whichtheSWMProbationTrustproposalwillalsoreflect.
• Thepunishmentofoffenders
• Thereductionofcrime(includingitsreduction bydeterrence)
• Thereformandrehabilitationofoffenders
• Theprotectionofthepublic
• Themakingofreparationbyoffenders topersonsaffectedbytheiroffence
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
The Community Order and its Requirements
Breach of a Community Order
FollowingabreachofaCommunityOrdertheCourtmusteither:
• amendtheOrdertomakeitmoreonerous,for examplebyaddingaRequirementorbyextending thedurationofanexistingRequirement (butnotbeyondthelimitsthatapplytothat Requirementnorbeyondthethree-yearlimit ofaCommunityOrder)
• revoketheOrderandre-sentencetheoffender asiftheyhadjustbeenconvicted
• iftheoriginaloffencewasnotpunishablewith imprisonmentbuttheoffenderhaswilfullyand persistentlyfailedtocomplywiththeOrder,revoke theOrderandsentencetheoffendertoacustodial sentenceofupto51weeks
WheretheOrderwasmadebytheCrownCourt(andthatCourtdirectedthatfailurestocomplyshouldbedealtwithbytheMagistrates’Court)theMagistrates’CourtdealingwiththebreachmayinsteadremandtheoffenderincustodyorreleasethemonbailtoappearbeforetheCrownCourt.
TheCourtcannot:
• takenoaction• issueawarning• imposeafine• allowtheOrdertocontinueunchanged
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
The Community Order and its Requirements
Unpaid Work
Main purposes
Punishment+reparation+rehabilitation
What is it?
ItisarequirementontheoffendertoworkunpaidforatotalnumberofhoursasspecifiedbytheCourt.Thenumberofhoursmustbespecifiedbetween40and300andshouldnormallybecompletedwithin12months.
Usefully supported by:
AnActivityRequirementmaybeappropriate,whereasignificantamountofskillslearningisnecessary.SWMProbationTrustmayrecommendthatthehoursofunpaidworkorderedshouldbereducedaccordingtothelikelyamountofworktobeundertakenwithintheActivityRequirement.Thiswilldependontheseriousnessoftheoffence.
Further information required?
TheCourtmustbesatisfiedthattheoffenderissuitabletoperformwork,especiallywithregardtotheoffender’sphysicalhealthandavailability.
Seriousness levels
Low—40to80hoursMedium—80to150hoursHigh—150to300hours
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Activity
Main purpose
Rehabilitation+reparation
What is it?
Apackageofactivitieseg.educationandbasicskillsassessmentandtraining,andaseriesofworkbookstoaddressoffendingbehaviour.
Usefully supported by:
ASupervisionRequirementmaybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupport.AnUnpaidWorkRequirementmayalsoberecommendedformediumorhighseriousnesscaseswhereadditionalpunishmentisconsideredappropriate.
Further information required?
TheCourtmustbesatisfiedthatcomplianceisfeasible.AnActivityRequirementcannotbemadewithouttheconsentofanyperson,otherthantheoffender,whoseco-operationisnecessaryforcompliance.Theconsentoftheoffenderisnotnecessary.
Seriousness levels
Medium—20to30daysHigh—uptothemaximum60days
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme
Main purpose
Rehabilitation
What is it?
AgroupworkorindividualprogrammeaccreditedbytheCorrectionalServicesAccreditationPanelanddesignedtoaddressattitudesandbehaviourthatcontributetooffending.
Programmesfallintofivecategories:• Generaloffending• Violence• Sexoffending• Substancemisuse• Domesticviolence
See section 5 for details of all programmes.
Usefully supported by:
ASupervisionRequirementwillusuallybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupport.
Further information required?
TheCourtcannotincludeaprogrammeinanOrderunlessSWMProbationTrusthasrecommendeditassuitablefortheoffender.Thespecificprogrammeshouldbenamedatthepointofsentence,togetherwiththeprogramme’slikelycommencementdate.
Seriousness levels
Medium—High
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Prohibited Activity
Main purposes
Punishment+protection
What is it?
Theoffendermustrefrainfromparticipatinginactivitiesonaparticulardayordaysorduringaperiodofuptothreeyears.Examplesincludeprohibitionfrom:enteringanylicensedpremises;attendinganyfootballmatch;communicatingwithanyminorwithouttheapprovaloftheresponsibleofficer.
Usefully supported by:
ASupervisionRequirementmaybeappropriatetosupportandreinforcedesiredchangesinbehaviour.
Further information required?
TheCourtmustconsultSWMProbationTrustbeforeincludingsuchaRequirementinanorder.
Seriousness levels
Low—Medium—High(uptothreeyears)
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Curfew
Main purpose
Punishment+protection
What is it?
Theoffendermustremainataspecifiedplaceforcertainperiods(betweentwoand12hoursinanyoneday)andlimitedtouptosixmonthsoftheOrderbeingmade.Thecurfewcanbeatdifferentplacesand/ordifferentperiodsondifferentdays.TheCourtmustimposeelectronicmonitoringunlessitisnotavailable,thenecessaryconsenthasnotbeengiven,ortheCourtconsidersitinappropriate.
Usefully supported by:
ASupervisionRequirementmaybeappropriateatahighlevelofseriousnesstosupportdesiredchangesinbehaviour.MayalsobeusedalongsideanUnpaidWorkRequirement.
Further information required?
TheCourtmustobtainandconsiderinformationabouttheplaceofcurfew,includinginformationabouttheattitudeofpersonslikelytobeaffectedbytheenforcedpresenceoftheoffender.
Seriousness levels
Low—afewweeksMedium—twotothreemonthsHigh—fourtosixmonths
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Exclusion
Main purposes
Punishment+protection
What is it?
Theoffendermaynotenteraspecifiedplaceorplacesforaperiodofuptotwoyears.Theexclusioncanbelimitedtoparticularperiodsspecifiedandatdifferentplacesfordifferentperiodsordays.
Usefully supported by:
ASupervisionRequirementmaybeappropriatetosupportandreinforcedesiredchangesinbehaviour.
Further information required?
PleasecheckwithSWMProbationTrustwhetherthisRequirementandelectronicmonitoringareavailableinyourarea.BeforemakinganexclusionOrder,theCourtshouldconsiderthepracticalityofmonitoringandenforcingtheOrder.
Seriousness levels
Low—afewmonthsMedium—aboutsixmonthsHigh—about12months
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Residence
Main purposes
Rehabilitation+protection
What is it?
Theoffendermustresideattheplacespecified,eitheranApprovedPremises(probationhostel)orprivateaddress.
Usefully supported by:
ASupervisionRequirementwillusuallybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupportandcontactaftermovingtonext-stageaccommodation.ResidenceatanApprovedPremisesautomaticallyincludesasupervisedcurfew.
Further information required?
ResidenceinahostelorinstitutionmustbeproposedbySWMProbationTrust.TheCourtmustconsiderthehomecircumstancesoftheoffender.
Seriousness levels
Medium—High(upto36months)
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Mental Health Treatment
Main purpose
Rehabilitation
What is it?
Theoffenderisrequiredtoundergotreatmentbyorunderthedirectionofamedicalpractitionerand/orcharteredpsychologistwithaviewtotheimprovementoftheoffender’smentalcondition.
Usefully supported by:
ASupervisionRequirementmaybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupport,exceptwheretreatmentisresidential.
Further information required?
TheCourtmustbesatisfiedthat:
• ontheevidenceofaregisteredmedicalpractitioner, thementalconditionoftheoffenderissuchas requiresandmaybesusceptibletotreatment, butdoesnotwarrantthemakingofaHospital orGuardianshipOrder
• theoffenderiswillingtocomply
• treatmentcanbearranged
Seriousness levels
Medium—High(sixto36months)
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Drug Rehabilitation
Main purpose
Rehabilitation
What is it?
ARequirementofatleastsixmonthstohavetreatmenttoreduceoreliminatedependencyonorpropensitytomisusedrugs,andtoberegularlytestedfordruguse.ProgressreviewsbytheCourtatintervalsofnotlessthanonemonthareoptionalforRequirementsofupto12monthsandaremandatoryover12months.
Usefully supported by:
ASupervisionRequirementwillusuallybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupportexceptinlowseriousnesscases.AsubstancemisuseprogrammemayalsobeundertakenthroughaseparateProgrammeRequirement.
Further information required?
CannotbeimposedunlessSWMProbationTrusthasrecommendeditassuitablefortheoffenderandtheoffenderiswillingtocomply.TheCourtmustalsobesatisfiedthat:
• theoffenderisdependenton,orhasapropensity tomisusedrugs,andthisrequiresandissusceptible totreatment
• treatmentcanbearranged
Seriousness levels
Low—sixmonths(Progressreviewoptional)Medium—sixto12months(Progressreviewoptional)High—12to36months(Progressreviewmandatory)
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Alcohol Treatment
Main purpose
Rehabilitation
What is it?
ARequirementofatleastsixmonths,forthoseoffenderswhoaredependentonalcoholandrequireintensive/specialisttreatment(eitherresidentialornon-residential)toreducetheiralcoholintaketosafelimitsorbecomeabstinentfromalcohol.ProgressreviewsbytheCourtatintervalsofnotlessthanonemonthareoptionalforRequirementsofupto12monthsandaremandatoryover12months.
Usefully supported by:
ASupervisionRequirementwillusuallybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupport,exceptinlowseriousnesscaseswhenOrderswithasingleRequirementaremoreappropriate.IfnecessarytheuseofasubstancemisuseprogrammeortheDrinkImpairedDriversProgrammemaybeundertaken
throughaseparateprogrammeRequirement.
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Further information required?
TheCourtmustbesatisfiedthat:
• theoffenderisdependentonalcohol, andmaybesusceptibletotreatment• theoffenderiswillingtocomply• treatmentcanbearranged
AlcoholTreatmentcannotbeimposedunlessSWMProbationTrusthasrecommendeditassuitablefortheoffenderandtheoffenderiswillingtocomply.
Seriousness levels
Low—sixmonths(Progressreviewoptional)Medium—sixto12months(Progressreviewoptional)High—12to36months(Progressreviewmandatory)
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Alcohol Treatment
Supervision
Main purpose
Rehabilitation
What is it?
Requirestheoffendertoattendregularappointmentswiththeresponsibleofficeroranotherpersondeterminedbytheofficertopromoterehabilitation.Duringtheperiodofsupervision,SWMProbationTrustwillundertakeworkwiththeoffendertochangeattitudesandbehaviour,forexample:
• Monitorandreviewpatternsofbehaviour• Increasemotivation• Providepracticalsupporttoincreasecompliance withotherRequirements• Supportandreinforcelearning• Deliverpreandpostworkforaccreditedprogrammes
Usefully supported by:
AProgrammeRequirementandanyofthethreeTreatmentRequirementsmaybeappropriatewheresupervisioncanprovideinitialmotivationalworkandsupport.InmanycasesitmaybeusedappropriatelytosupportanActivityRequirement.
Further information required?
Nospecificinformationisrequired.
Seriousness levels
Low—upto12monthsMedium—12to18monthsHigh—12to36months
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Attendance Centre
Main purpose
Punishment
What is it?
Theoffendermustattendanattendancecentrefor12to36hours,withamaximumofthreehoursperattendanceandoneattendanceperday.Availablefor18-24yearoldsonly.
Usefully supported by:
Thiswillberecommendedasastand-alonepunishmentforlowseriousnessoffences.Dependingontheoffender’sspecificneeds,supervisionmayalsobeconsidered.
Further information required?
TheCourtmustbesatisfiedacentreisavailableandaccessibletotheoffender.
Seriousness levels
Low—12to36hours
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
The Intensive Community Control Programme (ICCP)
The Intensive Community Control Programme is a community programme which provides a level of intensity and control that lies between custody and community sentences.
Prisonsentencescanleadtothebreak-upoffamilytiesandthelossofjobsandaccommodation.Consequentlyoffenderscanbetemptedtocommitfurthercrime.
SWMProbationTrusthascombinedanumberofrequirementsintoanIntensiveCommunityControlProgramme(ICCP),whichenablespositivecommunitytiestobemaintainedbyoffenders,butsubjectsthemtointensiveandcontrollingrequirementsasadirectalternativetocustody.Suchrequirementswillenablethemtoexaminetheirbehaviour,makereparationandlearnnewskillstohelppreventfurtheroffending.
ThecombinationoftheserequirementsaspartofICCPisintendedtoprovideademandingpunishmentwhichliesbetweencustodyandcommunityforthoseoffenderswhowouldotherwisereceiveupto12monthsinprison.ICCPprovidesincreasedintensityandcontrolmeasureswhichenableoffenderstoachieveclearoutcomes.
Whenadjourningforareport,SentencerswhoarelookingforadirectalternativetocustodymaywishtoconsiderthisprogrammeandtoaskthattheoffenderisspecificallyassessedforICCP.
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
What does the Programme entail?
TheCourtcanimposeacombinationofthefollowingrequirementsdependingonthespecificneedsidentifiedbythePre-SentenceReport(PSR)author.
Supervision requirement
AnOffenderManagerwillberesponsibleformonitoring,reviewingandmanagingtheoffender’sprogressontheprogrammeandensuringthatanynon-complianceisaddressedpromptly.TheSupervisionrequirementwillberecommendedforupto12months.
Curfew requirement
Thiscanbeimposedwheretheresidencerequirementisnotataprobationhostel.Thiswillcontroloffenders’movementsandcanbesetfordifferenttimestoeffectivelytargetandreducetheriskoffurthercrime.
Residence requirement
Arequirementforresidenceforupto3months.ThismaybeatasuitablehomeaddressoratanApprovedPremises(AP).IftheresidencerequirementistobeatanAPthiswillrequirea3-weekadjournmentsothattheoffender’ssuitabilityandabilitytocomplywithanAPregimecanbetested.
Duringtheir3months’residence,offenderswillberequiredtoengageintheenhancedregimeoftheAPwhichisaimedatincreasingsocialskillsandconsistsofactivitiessuchasEducation,TrainingandEmployment,artandcrafts,gardeningandbudgeting.
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
The Intensive Community Control Programme (ICCP)
TheywillalsoberequiredtocomplywithAPruleswhichincludeanightcurfew,andtopayfortheirboard.TheywillbemonitoredcloselybystaffandpromptedtocomplywithallrequirementsoftheICCP.
Unpaid Work requirement
AspartofICCP,offenderscanberecommendedtoundertakeunpaidworkfor2daysperweekandcompleteupto80hours.
A Specific Activity requirement to engage in restorative interventions
Aspartofthisrequirement,offendersareassessedregardingtheirsuitabilitytoundertakereparationworktoputrighttheharmtheyhavecausedtoothers.UnderthedirectionofaVictimLiaisonOfficer(VLO),offenderscouldmeetthevictimsoftheiroffencesshouldthosevictimssowishandwillengageinappropriatevictimempathywork.
Thisworkhasprovedtobevaluabletovictimsandeffectiveinenablingoffenderstoexaminetheirbehaviourandavoidfurtheroffending.Thisworkwillbeundertakenasaspecifiedactivityforupto12sessionsunderthedirectionofaVLOatanApprovedPremises(whilstinresidence),oranalternativeplacespecifiedbytheVLOduringtheperiodofsupervision.
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
The Intensive Community Control Programme (ICCP)
Accredited programme requirement
Iftheoffendermeetsthecriteriaforanaccreditedprogramme,thiscanbeincludedwithintheICCP.AttendancewillcommencequicklyaftertheOrderbeginsandwillbecontinuedaftertheresidentialelementendsifnecessary.
Theproposed Intensive Community ControlProgrammecanbemadeunderexistinglegislation.AlltherequirementsarecurrentlyavailableundertheCriminalJusticeAct2003.
• Residence Requirement Upto3monthsfortheICCP.
• Curfew Requirement Thiscanbeimposedfor2to12hoursinanyday foramaximumperiodof6months.Sentencers shouldspecifythelocationandthatthecurfew willbemonitoredelectronically.
• Supervision Requirement Upto12monthsfortheICCP.
• Activity Requirement Upto12sessionsforthepurposeofparticipating inreparationactivitiesunderthedirectionofaVLO employedbySWMProbationTrust.
• Unpaid Work Requirement Upto80hourstobecompletedattwodays perweek.
• Accredited Programme Requirement ToattendonecompletecourseoftheAccredited ProgrammeidentifiedbythePSRauthor.
Section 2 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
The Intensive Community Control Programme (ICCP)
Suspended Sentence Order
What is it?
Asentenceoflessthan12months’custodysuspendedforbetweensixmonthsandtwoyears.DuringtheperiodofsuspensiontheCourtsetscommunityRequirementsfromthesame12optionsavailablefortheCommunityOrder.
TheSGCsays:“Becauseoftheverycleardeterrentthreatinvolvedinasuspendedsentence,Requirementsimposedaspartofthatsentenceshouldgenerallybelessonerousthanthoseimposedaspartofacommunitysentence.ACourtwishingtoimposeonerousorintensiveRequirementsonanoffendershouldreconsideritsdecisiontosuspendsentenceandconsiderwhetheracommunitysentencemightbemoreappropriate.”
How does it work?
AbreachwouldresultinareturntoCourtforallorpartoftheoriginalcustodialsentencetobeimposedor,insomecases,theSuspendedSentenceOrdertobecontinuedbuttheRequirementsmademoreonerous.
TheSGCstatesthat“thepresumptionisthatthesuspendedprisonsentencewillbeactivated(eitherwithitsoriginalcustodialtermoralesserterm)unlesstheCourttakestheviewthatthiswould,inallcircumstances,beunjust.Inreachingthatdecision,theCourtmaytakeintoaccountboththeextenttowhichtheoffenderhascompliedwiththeRequirementsandthefactsof(any)newoffence.”
Section 3 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS)
TheBailAccommodationandSupportService(BASS)hasbeendevelopedtopreventdefendantsenteringcustodyorremainingincustodyanylongerthanisnecessaryforreasonswhichcouldberesolvedthroughtheprovisionofsuitableandsupportedaccommodation.SWMProbationTrustprovidesBailInformationReportsinallCourtsuponrequestfromtheCourtoralegaladvisor.
What is BASS?
BASScanprovidehousingtogetherwithsupportorprovidesupportonlywheredefendantsareabletoliveintheirownhomes.Theprovisionlastsforthelengthofthebailperiodplussevendays.TheserviceismanagedbyStonham(contracteduntil2013),thecareandsupportdivisionofHomeGroup,oneofthecountry’slargesthousingassociations.
What can the defendant expect to receive through BASS?
BASSaccommodationisavailablethroughoutStaffordshireandtheWestMidlands.Housingisbasedonshared,single-genderhouses,withuptofourresidents.Asingleparentwithdependantchildrencanbeaccommodatedinapropertyfortheirsoleuse.
Section 4 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS)
ASupport Onlyserviceisalsoavailablefordefendantswhoalreadyhaveaccommodation.Itisdesignedtohelpadefendantto:
• Adheretobailconditions• Desistfromreoffending• Accessbenefitsandmedicalservices• Keepappointments• Applyforjobs,educationortraining• Improvelifeskills• Developanactionplan• Findmove-onaccommodation• Rebuildfamilycontacts.
OnesupportsessionaweekismandatoryandfurtherenforceablesessionscanbeorderedbytheCourt.AdditionalsessionswillbeprovidedbyStonhamtoaddressindividualneeds.
Thissupportisnotstatutorysupervision.Formalsupervisionwouldbeundertakenbytheoffendermanagerifthereisoneinplace,otherwisebailconditionsaremanagedbythepolice.
Section 4 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS)
Bail conditions
DefendantsbailedtotheBASSprojectaresubjecttothefollowingrequirements:
• toattendmandatorycontactsessionswhichwill beoneaweekunlesstheCourthasrequiredmore. Afailuretoattendonesessionwithoutgoodreason willincurawarning.Afailuretoattendtwo sessionswithinanyperiodof21dayswill resultinbreach.
• paymentofrent.Ifarrearsbecomeexcessive Stonhamwillwithdrawtheaccommodation.
• tocomplywithrulesastobehaviourinthehouse, towardsstaff,otheroccupantsandneighbours. Stonhamwillseektosupportusersinaddressing behaviourbut,ifnecessary,willwithdraw theservice.
[Continuedoverleaf]
Section 4 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS)
TheCourtmayimposeadditionalbailconditionse.g.electronicmonitoring.
Stonhammayalsowithdrawaccommodationatanytimeforgoodreason,e.g.housesharingrisks,andmayinitiatebreachoftheresidenceconditiononthisbasis.Stonhamwillalsoinitiatebreachactionwiththepoliceiftheresidenceconditionisbreachedthroughabsconding.
Breach of conditions
BreachofbailconditionsisdealtwithwhollybythepoliceandCourtsalthoughshouldthenatureofthebreachmakethedefendantineligibletheBASSplacementmaybewithdrawn.
IfanoffenderbreachesStonham’scorerulestheywillbeinbreachoftheCourt’sinstructions.
Section 4 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Section 4 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Eligibility
EligibilityforBASSexcludes:
• thoseconvicted/chargedwithasexualoffence mentionedinSchedule3totheSexualOffences Act2003
• thosewhoposeasignificantrisktothepublic (includingBASSstafforothersinasharedhouse)
• thoseunder18yearsofageorthoseunable topayrentorclaimhousingbenefit
Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS)
Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
Programme aims:
Toteachproblem-solvingskillsandapplytheseskillstooffendingbehaviour,inordertohelpoffendersstopoffending.ThinkingSkillswillhelpoffendersidentifyandmanagetheirriskfactors,todeveloppersonally-relevantstrategiesandtoachievegoalsthatsupportrelapseprevention.
Who is suitable?
• TSPtargetsmaleandfemaleoffendersaged 18yearsandoverwhoaremediumriskof re-offendingandabove,andareassessedashaving thetreatmentneedsthattheprogrammeaddresses
• TSPdoesnottargetorexcludeparticipantswith particularoffendinghistories
• TSPcanbesuitableforoffenderswhohave previouslycommitteddomestic,sexualor instrumentalviolencesubjecttoappropriate considerationofgroupmembershipincluding separationfromvictimgroup.However,itshould benotedthatTSPisNOTasubstituteforany offence-specificinterventionandcautionmust betakenwhenconsideringsentencingan offendertoTSPwhohasbeenconvictedof theaboveoffences
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme:
Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)
Who is not suitable?
• Peoplewhoseoffendingisnotlinkedtopoor cognitiveskills
• Offenderswithseriousmentalhealthproblems
• Offenderswhocannotlearninagroupsetting
• Currentsexoffenders
• Currentdomesticviolenceoffenders
The programme involves:
19sessionsintotal
Initial one-to-one session
Threemodules(SelfControl,ProblemSolvingandPositiveRelationships)eachconsistingoffivegroupsessionsandasingleone-to-onesession.
Groupsessionsfocusonskillstochangebehavioursuchasproblem-solving,anti-socialattitudes,tacklingpressurestooffend,victimawareness,moralreasoning,self-managementandsocialinteraction.Thesearethenappliedtoaspectsofoffendingandsituationsinwhichtheyoccur.
TheThinkingSkillsProgrammeworksonarollingbasissooffenderscanjoinagroupapproximatelyeverythreetofourweeksononeofthethreemodules.
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme:
One to One
Programme aims:
Toenableoffenderstodeveloparangeofproblemsolvingskillsinordertochangebehaviourandtheunderpinningthought,valuesandattitudesrelatedtooffending.
Who is suitable?
Offenderswho:
• poseamediumtomedium-highriskofre-offending
• havepoorproblem-solvingskills
• areimpulsiveand/orrigidthinkers
• donotthinkthroughtheconsequences oftheiractions
• havepersonalcircumstancesorlongand/ordifficult journeytimeswhichwouldmakeattendanceat agroupprogrammedifficult
• haveacomplexpatternofpersonalproblemsand characteristicswhichwouldmakeitdifficultfor themtolearninagroupsetting
• areassessedassuitableinaPre-SentenceReport
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme:
One to One
Who is not suitable?
• Offenderswithseriousmentalhealthproblems
• Offenderswhowouldnotmeetthelearning outcomesbecauseofseveredrugdependency
• Offenderswithlearningdifficultieswherethis inhibitsunderstandingofthematerials. Thisdoesnotnecessarilyincludethosewith literacydifficulties
The programme involves:
• Onepre-programmemotivationalsession
• 21one-to-oneprogrammesessionsofbetween oneandone-and-a-halfhours.Thesefocusonskills tochangebehavioursuchasproblemsolving, antisocialattitudes,tacklingpressurestooffend, victimawareness,moralreasoningandself-awareness.
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme:
Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage it (CALM)
Programme aims:
Toreduceaggressiveandoffendingbehaviourrelatedtopooremotionalmanagementthroughteachingsocialskills,emotionalmanagementandcognitivetechniques.
Who is suitable?
Maleoffenderswho:• poseamediumtohighriskofre-offending• havebeenconvictedofanyoffenceinwhichanger orotheruncontrolledemotionhasplayeda significantpart,orhaveahistoryofviolent, aggressiveoremotionallyuncontrolledbehaviour• haveproblemsofemotionalmanagementespecially angermanagement• havebeenassessedassuitableinaPSR
Who is not suitable?
• Offenderswithseriousmentalhealthproblems• Offenderswhocannotlearninagroupsetting• Currentsexoffenders• Domesticviolenceoffenders• Offenderswhocommitotherformsofinstrumental violencesuchasrobberyormakingthreatstokill
The programme involves:
• 24groupworksessionsofbetweentwoand two-and-a-halfhours.Offenderslearntocontrol theiremotionalarousal,skillstoresolveconflict, andhowtodealwithrelapse
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme:
Community – Sex Offender Group Programme (C-SOGP)
Programme aims:
Toreduceoffendingbyadultmalesexoffenders.
Who is suitable?
• Adultmales(overtheageof21)withinthenormal IQrangewhocommitanytypeofsexualoffence (butinternetsexoffendersmayrequiretheInternet SexOffenderProgrammeISOTP.Thiswillbemade clearinthePreSentenceReport)
• OffenderswhoareassessedassuitableinaPSR
Who is not suitable?
• Femalesexualoffenders• SexoffenderswithanIQoflessthan80• Menwithseveredrug/alcoholmisusebehaviour• Menwithcurrentmentalhealthproblems• Menassessedaspsychopathic
The programme involves:
• 50-hourinductionmodule.Lowriskandsome mediumriskmenthengodirectlytoashorter BetterLivesProgramme
• Highriskmenundertakeupto175hoursof treatmentaccordingtotheirneeds.Mencanjoin atthebeginningofanymodule
• MenwhohavesuccessfullycompletedaPrison sexoffendertreatmentprogrammecangodirectly totheBetterLivesProgramme
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme:
Internet Sex Offender Treatment Programme (i-SOTP)
Programme aims:
Toreducetheriskoffutureinternetsexualoffendingandriskofprogressiontocontactsexualoffending.
Who is suitable?
Theprogrammeisexclusivelyforinternet-onlyoffenderswhoareagedover21years.Theagedistinctionistominimisetheriskofrelativelyyoungeroffenderspossiblybeingadverselyinfluencedbyworkinginagroupofmorematureoffenders.
OffendersshouldbeinthenormalIQrange(80andover).OffenderswillentertheprogrammeasarequirementofaCommunityOrder(usuallythreeyearsinduration)orasaconditionofreleasefromprison.Theprogrammeisforlow,mediumandhigh-riskoffenders.
Itisenvisagedthatif,inthecourseoftheprogrammeanoffender’streatmentneedsemergeasgreaterthanisapparentatthepre-sentenceassessment,therewouldbethefacilitytotransferoffendersfromthei-SOTPtooneoftheotheraccreditedsexoffendertreatmentprogrammes.
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme:
Who is not suitable?
• Femalesexoffenders• Menwithpreviousconvictionsforothertypes ofsexualoffences• Veryhighrisk/highdevianceoffenders• Menwithseveredrug/alcoholabuseissues• Menwithmentalhealthproblemssuchas psychopathy,schizophrenia,acutedepression• OffenderswhoareunabletospeakEnglish
The programme involves:
Itisacognitivebehaviouraltreatmentprogrammewhichhasthefollowingcomponents:-
• Motivationalwork• Functionalanalysisofoffencebehaviour• Enhancingvictimawareness• Addressingcognitivedistortions• Relationshipandintimacyskills• Addressingproblematiccollectingandcompulsivity• Relapseprevention
Theprogrammecomprisessixmodules.Thegroupformathas35sessionsoftwohours’duration;sessionsaresupplementedbysubstantialhomeworkassignments.
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Internet Sex Offender Treatment Programme (i-SOTP)
Programme:
Drink Impaired Drivers Programme (DIDP)
Programme aims:
Toreducetheriskoffuturedrink-relateddrivingoffences.
Who is suitable?
Offenders,bothmenandwomenwho:
• haveoneormoredrinkdrivingoffences, includingfailuretoprovideaspecimen• assessedassuitablefortheprogrammeinaPSR
Who is not suitable?
• First-timeoffenders,unlessthereareaggravated circumstances• Thosewithfiveormorepreviousconvictions forexcessalcohol• Heavydrinkersunlesssequencedwith alcoholtreatment• Problemdrinkersuntiltheyarestabilised
The programme involves:
• Fourindividualstructuredsessionsonrisk assessmentandgrouppreparation.• 14weeklygroupworksessionsoftwo-and-a-half hoursfocusedonstructuredlearningtodevelop pro-socialskills,effectivedecisionmakingand detailedknowledgeabouttheeffectsofdrinking anddriving• Fourpost-programmeindividual,structured evaluationandrelapsepreventionsessions
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme:
Offender Substance Abuse Programme (OSAP)
Programme aims:
• Toraiseawarenessofthelinkbetweendrugand/or alcoholmisuseandoffending• Toprovideoffenderswiththeskillstoenablethem toreduceorstopsubstancemisuse, thusreducingoffending
Who is suitable?
Offenders:
• whohavebeenassessedasmediumtohighrisk ofre-offending• whoseoffendingislinkedtoatleastone ofthefollowing:– substancespecificoffences (e.g.possessionofClassAdrug)– useofdrugsoralcoholasadisinhibitor– offencescommittedasaresultofaddiction orperceivedaddictiontoalcoholordrugs• whoaresufficientlystableandmotivatedtochange• whoareassessedassuitableinaPSR
Who is not suitable?
• Offenderswithseriousmentalhealthproblems• Offenderswhocannotlearninagroupsetting
The programme involves:
• Threepre-programmesessions• 26groupworksessionswithamodularstructure delivereduptofourtimesaweek• Atleastfourpost-programmemaintenancesessions withacasemanager
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme:
Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP)
Theprogrammeincludesworkwithknownvictimsandinter-agencyriskmanagement.
Programme aims:
• Toreducetheriskofviolentcrimeandabusive behaviourtowardwomeninrelationshipsby helpingperpetratorschangetheir attitudesandbehaviour• Toreducetheriskofallviolentandabusive behaviourinthefamily• Toincreasetheoffender’sabilitytorespondnon abusively,tochangeabusivebeliefsandempathise withvictim(s)• Togiveoffendersagreatersenseofpersonal responsibilityfortheirviolence• Tohelpoffendersacceptthattheyexercisechoice inthewaytheybehave• Toincreasetheoffender’sabilitytoidentifyhigh risksituationsandtomanageeffectivelythese inthefuture
Who is suitable?
Maleoffenderswho:
• areheterosexual• havebeenassessedasamediumtohighriskfor relationshipviolenceasindicatedbyseverity and/orpatternofabuseusingtheSpousalAbuse RiskAssessment(SARA)• havecommittedatleastoneactofviolenceagainst anintimatepartner
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Programme:
• havebasicliteracy,languagecompetency andcomprehensionskills• arewillingtosignaconsentformwhichwillinclude thesharingofrelevantinformationwiththe offender’sspouse/partner• areassessedassuitableinaPSR
Who is not suitable?
• Femaleoffenders• Offendersinsamesexrelationships• Offenderswithseriousmentalhealthproblems• Offenderswhoarejudgedunabletomeetthe learningoutcomesbecauseof,forexample,severe drugdependency
The programme involves:
• contactwiththevictimorcurrent partnerbyawomen’ssafetyworker• riskmanagementthroughcontinualassessment andinformationsharingwithotheragencies includingthepolice• groupworkandindividualsessionswith theoffender– fourindividualpre-programmesessions– arollingprogrammeof27two-hourgroupwork sessionsandsixindividualsessions– atleastfourrelapsepreventionsessionswith thecasemanager
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP)
Programme:
Structured Intervention to Address Domestic Abuse (SIADA)
Programme:
[Pleasenotethatatthetimeofpublication,thisActivitywasundergoingabestpracticereviewwithintheTrustandsomedetailsmaybesubjecttochange.]
SIADAisdesignedtobeusedwithmenwhoarenotsuitablefortheIntegratedDomesticAbuseProgramme(IDAP)orareunabletoaccesstheprogramme,e.g.becausetheycannotspeaksufficientEnglish.
Programme aims:
Themanualcontainsexerciseswhichaimtoenablethemantoidentifyandmakethechangesheneedstostophisabusivebehaviourtowardshispartner,ex-partnerorfuturepartner.
Who is suitable?
Thetargetgroupismenwhohavebeenin(orarecurrentlyin)intimateheterosexualrelationships.
MenwhoarelowriskorwhoarenotsuitablefortheIDAPprogramme.Thislattercategorycouldalsoincludemediumandhighriskmen.
Who is not suitable?
• Femaleoffenders• Offendersinsamesexrelationships• Menwhohavephysicallyabusedchildren (unlessalsopartofapatternofpartnerabuse)• Offenderswhohavebeenconvictedofdomestic violenceorabusewhoaresuitablefortheIDAP groupworkprogramme
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
The programme involves:
TheSIADAworkbookcontainsaseriesofupto21sessions(dependantonriskandneed),designedtobedeliveredwithmenwhohavecommittedanactofdomesticviolenceorabuse.Theprogrammeisdeliveredonaonetoonebasisorwithinasmallgroupsettingdependinguponcircumstances.
Legal Framework
SIADAshouldbeusedasaspecifiedactivityalongsideasupervisionrequirementduetoadditionalworkthatwillbeundertakenbytheoffendermanagere.g.liaisingwithsocialservicesiftherearechildprotectionissues.Theactivityisexpressedindaysuptoamaximumof21.
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Structured Intervention to Address Domestic Abuse (SIADA)
Programme:
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Low Intensity Alcohol Programme (LIAP)
Programme aims:
LIAPexaminestheeffectsofalcoholandhowemotionscanlinktoalcoholuseandmisuse.Theprogrammeispredominantlyaimedatoffenderswhosepooremotionalcontrolcanleadtodrinking,resultinginoffending.
Who is suitable?
MenandwomenforwhomalcoholisafactorrelatingtooffendingbutarenotalcoholdependantareeligibleforLIAP.Theseoffenderswillusuallyexhibitpooremotionalrecognitionandcontrol.
Who is not suitable?
Anybodywhosedependency/addictionistheinstigatingfactorinoffending,ratherthanproblemswithemotionalcontrol.Alsoanyonewithahistoryofimpulsive,violentoffendingandprolificoffendingwithanalcoholdependencywouldnotbesuitableforLIAP.
Programme:
Section 5 ProbationBenchGuide-July2011
Low Intensity Alcohol Programme (LIAP)
The programme involves:
Offenderswillattend14two-hourgroupsessionsoversevenweeks,oronesessionaweekover14weeks.Amaximumof12offenderscanparticipateineachgroupsession.
NBatthetimeofpublicationthisprogrammeisrunintheWestMidlandsonly.However,itmaybeextendedtoincludeStaffordshireatafuturedate.
Programme:
FormoreinformationabouttheworkofSWMProbationTrustinyourlocalarea,
visit:www.swmprobation.gov.uk
FormoreinformationabouttheworkofSWMProbationTrustinyourlocalarea,
visit:www.swmprobation.gov.uk
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