A court scheme designed to tackle the causes of repeat offending is to be expanded across England and Wales after receiving £9m in government funding.
Ministers say the investment will more than double the number of Intensive Supervision Courts, from five to 11 sites. They work with low-level offenders whose crimes are linked to issues such as addiction, trauma and poor mental health.
Under the programme, offenders will attend weekly sessions and regularly appear before the same judge, who will monitor their progress.
People who fail to comply with the conditions, including attending hearings or engaging with treatment programmes, could face tougher sanctions such as electronic tagging or prison sentences.
According to the Ministry of Justice, similar schemes have delivered results internationally. In Texas, the approach was linked to a significant reduction in the prison population and a 29% fall in crime.
Announcing the expansion, Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor David Lammy said: ‘Prolific offending often goes hand in hand with addiction and trauma, and tackling that can help cut crime.
‘These tough new courts ensure offenders are held to account while giving them the tools they need to turn their lives round for good, reducing reoffending and making our streets safer in the process.’
Government figures suggest people on probation are more likely than the wider population to experience addiction and mental health difficulties, both of which are associated with higher rates of reoffending.
Research also indicates that more than two-thirds of women in custody have experienced domestic abuse, while around half have suffered brain injuries or have drug addiction problems.
Ministers argue addressing these issues can help prevent further offending and reduce the estimated £18bn annual cost of reoffending to taxpayers.
Dr Tom McNeil, Chief Executive of The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls, welcomed the announcement. He said: ‘Too many people are trapped in a revolving door of prison, at substantial cost to the taxpayer and public services. The system isn’t working for them, and it’s not working for society.’
The expansion follows pilot schemes in Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Teesside. A fifth court has also been announced and is expected to open in Liverpool later this year.
Baroness Gillian Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women’s and Mental Health, said: ‘We know that custody alone does little to rehabilitate offenders, particularly those whose crimes are driven by addiction or mental health issues.
‘This initiative will help them turn their lives around by unpacking these issues and giving them the support they need to turn their backs on crime for good.’
Image: Sasun Bughdaryan/UnSplash
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