Case Study TwoReducing repeat offending through Integrated

Offender Management (IOM)

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Reducing Anti-social and drunk behaviour and criminal damage

Introduction - The Problem

Research suggests that 0.5% of offenders commit 10% of offences; in addition 10% of offenders

commit 50% of offences. By offering individuals the opportunity to stop offending the Partnership is in

a position to improve the quality of life for victims and perpetrators of crime. The Case Study is about

an actual prolific offender, and how (through IOM) he made a fresh start.

Joe* was born into a life of drug-fuelled crime and violence. One of his earliest memories was

seeing his father and siblings counting out the proceeds of a commercial robbery with weapons lying

around. Joe witnessed a great deal of domestic violence between his parents and received very little

schooling, as his family pressurised him into committing crime.

Joe first entered the criminal justice system when he was convicted at the age of 11. By the time he

was 18, he’d had a further 11 convictions and his drug addiction had escalated to Class A drugs. By

the time he was 24, Joe was a prolific burglar, having served 10 prison sentences, and had been

arrested again just 2 months after release from Bedford Prison.

Partnership Working

A number of statutory and non-statutory agencies contributed to the project, including;

Westminster Drug Project (WDP)

Youth Offending Service, Bedford Borough

Council

Bedford Centre (A day opportunity service

providing services for adults with a learning

disability)

Bedfordshire Police

Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults (SOVA) Bedfordshire Probation Trust

One Support (Accommodation service)

ISSUES IDENTIFIED

An offending history since he was 11 years old

A Class A drug addiction problem

Unemployment

Debt

Family relationship problems

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Reducing Anti-social and drunk behaviour and criminal damage

Planning and Delivery

It was at the point of the latest arrest that the IOM (based in Bedford town centre) intervened. Joe

was assigned a key worker from the IOM team who spoke to him about the Prolific and other Priority

Offender Intensive (PI) programme. Joe described that first conversation as being like “a lifeline” to

him. He realised that previously he had come out of prison before knowing he needed to change but

wasn’t committed to do so. This time round, he felt with the support available to him, he could turn his

life around. As part of the PI entry process Joe confessed to all previous crimes – 151 in total. He was

accepted onto PI by His Honour Judge Baker in 2011. The IOM team put a personal multi-agency PI

plan into place.

As public protection is the main element of the PI scheme, Joe was fitted with an electronic tag

that monitored his whereabouts 24 hours a day using GPS (Global Positioning System). He was

also subject to a curfew and exclusion order from associates, received 2 home visits per week by

Bedfordshire Police and attended twice weekly supervision sessions at the Bedfordshire Probation

office.

Joe and his IOM Probation Officer identified the underlying issues that Joe needed to address. These

were principally Class A drug use, employment and education, relationships, financial budgeting and

victim awareness.

Joe engaged well with IOM drug workers employed by WDP and attended all his sessions. His drug

tests have been negative since joining the programme 8 months ago - which is the longest he has

been drug free since the age of 8.

The IOM team, including a SOVA employment worker, helped Joe find an apprenticeship and he now

works 2 or 3 days a week. Joe has proved to be a reliable and hard working employee. He is also

enrolled on a college course to support his apprenticeship and is completing a ‘Skills for Life’ course

for his spelling. Joe’s next goal is to pass his driving test so he can have his own van and help his

employer expand the business.

Joe has an IOM accommodation worker from One Support who is helping him and his family explore

housing options and also assists them with financial budgeting. He has also engaged with a counsellor

funded by Bedfordshire Police. For Joe this has been the most significant part of his rehabilitation. He

said it has been life-changing and the counsellor has reported back what amazing progress he has

made and how he has built his resilience and strength.

Recently, Joe met one of his burglary victims when he took part in a Restorative Justice conference.

He wished to apologise and ask for forgiveness from his victim. It was a very emotional meeting

for both sides and demonstrated how far Joe has come in his rehabilitation. He came out of the

conference saying what an amazing person the victim is and how he could never do anything to harm

someone like that again.

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Reducing Anti-social and drunk behaviour and criminal damage

Since being released from prison, Joe and his partner have had another child. This is the first time

he has been present at a birth and been around to help with the care of a new born baby. He has

excelled as a father and the advice and support the family have had from IOM has proved invaluable.

Joe has passed the first major milestone of the PI scheme. He has successfully met all of the

scheme’s requirements during his 6 month deferred sentence period and is now on a 3 year

community order. Joe has asked to keep his GPS tag on as he knows it can help exclude him from

crimes that his former associates may try to blame on him.

Of the PI programme, Joe said “I now have things to look forward to and know that I can have a good

life ahead to live…I feel supported in trying to be a hardworking family man.”

Success Factors

Joe’s story has demonstrated that IOM can reduce re-offending and change lives for the better – the

lives of the offender, their victims, their families and their communities.

In Joe’s case, IOM also delivers financial benefits. For the first 7 months of Joe joining IOM, the

estimated savings to the criminal justice services and society were £212,709.51 (see table below)

compared to IOM staff and operating costs of £11,970.19.

It is important to note that the estimated savings represents the opportunity cost of Joe not re-

offending rather than a tangible cash saving.

Table: Calculation of Estimated Savings

Savings to: Comment Total

Prison

Service

Home Office estimate of £35k cost of a prisoner per year. (7/12ths

of £35k)

£20,416.67

Police Savings in detection time for offender admitting 151 offences. £140,892.84

Court Home office research estimates savings of a guilty plea is £10k. £10,000.00

Society Home Office research indicates burglary cost £2,300 to society.

Offender admitted 30 burglaries in 2011. Opportunity cost if

offending were to continue at the same rate.

(7/12ths of 30 * £2,300)

£41,400.00

£212,709.51

* Joe’s real name has been changed to protect his identity.

Key Outcomes