Over the past 10 years there has been a concerted effort by criminologists and psychologists to identify ‘What Works’ in changing the behaviour of offenders and reducing re-offending. One outcome of this work has been the discovery of key factors which, if properly addressed, can lead to the changes in behaviour and attitudes on the part of offenders which are the precursors of reduced re-offending. Research has demonstrated how interventions with offenders can increase awareness of their individual thought processes and how this link to their behaviours. Such interventions then teach offenders problem solving skills that provide them with the skills and tools to manage their behaviour effectively, and reduce their propensity to offend. Thereby these programmes of intervention not only challenge offenders’ behaviour, but also teach them how to think rationally about the situations they face, their everyday circumstances and how they relate to other people are effective in reducing their propensity to offend.

As a result of this research activity, a range of structured groupwork interventions, called Accredited Programmes, have been developed since 2001 to meet the needs of a wide range of offenders with whom we work.

These programmes are approved by the Correctional Services Accreditation Panel, set up by the Home Secretary, which vets all structured programmes of intervention with offenders as delivered by the Prison and Probation Services. The Panel requires that staff delivering the programmes (Tutors) are carefully selected and trained, and that through a process of quality assurance these tutors adhere to the content of the programme manuals, which set out the content and method of programme delivery.

Typically, a programme will consist of 20 – 30 group sessions usually of 2 hours duration delivered once or twice a week to groups of 10-12 offenders. all programmes require that the Offender Manager undertakes work with the individual offender, prior to the start of the group programme, supports the offender during their attendance including maintaining their motivation, and reinforces the learning gained during the programme both whilst it runs and after completion of the groupwork.

The specific needs of offenders are carefully assessed at the pre-sentence stage. Where an offender meets the criteria which indicate he or she is likely to benefit from an accredited programme, the proposal to court will be for a Community Order with a requirement to attend an Accredited Programme, plus a Supervision requirement. Alternatively offenders subject tot sentences of imprisonment may if they meet the selection criteria be required to attend a programme on release from custody as part of their post-release supervision. National Standards require that all offenders with Programme requirements are expected to begin session 1 of the programme within 6 weeks of the order being made. Offenders who fail to attend programme sessions are subject to enforcement arrangements as with any other aspect of community supervision in accordance with the requirements of National Standards.

Before offenders start the group sessions they undertake a range of psychometric tests designed to measure their attitudes and other characteristics. These tests are taken again at the conclusion of the group programme and are intended to provide the data against which the changes in the offenders thinking skill sad attitudes can be evaluated.

The following programmes are run in the West Midlands:-

1. Think First

This is a General offending Behaviour Programme suitable for a wide range of medium to high risk offenders, including those who have committed offences of dishonesty, motoring offences, and less serious offences of a public order or violent nature. It is a 22 session programme teaching offenders thinking skills including problem solving, decision making, self management and social interaction, and enabling them to apply these skills to a range of personal issues including offence-related situations.

2. Cognitive Booster Programme

This is a short programme of 8 – 10 sessions for offenders who have previously completed a general offending Behaviour Programme (such as Think First) in the community or in custody. It aims to repeat and reinforce the learning of the previous programme. In addition much of the programme is devoted to practising the skills and applying them to the current life situations the offenders face.

3. Drink Impaired Drivers’ Programme (DID)

This is a specific programme developed for men and women who have been convicted of a second drink drive offence, or whose first offence had aggravating features. It teaches offenders about the effects and consequences of drinking and driving, to enable them to separate the two activities and move on to become responsible and legal drivers. It is a 14 session programme but is not suitable for offenders with an alcohol dependency.

4. Women’s Acquisitive Crime Programme

This is 31 session programme designed specifically for women offenders whose past or present offending is theft or dishonesty for financial gain. The programme is structured around the specific factors which lead women to acquisitive crime and works to encourage personal responsibility enhance motivation top change and enable the women t understand their offending and the reasons for it. The programme also focuses on the impact of social networks and healthy relationships and then goes on to develop sills including problem solving among the participants.

5. CALM (Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage it)

This programme is designed for men whose offending is precipitated by anger or poor emotional control, and where their offending involves violent or aggressive behaviour. This 24 session programme teaches a set of skills to increase self regulation, and develop thinking skills to reduce anger. It also focuses on skills to reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of anger and enables offenders to manage other negative emotions linked to their offending. It is not suitable for all violent offenders e.g. those who consciously use violence as an instrument to pursue offending, or domestic violence perpetrators.

6. OSAP (Offender Substance Abuse Programme )

This is a 26 session programme for men and women who have a dependency upon class A drugs or Alcohol, which is relate dot their offending. Offenders learn to examine their addictive behaviour and its link to crime, identify the risk factors inherent in their behaviour, and ways of managing them safely and without recourse to offending. It also helps offenders develop skills to prevent a return to substance misuse and to plan their future. For drug dependent offenders this programme will frequently be used alongside a Drug rehabilitation requirement.

7. IDAP (Integrated Domestic Abuse programme)

IDAP is a programme for male perpetrators of domestic violence. It is an integrated programme in that it has the following elements:-

• A 27 session groupwork programme broken into 9 modules of 3 sessions each
• Management of the risk of harm represented by the offender by the offender Manager
• A multi-agency approach to victim protection including the police and social services
• Specific work with victims by Women’s safety Workers, to assist them access support services, and to ensure feedback on the behaviour of the offenders on the programme

The group programme works with the offender to enable them to understand why they use violence and abuse and the effects of this on others; to encourage them to take responsibility for their behaviour. Offenders how learn to make positive changes in their relationships, specifically by learning and practising specific skills in using non-controlling behaviour.

8. CSOG P (Community Sex offender Groupwork Programme)

The Regional Sex Offender Unit (RSOU) was established in April 2005 to provide sex offender treatment programmes for the four probation areas of the West of Midlands Region, namely Staffordshire, West Mercia, West Midlands and Warwickshire. The RSOU delivers the Community Groupwork Sex Offender Programme (CSOGP) across the region, at a number of locations depending on the address of the offender. The Programme is designed for adult male offenders, convicted of a sexual offence either against children or adults, or of a non-contact sex offence. Offenders should also have an IQ of over 70 and no serious mental health or substance abuse problems. The Programme is long, and can take up to 2 years to complete. All offenders complete an induction programme of a full week followed by 5 full days on a weekly basis. Thereafter low risk offenders will be required to complete about 100 hours of treatment, while higher risk offender complete the full 240 hour programme. Assessments as to the correct treatment ‘pathway’ will be made by the RSOU, using well established psychometric tests and other specialist assessment tools.

The programme aims to reduce the likelihood of future sex offending by looking at cycles of offending, cognitive distortions, relationships and attachments styles, self management and inter-personal skills, the role of fantasy, victim empathy, and relapse prevention. The group sessions use a variety of methods including direct input, practical exercises, role play, offence analysis and challenge for tutors and other group members. The work of the programme is supported and reinforced by the Offender Manager who supervises the offender before, during and after the programme and with whom there is regular contact from the programme tutors.

In addition to CSOGP the RSOU also operates a new programme for offenders convicted of internet related sexual offences, particularly downloading child pornography. The RSOU also provides advice and consultancy to officers working with sex offenders, either at PSR stage or for 1:1 work, and to support management of risk including advice to MAPPPAs.

9. Black and Asian Self Development Module

This is a 4 session module for Black and Asian offenders prior to starting Think First. It enables them to understand the impact of culture and discrimination upon themselves and motivates them to attend and complete the full Think First programme. This module began life as a pilot programme for the National Probation Directorate, and initial research demonstrated the module was valued by offenders and encouraged them to complete the full programme.