Probation Bench Guide - Swmcrc...About this Guide Probation Bench Guide - March 2013 About this Guide This guide is designed to give magistrates summary information about the services

Probation Bench GuideInformation for Sentencers in Staffordshire and West Midlands

March 2013

swm_benchguide_Feb2013.indd 1 11/03/2013 10:13

About this Guide ProbationBenchGuide-March2013

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 Council 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 - ForeignTravelProhibitionRequirement

- TheIntensiveCommunityControlProgramme - Specified Activity: StructuredIntervention toAddressDomesticAbuse

3 Suspended Sentence Order 4 Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS) 5 Programmes


Section 1 ProbationBenchGuide-March2013

Pre-Sentence Report (PSR)

Purpose

ToprovideinformationtothesentencingCourtabouttheoffenderandtheoffencecommittedandtoassisttheCourttodecideonasuitablecommunity-basedorcustodialsentence.Apre-sentencereport(PSR)isrequiredineverycaseunlesstheCourtisoftheopinionthatitisunnecessary.

SWMProbationTrustalwaysaimstocompletePSRsassoonaspossible,withoutcompromisingthequalityoftheassessment.

Type of PSR

Oral ReportOralreportsmaybesuitableforuseacrosssentencethresholdsregardlessofwhethertheseriousnessoftheoffenceislow,mediumorhigh.However,oralreportsarenotconsideredsuitableforanyoffenceofdomesticviolence,sexualoffencesorseriousviolentoffences.Thereportshouldbecompletedonthedayofsentence.

Whereawrittenreporthasbeenpreparedinthelast12months,andisavailabletotheCourt,anoralreportmaybesufficienttoupdatetheoffender’sinformationandallowtheCourttosentencewithoutfurtheradjournment.


Written ReportWhereresourcesallow,thesecanbecompletedonthesameday,orwithin5days,for:

• Lowseriousnesscasesandasignificantamount ofmediumseriousnesscases,wheretheCourthas indicatedthatitisconsideringpassinga CommunityOrderandrequiresaPSR.

Theremaybealongeradjournmentofupto15daysfor:

• Violentorsexualoffenceswheretheassessment iscomplex.

• Highseriousnesscasesandsomemedium seriousnesscases,wheretheCourthasindicated thatitisconsideringimposingaCommunityOrder.

When is a PSR not required?

TheSentencingCouncilmakesclearthattherewillbetimeswhenaPSRisunnecessary.ThiscouldbeconsideredinlowseriousnessCommunityOrdercaseswherethesentencerismindedtoimposeasingleRequirementandwherethesentencewillnotrequiretheinvolvementofSWMProbationTrust.APSRwouldalsobeunnecessaryincaseswherethesentencerismindedtoimposeafineonly.

Theremaybeoccasionswhenanoffenceissoserious,andthecircumstancessoclearlyindicateit,thatMagistrateswillimposeacustodialsentencewithoutfirstcallingforaPSR.


Pre-Sentence Report (PSR)


The Community Order and its Requirements

What is it?

UndertheCriminalJusticeAct2003,thedifferentcommunitysentencespreviouslyavailableforadultswerereplacedbyasingleCommunityOrderwitharangeof12possibleRequirements.CourtsareabletochoosedifferentRequirementstomakeupabespokeCommunityOrder.

InDecember2012,theLegalAid,SentencingandPunishmentofOffenders(LASPO)ActaddedtheForeignTravelProhibitionRequirement.

How does it work?

Itappliestooffencescommittedonorafter4April2005.EachOrdermustcontainatleastoneofthe13Requirements.TheOrdercanrunforuptothreeyears.Thereisnominimumduration,butsomeoftheRequirementshaveaminimumnumberofhoursthatmustbeimposed.

Deciding on the Requirements

Requirementsmaybecombinedsubjectto:

• theirbeingcompatible

• theirsuitabilityfortheoffender

• theoffender’sreligiousbeliefsortimesofwork andeducationnotbeingcompromised

• theoverallrestrictiononlibertyorpunitive contentbeingcommensuratewiththeseriousness oftheoffending(thatis,theseriousnessofthe currentoffence(s)andanyrecentandrelevant previousconvictions).



AdviceonsuitablecombinationsofRequirements,andtheavailabilityofelectronicmonitoringtosecurecompliance,willbeprovidedbySWMProbationTrust.

TheSentencingCouncilguidelinesindicatethenumberandtypeofRequirementsthatmaybeappropriatefordifferentseriousnesslevels.Forlowseriousnesscasestheysaythat“inmostcasesonlyoneRequirementwillbeappropriateandthelengthmaybecurtailedifadditionalRequirementsarenecessary”.

The following descriptions of the 13 Requirements include suggestions for duration at the different seriousness or treatment need levels. This is the SWM Probation Trust interpretation of what could be included and is based, where available, on the Sentencing Council 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




Breach of a Community Order

FollowingabreachofaCommunityOrdertheCourtmusteither:

• amendtheOrdertomakeitmoreonerous, forexamplebyaddingaRequirementorby extendingthedurationofanexistingRequirement. Thecourtcanextendthedurationofaparticular requirementtoamaximumofsixmonths,evenif thismeansitwillextendbeyondthethreeyearlimit foranOrder

• revoketheOrderandre-sentencetheoffender asiftheyhadjustbeenconvicted

• imposeafineofupto£2,500asanalternative toothersanctions(forbreachesonorafter 3December2012)

• iftheoriginaloffencewasnotpunishablewith imprisonmentbuttheoffenderhaswilfullyand persistentlyfailedtocomplywiththeOrder,revoke theOrderandsentencetheoffendertoacustodial sentenceofupto51weeks

• Extendtheorderforupto6months(onlyapplies wheretheCommunityOrderwasmadeonorafter 3December2012.Itcanonlybeextendedonce)

WheretheOrderwasmadebytheCrownCourt(andthatCourtdirectedthatfailurestocomplyshouldbedealtwithbytheMagistrates’Court)theMagistrates’CourtdealingwiththebreachmayinsteadremandtheoffenderincustodyorreleasethemonbailtoappearbeforetheCrownCourt.

The Court cannot:

• take no action • issue a warning • allow the Order to continue unchanged




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



Activity

Main purposes

Rehabilitation+reparation

What is it?

Apackageofactivitieseg.educationandbasicskillsassessmentandtraining,andaseriesofworkbookstoaddressoffendingbehaviour.


ASupervisionRequirementmaybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupport.AnUnpaidWorkRequirementmayalsoberecommendedformediumorhighseriousnesscaseswhereadditionalpunishmentisconsideredappropriate.


TheCourtmustbesatisfiedthatcomplianceisfeasible.AnActivityRequirementcannotbemadewithouttheconsentofanyperson,otherthantheoffender,whoseco-operationisnecessaryforcompliance.Theconsentoftheoffenderisnotnecessary.

Seriousness levels

Medium—20to30daysHigh—uptothemaximum60days



Programme

Main purpose

Rehabilitation

What is it?

AgroupworkorindividualprogrammeaccreditedbytheCorrectionalServicesAccreditationPanelanddesignedtoaddressattitudesandbehaviourthatcontributetooffending.

Programmes fall into five categories:

• Generaloffending• Violence• Sexoffending• Substancemisuse• Domesticviolence

See section 5 for details of all programmes.

Aprogrammeshould besupportedbyasupervisionrequirement.



Programme


Programmerequirementstakeuptoamaximumof60days(or100forsexoffenderprogrammes)andwillbecompletedwithinthelengthoftheOrder.Reportauthorsarestillrequiredtonamethespecificprogramme,althoughundertheLegalAid,SentencingandPunishmentofOffenders(LASPO)Actthereissomeflexibilitytochangewhichspecificprogrammeisattendedpostsentence.Thelengthofsupervisionrequiredtosupportcompletionofaprogrammeisusually:

• 12monthsforgeneraloffending,violence orsubstanceabuseprogrammes.• 24monthsfordomesticabuseprogrammes,• 36monthsforsexoffenderprogrammes.

Seriousness levels

Medium—High



Prohibited Activity

Main purposes

Punishment+protection

What is it?

Theoffendermustrefrainfromparticipatinginactivitiesonaparticulardayordaysorduringaperiodofuptothreeyears.Examplesincludeprohibitionfrom:enteringanylicensedpremises;attendinganyfootballmatch;communicatingwithanyminorwithouttheapprovaloftheresponsibleofficer.


ASupervisionRequirementmaybeappropriatetosupportandreinforcedesiredchangesinbehaviour.


TheCourtmustconsultSWMProbationTrustbeforeincludingsuchaRequirementinanorder.

Seriousness levels

Low—Medium—High(uptothreeyears)



Curfew

Main purposes


What is it?

Theoffendermustremainataspecifiedplaceforcertainperiods(betweentwoand16hoursinanyoneday,orupto12hoursforoffencescommittedbefore3December2012)andlimitedtoupto12monthsfromtheOrderbeingmade.Thecurfewcanbeatdifferentplacesand/ordifferentperiodsondifferentdays.TheCourtmustimposeelectronicmonitoringunlessitisnotavailable,thenecessaryconsenthasnotbeengiven,ortheCourtconsidersitinappropriate.


ASupervisionRequirementmaybeappropriateatahighlevelofseriousnesstosupportdesiredchangesinbehaviour.MayalsobeusedalongsideanUnpaidWorkRequirement.


TheCourtmustobtainandconsiderinformationabouttheplaceofcurfew,includinginformationabouttheattitudeofpersonslikelytobeaffectedbytheenforcedpresenceoftheoffender.

Seriousness levels

Low—afewweeksMedium—twotothreemonthsHigh—fourto12months



Exclusion

Main purposes


What is it?

Theoffendermaynotenteraspecifiedplaceorplacesforaperiodofuptotwoyears.Theexclusioncanbelimitedtoparticularperiodsspecifiedandatdifferentplacesfordifferentperiodsordays.


ASupervisionRequirementmaybeappropriatetosupportandreinforcedesiredchangesinbehaviour.


PleasecheckwithSWMProbationTrustwhetherthisRequirementandelectronicmonitoringareavailableinyourarea.BeforemakinganexclusionOrder,theCourtshouldconsiderthepracticalityofmonitoringandenforcingtheOrder.

Seriousness levels

Low—afewmonthsMedium—aboutsixmonthsHigh—upto24months



Residence

Main purposes

Rehabilitation+protection

What is it?

Theoffendermustresideattheplacespecified,eitheranApprovedPremises(probationhostel)orprivateaddress.


ASupervisionRequirementwillusuallybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupportandcontactaftermovingtonext-stageaccommodation.ResidenceatanApprovedPremisesautomaticallyincludesasupervisedcurfew.


ResidenceinahostelorinstitutionmustbeproposedbySWMProbationTrust.TheCourtmustconsiderthehomecircumstancesoftheoffender.

Seriousness levels

Medium—High(upto36months)



Mental Health Treatment

Main purpose

Rehabilitation

What is it?

Theoffenderisrequiredtoundergotreatmentbyorunderthedirectionofamedicalpractitionerand/orcharteredpsychologistwithaviewtotheimprovementoftheoffender’smentalcondition.


ASupervisionRequirementmaybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupport,exceptwheretreatmentisresidential.


TheCourtmustbesatisfiedthat:

• thementalconditionoftheoffenderissuchas requiresandmaybesusceptibletotreatment, butdoesnotwarrantthemakingofaHospital orGuardianshipOrder

• theoffenderiswillingtocomply

• treatmentcanbearranged

Treatment need

Medium—High(sixto36months)



Drug Rehabilitation

Main purpose

Rehabilitation

What is it?

ARequirementtohavetreatmenttoreduceoreliminatedependencyonorpropensitytomisusedrugs,andtoberegularlytestedfordruguse.ProgressreviewsbytheCourtatintervalsofnotlessthanonemonthareoptionalforRequirementsofupto12monthsandaremandatoryover12months.


ASupervisionRequirementwillusuallybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupportexceptinlowseriousnesscases.AsubstancemisuseprogrammemayalsobeundertakenthroughaseparateProgrammeRequirement.


CannotbeimposedunlessSWMProbationTrusthasrecommendeditassuitablefortheoffenderandtheoffenderiswillingtocomply.TheCourtmustalsobesatisfiedthat:

• theoffenderisdependenton,orhasapropensity tomisusedrugs,andthisrequiresandissusceptible totreatment

• treatmentcanbearranged

Treatment need

Low—uptosixmonthsMedium—sixto12monthsHigh—12to36months



Alcohol Treatment

Main purpose

Rehabilitation

What is it?

SWMProbationTrustrecommendsalcoholtreatmentforthoseoffenderswhoaredependentonalcoholandrequireintensive/specialisttreatment(eitherresidentialornon-residential)toreducetheiralcoholintaketosafelimitsorbecomeabstinentfromalcohol.


ASupervisionRequirementwillusuallybeappropriatetoprovideadditionalsupport,exceptinlowseriousnesscaseswhenOrderswithasingleRequirementaremoreappropriate.AnATRisdesignedtobeintensiveanddeliveredalongsidesupervision,withnootherrequirementsapartfromhighestriskcases.




TheCourtmustbesatisfiedthat:

• theoffenderisdependentonalcohol, andmaybesusceptibletotreatment• theoffenderiswillingtocomply• treatmentcanbearranged

AlcoholTreatmentcannotbeimposedunlessSWMProbationTrusthasrecommendeditandtheoffenderiswillingtocomply.

Treatment need

Low—uptosixmonthsMedium—sixto12monthsHigh—12to36months

Alcohol Treatment



Supervision

Main purpose

Rehabilitation

What is it?

Requirestheoffendertoattendregularappointmentswiththeresponsibleofficeroranotherpersondeterminedbytheofficertopromoterehabilitation.Duringtheperiodofsupervision,SWMProbationTrustwillundertakeworkwiththeoffendertochangeattitudesandbehaviour,forexample:

• Monitorandreviewpatternsofbehaviour• Increasemotivation• Providepracticalsupporttoincreasecompliance withotherRequirements• Supportandreinforcelearning• DeliverpreandpostworkforAccreditedProgrammes


AProgrammeRequirementandanyofthethreeTreatmentRequirementsmaybeappropriatewheresupervisioncanprovideinitialmotivationalworkandsupport.InmanycasesitmaybeusedappropriatelytosupportanActivityRequirement.


Nospecificinformationisrequired.

Seriousness levels

Low—upto12monthsMedium—12to18monthsHigh—12to36months



Attendance Centre

Main purpose

Punishment

What is it?

Theoffendermustattendanattendancecentrefor12to36hours,withamaximumofthreehoursperattendanceandoneattendanceperday.Availablefor18-24yearoldsonly.


Thiswillberecommendedasastand-alonepunishmentforlowseriousnessoffences.Dependingontheoffender’sspecificneeds,supervisionmayalsobeconsidered.


TheCourtmustbesatisfiedacentreisavailableandaccessibletotheoffender.

Seriousness levels

Low—12to36hours



Foreign Travel Prohibition Requirement

Main purposes


What is it?

Note:Theseprovisionsonlyapplytooffencescommittedonorafter3December2012.

Thisrequirementisdefinedas:

“arequirementprohibitingtheoffenderfromtravelling,onadayordaysspecifiedintheorder,orforaperiodsospecified-

(a) toanycountryorterritoryoutsidetheBritish Islandsspecifiedordescribedintheorder,

(b) toanycountryorterritoryoutsidetheBritish Islandsotherthanacountryorterritoryspecified ordescribedintheorder,or

(c) toanycountryorterritoryoutsidethe BritishIslands”

So,itcanprohibittheoffenderfromtravellingtonamedcountries,prohibitforeigntravelexcepttospecifiedplaces,orprohibitforeigntravelaltogether.Theprohibitioncanbeonparticulardates/daysorgeneral.Sucharequirementcannotlastforlongerthan12months.



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.



What does the Programme entail?

TheCourtcanimposeacombinationofthefollowingrequirementsdependingonthespecificneedsidentifiedbythePre-SentenceReport(PSR)author.

Supervision requirement

AnOffenderManagerwillberesponsibleformonitoring,reviewingandmanagingtheoffender’sprogressontheprogrammeandensuringthatanynon-complianceisaddressedpromptly.TheSupervisionrequirementwillberecommendedforupto12months.

Curfew requirement

Thiscanbeimposedwheretheresidencerequirementisnotataprobationhostel.Thiswillcontroloffenders’movementsandcanbesetfordifferenttimestoeffectivelytargetandreducetheriskoffurthercrime.

Residence requirement

Arequirementforresidenceforupto3months.Thismaybeatasuitablehomeaddress(enforcedviaCurfew)oratanApprovedPremises(AP)iftheriskofharmwarrantssuchintenseintervention.ResidenceatanAPislikelytobeinexceptionalcircumstances,astheexpectationisthattheoffenderwillusetheirownaddress,orthatwhichisapprovedbyanOffenderManagerinthefirstinstance.

IftheresidencerequirementistobeatanAP,thiswillrequirea3-weekadjournmentsothattheoffender’ssuitabilityandabilitytocomplywithanAPregimecan




betested.TheywillalsoberequiredtocomplywithAPruleswhichincludeanightcurfew,andtopayfortheirboard.TheywillbemonitoredcloselybystaffandpromptedtocomplywithallrequirementsoftheICCP.

Unpaid Work requirement

AspartofICCP,offenderscanberecommendedtoundertakeunpaidworkfor2daysperweekandcompleteupto80hours.

A Specific Activity requirement to engage in restorative interventions

Aspartofthisrequirement,offendersareassessedregardingtheirsuitabilitytoundertakereparationworktoputrighttheharmtheyhavecausedtoothers.UnderthedirectionofaVictimLiaisonOfficer(VLO),offenderscouldmeetthevictimsoftheiroffencesshouldthosevictimssowishandwillengageinappropriatevictimempathywork.

Thisworkhasprovedtobevaluabletovictimsandeffectiveinenablingoffenderstoexaminetheirbehaviourandavoidfurtheroffending.Thisworkwillbeundertakenasaspecifiedactivityforupto12sessionsunderthedirectionofaVLOduringtheperiodofsupervision.




Accredited Programme requirement

IftheoffendermeetsthecriteriaforanAccreditedProgramme,thiscanbeincludedwithintheICCP.AttendancewillcommencequicklyaftertheOrderbeginsandwillbecontinuedaftertheresidentialelementendsifnecessary.

Theproposed Intensive Community ControlProgrammecanbemadeunderexistinglegislation.AlltherequirementsarecurrentlyavailableundertheCriminalJusticeAct2003.

• Residence Requirement Upto3monthsfortheICCP.

• Curfew Requirement Thiscanbeimposedfor2to16hoursinanyday foramaximumperiodof12months.Sentencers shouldspecifythelocationandthatthecurfew willbemonitoredelectronically.

• Supervision Requirement Upto12monthsfortheICCP.

• Activity Requirement Upto12sessionsforthepurposeofparticipating inreparationactivitiesunderthedirectionofaVictim LiaisonOfficeremployedbySWMProbationTrust.

• Unpaid Work Requirement Upto80hourstobecompletedattwodays perweek.

• Accredited Programme Requirement ToattendonecompletecourseoftheAccredited ProgrammeidentifiedbythePSRauthor.




Specified Activity:Structured Intervention to Address Domestic Abuse (SIADA)

SIADAisdesignedtobeusedwithmenwhoarenotsuitablefortheIntegratedDomesticAbuseProgramme(IDAP)orareunabletoaccesstheprogramme,e.g.becausetheycannotspeaksufficientEnglish.

Activity aims:

Themanualcontainsexerciseswhichaimtoenablethemantoidentifyandmakethechangesheneedstostophisabusivebehaviourtowardshispartner,ex-partnerorfuturepartner.

Who is suitable?

Thetargetgroupismenwhohavebeenin(orarecurrentlyin)intimateheterosexualrelationships.

MenwhoarelowriskorwhoarenotsuitablefortheIDAPprogramme.Thislattercategorycouldalsoincludemediumandhighriskmen.

Who is not suitable?

• Femaleoffenders• Offendersinsamesexrelationships• Menwhohavephysicallyabusedchildren (unlessalsopartofapatternofpartnerabuse)• Offenderswhohavebeenconvictedofdomestic violenceorabusewhoaresuitablefortheIDAP groupworkprogramme



The activity involves:

TheSIADAworkbookcontainsaseriesofupto21sessions(dependantonriskandneed),designedtobedeliveredwithmenwhohavecommittedanactofdomesticviolenceorabuse.Theprogrammeisdeliveredonaonetoonebasisorwithinasmallgroupsettingdependinguponcircumstances.

Legal Framework

SIADAshouldbeusedasaspecifiedactivityalongsideasupervisionrequirementduetoadditionalworkthatwillbeundertakenbytheoffendermanagere.g.liaisingwithsocialservicesiftherearechildprotectionissues.Theactivityisexpressedindaysuptoamaximumof21.


Specified Activity:Structured Intervention to Address Domestic Abuse (SIADA)


Suspended Sentence Order

What is it?

WhenaCourtimposesacustodialsentenceofbetween14daysandsixmonths,theCourtmaychoosetosuspendthesentenceforbetweensixmonthsand24months.Duringtheperiodofthesuspendedsentencetheoffendermaybeorderedtocomplywithanyoftherequirementsthatcouldbeattachedtoacommunityorder.Thecourtisnotobligedtoimposerequirements.

TheSentencingCouncilsays:“Becauseoftheverycleardeterrentthreatinvolvedinasuspendedsentence,Requirementsimposedaspartofthatsentenceshouldgenerallybelessonerousthatthoseimposedaspartofacommunitysentence.ACourtwishingtoimposeonerousorintensiveRequirementsonanoffendershouldreconsideritsdecisiontosuspendthesentenceandconsiderwhetheracommunitysentencemightbemoreappropriate.”

How does it work?

AbreachwouldresultinareturntoCourtforallorpartoftheoriginalcustodialsentencetobeimposedor,insomecases,theSuspendedSentenceOrdertobecontinuedbuttheRequirementsmademoreonerous.

TheSentencingCouncilstatesthat“thepresumptionisthatthesuspendedprisonsentencewillbeactivated(eitherwithitsoriginalcustodialtermoralesserterm)unlesstheCourttakestheviewthatthiswould,inallcircumstances,beunjust.Inreachingthatdecision,theCourtmaytakeintoaccountboththeextenttowhichtheoffenderhascompliedwiththeRequirementsandthefactsof(any)newoffence.”



Bail Information

StaffordshireandWestMidlandsProbationTrusthasanumberofdedicatedBailInformationOfficersbasedacrossthearea.TheirroleistoprovideverifiedinformationaboutdefendantstoassisttheCourtinmakingdecisionsonbail.

TheBailInformationOfficerliaiseswiththeCrownProsecutionServicetolookatanyobjectionstobail.Insomecasesitmaybepossibletoaddresstheseconcernsbyestablishingsomefactsaboutthedefendant’scircumstancesandproposedbailaddress.Thiswilloftenincludegettingconfirmationontheavailabilityofanaddressand,whereappropriate,assessingsuitabilityforabailcurfewrequirement.Otherfactorspertainingtobailwhichcanbeverifiedincludeemployment,educationandtrainingbeingundertakenandcurrentlinkstosupportagenciessuchasdrug,alcoholorhealthservices.

ThepurposeofaBailInformationReportistoprovideindependentinformationhighlightingfactorswhichmaysupportabailapplication,whilstbalancingthesewithanyidentifiedriskfactorstoensurethatpublicprotectionproceduresareupheldatalltimes.

IfadefendantdoesnothaveasuitableaddressthentheycanbeassessedforeligibilityforeithertheBailAccommodationSupportService(BASS)orApprovedPremises.BASSisonlyavailabletothoseassessedaslowtomediumriskofharm.MaledefendantswhopresentahigherriskofharmcanbeconsideredforApprovedPremises.However,femaledefendantswithsignificantsupportneedscanbeconsideredforBASS,regardlessoftheirriskstatus.



Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS)

TheBailAccommodationandSupportService(BASS)hasbeendevelopedtopreventdefendantsenteringcustodyorremainingincustodyanylongerthanisnecessaryforreasonswhichcouldberesolvedthroughtheprovisionofsuitableandsupportedaccommodation.

SWMProbationTrustprovidesbailinformationreportsinallCourtsuponrequestfromtheCourtoralegaladvisor.

What is BASS?

BASScanprovidehousingtogetherwithsupport,orprovidesupportonlywheredefendantsareabletoliveintheirownhomes.Theprovisionlastsforthelengthofthebailperiodplussevendays.TheserviceismanagedbyStonham,thecareandsupportdivisionofHomeGroup,oneofthecountry’slargesthousingassociations.

What can the defendant expect to receive through BASS?

BASSaccommodationisavailablethroughoutStaffordshireandtheWestMidlands.Housingisbasedonshared,single-genderhouses,withuptofourresidents.Asingleparentwithdependantchildrencanbeaccommodatedinapropertyfortheirsoleuse.




ASupport Onlyserviceisalsoavailablefordefendantswhoalreadyhaveaccommodation.Itisdesignedtohelpadefendantto:

• Adheretobailconditions• Desistfromreoffending• Accessbenefitsandmedicalservices• Keepappointments• Applyforjobs,educationortraining• Improvelifeskills• Developanactionplan• Findmove-onaccommodation• Rebuildfamilycontacts.

OnesupportsessionaweekismandatoryandfurtherenforceablesessionscanbeorderedbytheCourt.AdditionalsessionswillbeprovidedbyStonhamtoaddressindividualneeds.

Thissupportisnotstatutorysupervision.Formalsupervisionwouldbeundertakenbytheoffendermanagerifthereisoneinplace,otherwisebailconditionsaremanagedbythepolice.




Bail conditions

DefendantsbailedtotheBASSprojectaresubjecttothefollowingrequirements:

• toattendmandatorycontactsessionswhichwill beonceaweekunlesstheCourthasrequiredmore. Afailuretoattendonesessionwithoutgoodreason willincurawarning.Afailuretoattendtwo sessionswithinanyperiodof21dayswill resultinbreach.

• paymentofrent.Ifarrearsbecomeexcessive Stonhamwillwithdrawtheaccommodation.

• tocomplywithrulesastobehaviourinthehouse, towardsstaff,otheroccupantsandneighbours. Stonhamwillseektosupportusersinaddressing behaviourbut,ifnecessary,willwithdraw theservice.

[Continuedoverleaf]




TheCourtmayimposeadditionalbailconditionse.g.electronicmonitoring.

Stonhammayalsowithdrawaccommodationatanytimeforgoodreason,e.g.housesharingrisks,andmayinitiatebreachoftheresidenceconditiononthisbasis.Stonhamwillalsoinitiatebreachactionwiththepoliceiftheresidenceconditionisbreachedthroughabsconding.

Breach of conditions

BreachofbailconditionsisdealtwithwhollybythepoliceandCourtsalthoughshouldthenatureofthebreachmakethedefendantineligibletheBASSplacementmaybewithdrawn.

IfanoffenderbreachesStonham’scorerulestheywillbeinbreachoftheCourt’sinstructions.



Eligibility

EligibilityforBASSexcludes:

• thoseconvicted/chargedwithasexualoffence mentionedinSchedule3totheSexualOffences Act2003

• thosewhoposeasignificantrisktothepublic (includingBASSstafforothersinasharedhouse)

• thoseunder18yearsofageorthoseunable topayrentorclaimhousingbenefit




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


Programme:


Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)


• 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.

Programme:



One to One (Staffordshire only)

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

Programme:



One to One (Staffordshire only)



• Offenderswhowouldnotmeetthelearning outcomesbecauseofseveredrugdependency

• Offenderswithlearningdifficultieswherethis inhibitsunderstandingofthematerials. Thisdoesnotnecessarilyincludethosewith literacydifficulties


• Onepre-programmemotivationalsession

• 21one-to-oneprogrammesessionsofbetween oneandone-and-a-halfhours.Thesefocusonskills tochangebehavioursuchasproblemsolving, antisocialattitudes,tacklingpressurestooffend, victimawareness,moralreasoningandself-awareness.

Programme:



RESOLVE

Programme aims:

Theprogrammeaimsaretohelpoffenders:

• Getabetterunderstandingofthemselvesandwhy theyaresometimesaggressiveorviolent

• Practisenewwaysofthinking,tohelpthemgeton betterinlife,withoutusingviolence

• Getabetterunderstandingofhowtheiremotions affectthem,andpractisewaystofeelmorein controloftheiremotions

• Identifytheirstrengthsandhowtousetheseto improvetheirlife

• Learnanddevelopskillstoimprovetheir relationshipswithotherpeople

Programme:



RESOLVE

Who is suitable?

Maleoffenderswho:

• haveacurrentviolentoffence• poseamediumtohighriskofre-offending• havebeenassessedassuitableinaPSR


• Offenderswithseriousmentalhealthproblems• Offenderswhoarealcoholdependant• Offenderswhocannotlearninagroupsetting• Iftheirviolencewastofunddruguse• Currentsexoffenders• Domesticviolenceoffenders


25sessionsofgroupandindividualsessionsofuptotwoandahalfhours.

Programme:



Community – Sex Offender Group Programme (C-SOGP)

Programme aims:

Toreduceoffendingbyadultmalesexoffenders.

Who is suitable?

• Adultmales(overtheageof21)withinthenormal IQrangewhocommitanytypeofsexualoffence (butinternetsexoffendersmayrequiretheInternet SexOffenderProgrammeISOTP.Thiswillbemade clearinthePreSentenceReport)

• OffenderswhoareassessedassuitableinaPSR


• Femalesexualoffenders• SexoffenderswithanIQoflessthan80• Menwithseveredrug/alcoholmisusebehaviour• Menwithcurrentmentalhealthproblems• Menassessedaspsychopathic


• 50-hourinductionmodule.Lowriskandsome mediumriskmenthengodirectlytoashorter BetterLivesProgramme

• Highriskmenundertakeupto175hoursof treatmentaccordingtotheirneeds.Mencanjoin atthebeginningofanymodule,withtheexception ofVictimEmpathy

• MenwhohavesuccessfullycompletedaPrison sexoffendertreatmentprogrammecangodirectly totheBetterLivesProgramme

Programme:



Internet Sex Offender Treatment Programme (i-SOTP)

Programme aims:

Toreducetheriskoffutureinternetsexualoffendingandriskofprogressiontocontactsexualoffending.

Who is suitable?

Theprogrammeisexclusivelyforinternet-onlyoffenderswhoareagedover21years.Theagedistinctionistominimisetheriskofrelativelyyoungeroffenderspossiblybeingadverselyinfluencedbyworkinginagroupofmorematureoffenders.

OffendersshouldbeinthenormalIQrange(80andover).OffenderswillentertheprogrammeasarequirementofaCommunityOrder(usuallythreeyearsinduration)orasaconditionofreleasefromprison.Theprogrammeisforlowandmediumriskoffenders.

Itisenvisagedthatif,inthecourseoftheprogrammeanoffender’streatmentneedsemergeasgreaterthanisapparentatthepre-sentenceassessment,therewouldbethefacilitytotransferoffendersfromthei-SOTPtooneoftheotheraccreditedsexoffendertreatmentprogrammes.

Programme:




• Femalesexoffenders• Menwithpreviousconvictionsforothertypes ofsexualoffences• Veryhighrisk/highdevianceoffenders• Menwithseveredrug/alcoholabuseissues• Menwithmentalhealthproblemssuchas psychopathy,schizophrenia,acutedepression• OffenderswhoareunabletospeakEnglish


Itisacognitivebehaviouraltreatmentprogrammewhichhasthefollowingcomponents:-

• Motivationalwork• Functionalanalysisofoffencebehaviour• Enhancingvictimawareness• Addressingcognitivedistortions• Relationshipandintimacyskills• Addressingproblematiccollectingandcompulsivity• Relapseprevention

Theprogrammecomprisessixmodules.Thegroupformathas35sessionsoftwohours’duration;sessionsaresupplementedbysubstantialhomeworkassignments.

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


• First-timeoffenders,unlessthereareaggravated circumstances• Thosewithfiveormorepreviousconvictions forexcessalcohol• Dependantdrinkersunlessstabilisedintreatment


• Fourindividualstructuredsessionsonrisk assessmentandgrouppreparation• 14weeklygroupworksessionsoftwo-and-a-half hoursfocusedonstructuredlearningtodevelop pro-socialskills,effectivedecisionmakingand detailedknowledgeabouttheeffectsofdrinking anddriving• Fourpost-programmeindividual,structured evaluationandrelapsepreventionsessions

Programme:



Building Skills for Recovery (BSR)

Programme aims:

BSRaimstoreduceoffendingbehaviourandproblematicsubstanceabusewiththeeventualgoalofrecovery.Thisisachievedbyexploringbothpreviousandcurrentsubstanceuse,inadditiontolearningskillstopreventrelapse.Inotherwords,itistheformulationofapersonalrecoverytoolkit.

Who is suitable?

Maleandfemaleoffenders:

• Whoareproblematicusersofoneormore substances,includingthosedependant uponalcoholonly

• Whohavebeenassessedasamediumto highriskofre-offending

• Forwhomsubstancemisuseincreasesthe likelihoodofanytypeofcrime



• Offenderswhocannotlearninagroupsetting

• Offenderswhodonotscore4ormoreonthe SeverityofDependenceScaletool.


Amoreindividualisedresponsethantheprogrammeitreplaces(OffenderSubstanceAbuseProgramme(OSAP)).Offenderscompleteacoreof16groupsessions,plusadditionalsessionsbaseduponneed.

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:

• havebeenviolent/abusiveinaheterosexual relationship• havebeenassessedasamediumtohighriskfor relationshipviolenceasindicatedbyseverity and/orpatternofabuseusingtheSpousalAbuse RiskAssessment(SARA)• havecommittedatleastoneactofviolenceagainst anintimatepartner

Programme:



• arewillingtosignaconsentformwhichwillinclude thesharingofrelevantinformationwiththe offender’sspouse/partner• areassessedassuitableinaPSR


• Femaleoffenders• Offendersinsamesexrelationships• Offenderswithseriousmentalhealthproblems• Offenderswhoarejudgedunabletomeetthe learningoutcomesbecauseof,forexample,severe drugdependency


• contactwiththevictimand/orcurrentpartner byawomen’ssafetyworker• riskmanagementthroughcontinualassessment andinformationsharingwithotheragencies includingthepolice• groupworkandindividualsessionswith theoffender– fourindividualpre-programmesessions– arollingprogrammeof27two-hourgroupwork sessionsandsixindividualsessions– atleastfourrelapsepreventionsessionswith thecasemanager

Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP)

Programme:



Low Intensity Alcohol Programme (LIAP)

Programme aims:

LIAPexaminestheeffectsofalcoholandhowemotionscanlinktoalcoholuseandmisuse.Theprogrammeispredominantlyaimedatoffenderswhosepooremotionalcontrolcanleadtodrinking,resultinginoffending.

Who is suitable?

MenandwomenforwhomalcoholisafactorrelatingtooffendingbutarenotalcoholdependantareeligibleforLIAP.Theseoffenderswillusuallyexhibitpooremotionalrecognitionandcontrol.


Anybodywhosedependency/addictionistheinstigatingfactorinoffending,ratherthanproblemswithemotionalcontrol.Alsoanyonewithahistoryofimpulsive,violentoffendingandprolificoffendingwithanalcoholdependencywouldnotbesuitableforLIAP.

Programme:



Low Intensity Alcohol Programme (LIAP)


Offenderswillattend14two-hourgroupsessionsoversevenweeks,oronesessionaweekover14weeks.Amaximumof12offenderscanparticipateineachgroupsession.

Programme:



FormoreinformationabouttheworkofSWMProbationTrustinyourlocalarea,

visit:www.swmprobation.gov.uk

The Sentencer Portal is an e-learning website accredited by the Judicial College. By completing all of the modules you will

receive one and a half hours towards Magistrates’ Continuation Training.

To register for the Sentencer Portal visit:

www.swmprobation.gov.uk/ sentencerportal/register

or scan the QR code below with a smartphone.


FormoreinformationabouttheworkofSWMProbationTrustinyourlocalarea,

visit:www.swmprobation.gov.uk

The Sentencer Portal is an e-learning website accredited by the Judicial College. By completing all of the modules you will

receive one and a half hours towards Magistrates’ Continuation Training.

To register for the Sentencer Portal visit:

www.swmprobation.gov.uk/ sentencerportal/register

or scan the QR code below with a smartphone.


Documents

Probation Bench Guide - Swmcrc...About this Guide Probation Bench Guide - March 2013 About this Guide This guide is designed to give magistrates summary information about the services