The above named project was founded by a collaboration between HMP Acklington and Durham Probation Area. All of the North-East Region Probation Areas are now involved in the scheme. Evaluation of the project also benefits from the partnership between the Psychology Unit at Durham Probation, Dominic Pearson, and the Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Psychology at York University. In particular Professor Cynthia McDougall and Professor Roger Bowles add their expertise to the project.

The thrust of the project is an evaluation of the advice that might be given to Offender Managers in relation to the institutional behaviour of Vulnerable Prisoners. This is to assist with post-release risk management. The project also involves an economic evaluation of the costs and benefits of the information sharing.

The project began in November 2007 and will require approximately one year to gather and report its results. However, we expect to be able to share guidance in relation to the implementation and method of evaluation of similar schemes in other Establishments at an earlier stage. This may take the form of a dissemination event.

Hazel Willoughby
Director of Public Protection
Durham and Teesside Probation Services
February 2008

The Salvation Army, Dene Street, in Horden, has been given a make-over thanks to the hard work of offenders sentenced to Unpaid Work in the Community.

The metal railings which circle the building on Dene Street had fallen into disrepair and were in need of a new coat of paint, but without funding or manpower the much needed work could not be done.

John Barnett Chairman of the Horden Colliery Residents Association and Vice Chairman or the Horden Regeneration Partnership, along with Captain Michael Leonard of the Salvation Army, contacted Durham Probation Service to see if they could help after hearing about other Unpaid Work projects in the Horden area.

Following an assessment by Paul Andrew, Unpaid Work Supervisor, groups of offenders began cleaning and painting the railings using undercoat and gloss paint donated by Tony Steel from Craigside Painting.

Groups of five offenders visited the site once a week over a six week period and completed over 200 hours of unpaid labour.

John said: “I heard about the services of the Unpaid Work Unit through a friend and was delighted when they agreed to help. They have worked hard and done an excellent job and everyone involved is really pleased with the end result. Thanks must also go to Craigside Painting for their generous donation.”

Sue Hine, Durham Probation Service Director for Unpaid Work, added: “The offenders worked very hard on this project which has enhanced the external area of the building which is what Unpaid Work in the community is about - getting offenders to pay back for their offences in a productive and useful way, which benefits everyone.”

A Community Payback plaque was presented to the Salvation Army to commemorate the work completed by offenders on Tuesday 16th October at 11.00am.

A new partnership project which aims to reduce re-offending through accredited training and qualifications has been developed between Durham Probation Service and Bishop Auckland College.

The project, which has been funded by Equal European money, gives offenders subject to Unpaid Work punishment in the community the opportunity to increase their chances of finding employment through training programmes, which are accredited through the National Open College Network (NOCN).

The programme of training is voluntary for offenders sentenced to Unpaid Work and is carried out alongside the community based reparation work, where offenders are punished by the courts for the offences they have committed.

In the first three months of the project, over 160 offenders, have enrolled on the course where they have the opportunity to complete an Individual Personal Learning Plan which builds on their existing experience and skills.

Modules currently available include Health & Safety Awareness, Work Experience, Developing a Personal Working Programme, Speaking & Listening Skills, Using & Maintaining Woodworking Tools and Use of Interior Decorative Paint Effects.

Sue Hine, Director of Interventions, explains the thinking behind the project: “Increasing the employability of offenders is recognised nationally as way to dramatically reduce re-offending. Through education and training coupled with the labour intensive work which is completed on community service projects, we can actually increase an individual’s chance of finding employment once they have finished their order. This means that person is less likely to return to a criminal lifestyle in the future.”

Robert Ball has been subject to a Community Order for the past seven months. He has been involved in various Unpaid Work projects removing graffiti, grass cutting, digging and fence building and was keen to take part in the training programme.

Robert began the training at the beginning of June and has now achieved the full Progression Award which consists of five modules, specialising in Horticulture.

Robert says: “I was keen to enrol on the training programme as I wanted to do something that would help me get a job in the future. The work I’ve done so far has really motivated me to maintain my own garden and learn more about things such as pest control and plant diseases. Now I’ve finished the courses I hope to use the qualifications to get a job in a warehouse or as a gardener.”

The National Probation Service County Durham has appointed a new Chairman of its Board, Sebert Cox OBE.

Mr Cox took up the appointment at the beginning of this month after the retirement of his predecessor, Professor Robert Williams, who had been Chairman for 6 years.

A recruitment drive to find a new Chairman and three Board Members began back in October 2006 and, after application and interview stages had been completed, three new appointments were made.

Mr Cox brings with him a wealth of experience in the public and private sector as well as some knowledge of the probation service thanks to over 30 years of direct Practitioner experience in Kent and Northumbria Probation Areas respectively

Between 1990 and the creation of the National Probation Service in 2001, Mr Cox was Development Advisor at the Home Office, with responsibility for Approved Hostels, the Probation Estate and Capital Funding of Projects in England and Wales, as well as being a member of the Modernisation Team.

On retirement from the Service in 2001 he became Senior Partner in Kingston Reid Consulting, a management consultancy working with Government, private and independent sector organisations.

As well as being the new Chairman of County Durham Probation Board, Mr Cox is Executive Chairman of Key Real Estate Limited; Non-executive Chairman of Newcastle and North Tyneside NHS Local Improvement Finance Trust; Associate Non-executive Director of the Places for People Group Ltd; and a Special Associate at Praxis Management.

Additionally, he is the Home Secretary's Representative on the Selection Panel for lay justices (Magistrates) and Independent Members of the Durham Police Authority and was honoured in 1994 for Service to the Home Office.

Mr Cox says of his new appointment: “I am delighted to have joined the County Durham Probation Board at such an important point in its history. Legislation currently going through Parliament promises to change the organisation’s status and potentially, how offender services are provided. The indications I have received so far are that everyone associated with probation in County Durham are positive about embracing change.”

He adds: “Meanwhile, there is equal commitment to maintaining the high standard of performance that has become a hallmark of the local service. My predecessor, Bob Williams, has set me a high performance water mark that I shall be working hard to reach.”

Also joining the Board is Maureen Rillands, a retired NHS Manager. Maureen studied for her MBA at Sunderland University and has a special interest in tackling reforms and making them work for change.

Norman Vaulks, joins the Board as a qualified accountant and the ex-Chief Executive of Sedgefield Borough Council. He hopes that his experience will help maintain Durham Probation Board's position as one of the best in the country.

Probation Board members are expected to serve between two and five days per month and Chairs are expected to serve two days a week. Appointments are for three years.