Criminals serving community orders for low-level offences will be closely monitored by judges as part of a new pilot forcing offenders to clean up their acts or be put behind bars
The ‘Intensive Supervision Courts’ form part of a tough new community sentencing approach to tackle the root causes of offenders’ behaviour, help them change their ways and cut reoffending.
Through the pilot - launched in Liverpool and Teesside this week - when an offender is sentenced, the judge will order them to attend regular review meetings to check they are abiding by the requirements of their community sentence. Birmingham Magistrates’ Court will also be in the pilot focusing on female offenders and the underlying issues which drive their offending.
Offenders will also have access to specialist drug and alcohol treatment to help them tackle the substance misuse which could be driving their criminality.
At the same time, they will receive intensive supervision from the Probation Service which could include frequent and random drug testing.
They will also have support accessing education, employment and housing.
Failure to engage, continued substance misuse or refusal to attend the follow-on meetings with the judge could mean the offender faces increased drug testing or is sent to prison.
Judges will also use privileges such as relaxing conditions to recognise good progress.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk MP KC, said:
The pilot, which forms part of the government’s 10-year Drug Strategy, was made possible following the government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Act 2022, with a statutory instrument laid in Parliament last month to launch the 18-month pilot.
The pilot is based on evidence that approaches such as this can reduce reoffending. Similar schemes have already been launched internationally and trialled in the UK, including successful initiatives in the West Midlands.
Studies show that getting offenders to confront their addiction through specialist support helps drive down their chance of committing further crimes. A US study on the long-term effect of a similar problem-solving approach saw 25% fewer drug charges over a 15-year period.
Ben, 31, was handed a 3-year community sentence and was required to take part in a programme which uses some of the problem-solving elements that will also be used in the new Intensive Supervision Court pilot. He said:
Phil Bowen, Director for the Centre of Justice Innovation, said: