John Hill introduced the item and explained that the report focusses on integrated offender management and summarises recent changes in legislation. Rehabilitation is concerned with reducing repeat offending. The Probation Service provides advice and support in this area. The Safer Merton Team work in partnership with the Probation Service and Police to manage offender rehabilitation with the objective of reducing opportunity for repeat offending. 

John Hill explained that the introduction of significant changes to the probation system recently introduced by central government meant that opportunities have been created so that the rehabilitation of offenders can now be provided by a diverse range of providers for low and medium risk offenders.   On an annual basis 45,000 offenders are released into the community nationally. The current system allows for offenders to be released without any rehabilitation plan in place to reduce the likelihood of repeat offending. The changes introduced by government will create a “Through the Gate” service to coordinate the resettlement of offenders sentenced to less than 12 months custody. In London this will apply to around 8,000 offenders per year. The resettlement plan will include accommodation, employment, financial and health advice. This programme is intended to break the cycle of reoffending. The changes are currently being rolled out. Although early in the process, it is expected that the new initiative will have resource implications for all agencies involved in the rehabilitation process including the Council. John Hill added that he was happy to bring back an update report in due course on how the council have responded and how well they are performing in this area.

The Chair asked how many offenders would be under the councils care. Janet Pinkney explained that the numbers were not fixed as yet and that the demand on services could not be fully anticipated until this was the case. The council has no additional resource to rehabilitate and can only work with the probation service and police on this.

The Chair asked what length of time the council would be responsible for rehabilitation. Janet Pinkney explained that the council and police are involved in the assessments and meetings prior to release and for 12 months after leave, when an evaluation will be taken as to extending this supervision.

John Hill explained that the rehabilitation contract for London had been awarded to MTC Novo who have a long track record in rehabilitation and offender management.  They tailor rehabilitation based on the characteristics of the offender.

A Member asked if employment was offered to those being rehabilitated. John Hill stated that this could be the case and that there are a number of opportunities that the council working together with partner agencies could explore to offer employment, for example, through apprenticeships.

A Member asked if youth offender management was separate. Janet Pinkney confirmed that this was the case.

Chris Lee explained that in relation to probation, the council are a partner and do not commission these services. Probation may be devolved to a London wide level in due course. The council does not have a statutory responsibility.  Its role is to work alongside the probation service and police. Chris Lee suggested that the Commission may wish to bring MTC Novo along to a future meeting to look at their programme. The Chair agreed.

RESOLVED:

·         Ask MTC Novo and Probation Service to a future meeting of the Commission.

·         Janet Pinkney agreed to bring back information on the likely number of offenders the council would be working with to a future meeting.