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Website URL : http://www.saferswansea.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=19249
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Alcohol & Drugs

image depicting Drugs liaison officer Alan Murphy and CJIT case-worker Ian Williams.

Repeat offenders are getting help - Swansea's persistent offenders trapped in a cycle of substance misuse and crime are getting help.

 Through a newly-established Criminal Justice Integrated Team (CJIT) some of the city's Prolific and Other Priority Offenders (PPO) are turning their lives around.

CJIT case workers and the police are approaching Swansea's PPOs who have substance misuse issues to inform them of CJIT, which is a voluntary service, while in prison and at their homes.

The response has been positive and eight PPOs out of a potential 16 that have identified substance misuse issues have started treatment so far. There are 43 PPOs in Swansea altogether.

PPOs can be referred to the service by the police, probation, prison and other agencies, as well as self-referral. First contact is made with the offender before they leave prison so that a unique care plan can be devised ready for their release.

Once released from prison, the CJIT case worker supports the individual through the 14-week programme.

In that time the programme offers intensive interventions ranging from prescribing to get the client off illegal drugs, one-on-one counselling as well as practical help to find housing and employment.

CJIT has been up and running for six months with the PPO support strategy being a new service for Group4Securicor (G4S), the service provider for CJIT in Swansea.

The programme is run nationally by the Drug Intervention Programme (DIP) Initiative and is aimed at stopping the trend of offenders falling back into their old routine of drug taking and committing crime once released back into the community.

CJIT case worker Ian Williams said: "The most vulnerable time for a prisoner is the first week after they leave prison so it is really important that they have support as soon as they are released.

"I go to visit PPOs with the police drugs liaison officer Alan Murphy at their homes or while they are still in prison to inform them of the service and what it offers.

"Most PPOs are so busy committing crime and taking drugs they don't have time to stop and see what services are available. By putting it under their noses, we're showing them how their lives could be different."

Drugs liaison officer PC Alan Murphy said: "The police and other agencies in the Safer Swansea Partnership recognise that we need to do more than treat the symptoms of the problem if we are going to achieve permanent and real crime reduction. This is not a soft approach whatsoever. If they don't choose to take the help we are offering and continue in their life of crime, they will be sent straight back to prison and continue to be closely monitored by the police PPO team."

G4S CJIT is strongly supported by the Safer Swansea Partnership, which recognises the importance of giving offenders the help they need to get off drugs and change their life patterns.

Safer Swansea Community Safety Coordinator Jeff Davison said: "Sending offenders to prison time and time again is not actually solving the root of crime problems. As soon as a PPO is released from prison, many are straight back to committing crime.

"PPOs are responsible for a lot of the total crime committed in Swansea varying from violence, auto crime, burglary and drug-related offences. By showing those with substance misuse issues a different way we hope to see a change in their behaviour and a reduction in crime, making Swansea an even safer place."

Superintendent Julian Williams said: "It is important for the public to realise that this is not a soft approach to dealing with prolific offenders. The long term aim is to re-integrate people back into society without them falling back into their criminal lifestyle, which impacts on the wider community and their family.

"If these people do not take advantage of the support given to them and commit criminal acts they will be dealt with in the appropriate manner."

The G4S CJIT team has forged close links with existing drug services, probation, housing, Progress to Work, the Swansea Prison drug treatment service CARAT and many more agencies.
© 2010 City and County of Swansea