Hertfordshire has been selected to take part in a pilot scheme which could significantly reduce the likelihood of people re-offending by giving them the best chance of getting a job.
The East of England region is one of just two regions in the UK to have been chosen by cross Government departments, the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the
Ministry of Justice, to pilot re-offending reduction schemes.
A partnership of offender, youth, employment and government bodies will work together to promote best practice in prisons and in the community and consult with employers over the duration of this eighteen month project.
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Figures from The Cabinet Office show that in 2006/7 49 per cent of offenders in Hertfordshire were in employment.
The Test Bed project will work to increase this percentage by assessing the skills and training available.
Diana Edwards, Test Bed Project Manager, said: "All the indications are that having a job is the single most important element to having a crime-free life.
"We must provide offenders with the skills and other support they need to find and keep work if we are to have any hope of reducing re-offending rates."
The Test Bed project will work by assessing the needs of the labour market and the current skills of offenders to identify people who would benefit from practical training and other support designed to get them ready for employment and secure better jobs.
Under the Test Bed project, funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, offenders will receive personalised information, advice and guidance and will be offered a range of training opportunities which could include literacy and numeracy skills, enterprise and self-employment training, and practical work experience with skills training.
Diana Edwards added: "To have a job can give hope and dignity to people, and employers can benefit from filling vacancies in sectors where there are skills shortages. It makes economic sense for Hertfordshire to have people in work rather than going back to prison."
Posted by: Corrective Party, ready to assist at Southampton docks on 12:50am Thu 24 Apr 08
I agree, what a total waste of time , money and resources!
I have a better idea! simply ship the criminal scum off to far away holiday destinations for long periods ... at least while not on UK soil they're unable to inflict their nasty habits on the decent citizens of this country!
As far as cost goes, I'd bet it's lot cheaper than the pea-brained ideas the "do-gooder" brigade come up with!
Sorted! :)
I agree, what a total waste of time , money and resources!
I have a better idea! simply ship the criminal scum off to far away holiday destinations for long periods ... at least while not on UK soil they're unable to inflict their nasty habits on the decent citizens of this country!
As far as cost goes, I'd bet it's lot cheaper than the pea-brained ideas the "do-gooder" brigade come up with!
It is with much regret that in 2008 I find myself reading comments such as those made above. It further demonstrates the level of ignorance that exists on such issues.
I can only recommend that those who wrote the comments do some basic research on the subject and see just how much money is being wasted by the current system, money that should be spent in other ways on our young people, the elderly, pensions and education. Anything that reduces re-offending and enables people to become net contributors to society must be applauded. Simply locking people up does not achieve this. Getting them into work and paying Taxes does. Well done Hertfordshire.
It is with much regret that in 2008 I find myself reading comments such as those made above. It further demonstrates the level of ignorance that exists on such issues.
I can only recommend that those who wrote the comments do some basic research on the subject and see just how much money is being wasted by the current system, money that should be spent in other ways on our young people, the elderly, pensions and education. Anything that reduces re-offending and enables people to become net contributors to society must be applauded. Simply locking people up does not achieve this. Getting them into work and paying Taxes does. Well done Hertfordshire.
If you Google Trevor Philpott I think you will find he has a vested interest in this issue (and, no, he's not the Trevor Philpott who used to be on telly, that one died in 1998). THIS Trevor Philpott, according to a story in the Grauniad (sorry, Guardian) in 2005 wants money to carry on a scheme for rehabilitating young offenders in Exeter that the government closed down.
Whilst I obviously have to agree with him that anything that reduces re-offending is a good thing, I would suggest the best deterrent to re-offending is a far, far tougher regime whilst they are in prison for the first time round. I'd like to see them locked up and deprived of all but the most basic facilities, i.e. food, a bed and a loo. No TV, no DVDs, no mobile phones, no letters in or out and visits from outside limited to the absolute minimum, say just one in the course of a 12-month sentence. In effect, no contact with the outside world, plus an exercise and punishing work regime that would leave them crawling into their beds at night gasping for breath and in tears. Now, THAT really would concentrate their minds and leave them thinking more than twice about re-offending when they are eventually released!
Prison is supposed to be for punishment, not a holiday camp. And none of this rubbish about human rights - people abrogate their rights when they commit their crimes.
If you Google Trevor Philpott I think you will find he has a vested interest in this issue (and, no, he's not the Trevor Philpott who used to be on telly, that one died in 1998). THIS Trevor Philpott, according to a story in the Grauniad (sorry, Guardian) in 2005 wants money to carry on a scheme for rehabilitating young offenders in Exeter that the government closed down.
Whilst I obviously have to agree with him that anything that reduces re-offending is a good thing, I would suggest the best deterrent to re-offending is a far, far tougher regime whilst they are in prison for the first time round. I'd like to see them locked up and deprived of all but the most basic facilities, i.e. food, a bed and a loo. No TV, no DVDs, no mobile phones, no letters in or out and visits from outside limited to the absolute minimum, say just one in the course of a 12-month sentence. In effect, no contact with the outside world, plus an exercise and punishing work regime that would leave them crawling into their beds at night gasping for breath and in tears. Now, THAT really would concentrate their minds and leave them thinking more than twice about re-offending when they are eventually released!
Prison is supposed to be for punishment, not a holiday camp. And none of this rubbish about human rights - people abrogate their rights when they commit their crimes.
The only jobs that these people go on are the ones that got them put inside in the first place. Lock up the scum and throw the key away. That is a sure way to stop them reoffending.
The only jobs that these people go on are the ones that got them put inside in the first place. Lock up the scum and throw the key away. That is a sure way to stop them reoffending.
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