Presentation Transcript

1. Electronic Monitoring The Scottish Experience 1998 - 2013 Norman Brown Communications Director
2. Electronic Monitoring in ScotlandEarly Origins Pilots in courts 1998 – 2002 three courts used during pilots evaluation by Scottish Executive and consultation with agencies National roll out 2002 Restriction of Liberty Orders available to all 49 Sheriff Courts Order to be imposed after full social work report on suitability Client to consent to order in court Alternative to custody stated in legislation Service delivered by private contractor End-to-end provision of both equipment and service
3. Structure of Service Stand alone Monitoring covering whole country including islands Consistent service delivered regardless of location Dual-skilled Monitoring Officers covering central belt responsible for Field & Monitoring Centre duties Field Officers covering remainder of Scotland including the Islands
4. Early Challenges Resistance from agencies to Electronic Monitoring the use of technology in working with offenders judiciary unclear about its place within the sentencing tariff the role of the private sector in offender supervision reluctance to form partnerships and share information questions regarding our motivation, ethos and values feeling at that time that RLO’s should not be rehabilitative viewing EM as a mechanistic process
5. Building links and developing the service Senior managers with a criminal justice background building trust. breaking down barriers proving our values promoting the service as ‘people before technology’ Links established with Association of Directors of Social Work introduction of pre-sentence information sharing. improved communication better awareness of risk and need helped to change agencies views of the contractor Commitment to raising awareness with partner agencies 1000 presentations about the service between 2002 – 2004 Promotion of partnership working a key and consistent message changes in legislation helped partnerships
6. Service Evolution Legislative changes: Probation, Parole and DTTO (2004) improved communication and partnerships Intensive Support and Monitoring Services (2005) opened the debate about monitoring for young people Home Detention Curfew (2006) controlling estate numbers with no support after release Community Payback Orders (2010) no condition for EM except after breach decrease in numbers and the potential for partnership work
7. Where are we now? RLO live caseload April 2013: 360 (13% drop from 2006) Legislative changes did increase numbers (over 700 now monitored) However the majority of EM cases are stand alone Partnership working suffered No processes for pre-sentence risk/need information sharing Contractor on the outside looking in Awareness or confidence in service has fallen The potential flexibility of EM in stand alone cases seems to have been forgotten
8. The way forward Promote the importance of assessments Highlight the flexibility of monitoring length of orders incentives for positive response managing restrictions around socially inclusive commitments Demonstrate the balance that can be struck between electronic monitoring and other interventions Promote proportionality in terms of the use of monitoring Use electronic monitoring as part of supervision with interventions designed to bring about rehabilitation and to support desistance. Identify legislation which affords this approach to be used Be innovative around the application of electronic monitoring – consider voluntary pilots
9. Change the thinking Listen to feedback from monitored persons – they help us appreciate outcomes and the impact of restrictions. Assess the potential for curfews to: alter lifestyles change the addiction cycle allow for disengagement with peers impact upon families Promote within the justice community Be more innovative with orders (times/days/locations) Commission evidence based research to fully understand and legitimise the impact of orders and outcomes
10. The role of the service provider We cannot be on the outside looking in We must embrace the values and practices evidenced by partner agencies within criminal and youth justice We must contribute to the debate of why people offend and issues of rehabilitation and desistance. This will come from leaders who integrate this into all aspects of the monitoring contract We have a duty of care to monitored persons but it also extends to the wider justice community We must focus on service delivery and bring innovative ideas to assist the monitored person in successfully completing their order or ensure a rigorously monitored licence which contributes to public safety.
11. Innovation – Adding value Re introduction of pre sentence information sharing exchange of information regarding risk and best practice helps improve the quality of assessments Texting service for young people and vulnerable adults Communicates at the right level within technology parameters of comfort increases compliance and reduces breaches Referrals to Intensive support in local areas for 16- 21 year olds if indicators suggest need and risk have to be addressed Mentoring and support for those on HDC offer support after release to improve compliance Raise awareness of GPS In line with plans for nationwide consultation and possible pilots.
12. Summary The future of EM in Scotland If the use of technology does grow it doesn’t have to mean more control It depends upon the uses to which such technologies are put Legislation which encourages partnerships will help determine its use As will the contractor evidencing the ethos and values of the sector and commitment to joint working Will future procurement evaluate the track record and commitment of organisations to demonstrate these values?
13. Contact details norman.brown@uk.g4s.com angela.smith@uk.g4s.com