The Crime Diversion Scheme
There are 2 main drivers that the Crime Diversion Scheme works to, the rehabilitation of offenders and the prevention of crime amongst young people.
The majority of young people attending the project have been identified as being at risk of offending. Many of those who visit the Crime Diversion Scheme are already committing offences and are known to police, youth offending teams (YOTs) and courts. A percentage of young people are referred to the project as a last measure before a custodial sentence is enforced.
The unique part is that it is the inmates themselves who work with the young people and gain valuable qualifications at the same time. Specialist providers deliver NVQ level 2&3 training together with Child Protection training to enable safe and effective working practice. Inmates also take part in professionally run theatre training sessions and use performing arts to communicate with the young people attending the events. The benefits for the inmates are enormous; many receive a recognised NVQ qualification which holds real value when seeking paid employment after release.
For the young people that take part in the project it is a wake up call to a possible road that lies ahead for them. The day-long workshops demonstrate the harsh reality of prison life and inmates give a harrowing detailed account of how they ended up inside. Young people take part in a range of interactive activities and discussions aimed at helping them to choose a life other than crime.
Crime Diversion Scheme typically facilitates a number of interventionist activities within a weekly program. These include a Tuesday interactive drama event, within the prison, to illustrate the impact of crime on all those involved. On a Wednesday, the inmates provide small group sessions based on the needs of young people, e.g. drug use, bullying and violence. On a Friday some young people who have already been to court in Surrey are placed on the ‘Can Do’ programme. The course runs for a number of weeks and is facilitated by some of the men together with the Youth Offending Team Manager. Groups, run with assistance of inmates, may include up to 35 participants and are usually weekly.
Through the Crime Diversion Scheme inmates can now use their release on temporary licence (ROTL) to work full-time with selected youth agencies as part of the work placement scheme. The main output is that through real workplace experience, offenders will gain skills and competencies desired by future employers, which will ultimately lead to greater employability.
Voluntary youth organisations and YOTs benefit greatly from having a full-time worker with dedicated skills and experience. Agencies and staff taking part in the work placement scheme also develop lasting skills around diverting young people at risk of offending and those already involved in committing crime.
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