Programmes

 Probation Programmes are courses for offenders who must attend when ordered by a Court or as a condition of a Prison release licence. The programmes target different kinds of offending behaviour with the aim to teach people how to look at their behaviour and learn how they can make changes to avoid re-offending.

There is an increasing range of programmes being developed and accredited by the Home Office's Prison and Probation Joint Accreditation Panel. In Lancashire we piloted the development of 'Addressing Substance Related Offending' programme for its introduction nationally.

Offenders are assessed by probation staff for their suitability to undertake a specific programme as the best approach to deal with offending behaviour. Programmes are mostly run as group sessions. Probation Programme leaders work with a group of offenders in a course of regular sessions (at least two hours each session) totalling more than 50 hours. Each offender has individual work before starting the course and afterwards. This is to assess progress in changing attitude and behaviour.

Programmes that are delivered in Lancashire are:

• Think First
  Suitable for: male and female offenders. A cognitive skills group programme designed to change thoughts, attitudes and values behind criminal behaviour. Offenders must attend 55 hours in group sessions plus starter and follow-up sessions.
• Addressing Substance Related Offending
  Suitable for: Offenders whose offences are linked to alcohol and/or drugs. It is a cognitive behaviour programme that looks at reducing substance abuse and preventing re-offending. Its focus is on changing attitude and solving problems.
• Drink Impaired Driving
  Suitable for: Offenders aged 18 and over and sentenced for: Offences of driving with excess alcohol or linked offences. This programme involves a total of 23 sessions on an individual or group basis.
• Sex Offending
  Suitable for: adult male offenders whose victims are children. Specialist assessment is required for this intensive programme.
• Domestic violence
  Probation Pre-Sentence Report identifies any offender likely to be suitable for this programme which is not yet nationally accredited.

Click here to see leaflets that we provide to offenders about Court Orders and Probation Programmes.