Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation from Lucy Satchel-Day on the current position with the Community Rehabilitation Company for London.

Lucy Satchell-Day, Assistant Chief Officer:  Barking/Dagenham & Havering, The London Community Rehabilitation Company Limited, had attended the meeting and delivered a presentation on the current position with the new Community Rehabilitation Company.

The Sub-Committee had been informed that the Government’s rationale for reform had been:

·         The need to reduce reoffending rates;

·         The need to encourage new investment and new ways of working to fund a statutory service for those sentenced to under 12 months custody;

·         The need for greater flexibility to do what works;

·         To provide a greater diversity of providers; and

·         To allow market forces to drive right behaviours if rewards were based on outcomes.

The Ministry of Justice had run a procurement process, with contracts having been signed in December 2014. The service transition began in February 2015 when ownership of the London CRC transferred to MTCnovo.

MTCnovo was a joint venture involving:

·         MTC (Management & Training Corporation), a predominantly U.S. based social rehabilitation and justice company with expertise in improving lives and rehabilitating ex-offenders for over 30 years. Each year MTC helped tens of thousands of offenders learn new academic, technical, and social skills to become more employable and productive members of society;

·         novo – a consortium with public, private and third sector shareholders including:

o   RISE – a probation staff community interest company,

o   A Band of Brothers – a charity,

o   The Manchester College – a public sector education provider,

o   Thames Valley Partnership – a charity, and

o   Amey – a private company.

London was the largest of the 21 CRC’s with approximately 25,000 cases. Within Havering there were 1600 cases. Locally the CRC would be responsible for the management of all medium risk and low risk cases, excluding MAPPA, both in the community and custody. They would also be responsible for prison resettlement contracts to enable ‘through the gate’ services.

One of the biggest changes introduced under the Offender Rehabilitation Act was the concept of release on licence for those serving less than 12 months custodial sentences. Such offenders would now receive extended supervision periods as would those serving sentences up to 24 months. There would also be a new Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Offenders will be required to carry out supervised activities.

The change introduced by MTCnovo had been the introduction of a new operating model which included working with offenders in cohorts. These cohorts were from October 2015:

·         18-25 year old males;

·         26-49 year old males;

·         50+ males;

·         Women;

·         Mental health and intellectual disabilities (as the primary presenting need).

Community Payback would remain as a distinct service delivery arm.

The Sub-Committee thanked Lucy for her interesting and informative presentation.