Wednesday 22nd February 2012 | 11:27:am
| Integrated Offender Management |
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Targeting prolific offenders to break their cycle of crime Most crime in a community is carried out by a small number of prolific offenders. IOM brings together organisations from the public, private and voluntary and community sector to tackle prolific offenders through intensive programmes combining rehabilitation and enforcement.
The IOM team works with offenders at high risk of re-offending to support changes in offender behaviour and remove issues which influence offending.That support can range from assistance in finding accommodation, obtaining training and employment, right through to anger management and treatment for substance misuse. If offenders commit further crimes, they will be swiftly caught and brought to justice. Without help to break the cycle of crime many offenders spend large parts of their lives revolving around the criminal justice system. Causing harm to themselves, their families and the communities they live in as well as costing the taxpayer huge amounts of money. The IOM team in Bedfordshire runs three programmes, each of which manages different types of offenders. All programmes use a risk based approach to management to ensure an appropriate and cost effective balance between rehabilitation and enforcement is used.
What does it cost? IOM doesn't cost any extra. Local agencies have joined forces and worked out how to get more for their money by working together to tackle the same problems. Does it work? IOM launched in Bedfordshire in June 2011 with funding for two years. The IOM approach has been piloted in Bristol, Lancashire, Nottingham, West Yorkshire and West Midlands since 2008 and has been rolled out successfully in other areas such as Norfolk and Manchester. Results are positive with a reported 39.4% reduction in crime for Manchester IOM offenders and 28.3% reduction in burglary, robbery and vehicle crime for Bristol IOM offenders. Can you help? The IOM team seeks help from organisations who could provide support in any of the re-offending pathways - i.e. factors that influence someone's likelihood of re-offending.
If your organisation is able to help rehabilitate or resettle offenders in Bedfordshire (including Luton), please contact: Sara Abra, Bedfordshire IOM Support Officer Bedfordshire Probation Trust Head Office, 3 St Peter's Street, Bedford MK40 Tel: 01234 227561 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
IOM Contact Sara Abra Bedfordshire IOM Support Officer Bedfordshire Probation Trust Head Office, 3 St Peter's Street, Bedford MK40 Tel: 01234 227561 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Useful links
Linda Hennigan, Senior Responsible Officer for Bedfordshire IOM and Chief Executive of Bedfordshire Probation Trust, said: "IOM is about pooling local resources to cut crime and improve community safety. By working together we aim to change prolific criminals' entrenched ways, support reintegration into communities and reduce reoffending. This is not a soft option and offenders are held to account for the decisions they make. If they chose to offend, there will be swift and robust enforcement." IOM News releases July 2011: New programme launched to stop prolific offenders IOM Leaflets  IOM leafletProlific and Other Priority Offenders - Intensive Programme (PI) leaflet
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