Family and Friends Forum

Treatment Programmes

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Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2547 posts

Posted Sun September 19, 2021 7:04amReport post

Due to Covid I know the education in prison is moving very slow. A year into his sentence my family member hasn't received a dot of education - I worry this could affect his mental health if it goes on much longer / he is so keen to move forward, which to me is the key to rebuilding his life.

When do treatment programmes begin in prison? As with education he is left in the dark as regards a time line. Is it left to nearer release time, will it be when he is released. With no information available / I would be grateful to hear other peoples experience of this. Thanks in advance.....

Edited Sun September 19, 2021 7:09am

Sarah ??

Member since
January 2021

177 posts

Posted Sun September 19, 2021 9:40amReport post

How long was his sentence? I think prisons have begun education again I just imagine there's staffing/resources/backlog issues.

I think your best course of action would be to speak with one of the charities who support families (Prisoners families is one, there are others) and ask for advice.



X

Notalone1970

Member since
May 2021

98 posts

Posted Sun September 19, 2021 10:45amReport post

Offender behaviour programmes are not run by educaton,its normal the programmes and interventions team. The issue is that not all prisons offer Horizon, iHorizon, Kaizon or healthy sex program, so depending on the prison they are in and the length of sentence, if they do not have the time to be relocated it is normally left until a person is released on licience to undertake the community versions of the courses. Sadly with the back log there was since the change in courses run in 2018 and covid, more and more people are being released from prison without any intervention from the programmes team. There was a report i read last year, ill have to try find it again, that was writen by probation that stated that due to the backlog with covid and more community/suspended sentences being given, and these crimes on the increase there is a posiblity that those convictied will complete there sentence and licience conditions having still not completed any offender behaviour programmes, as the report ended the system needs to be fixed and fixed fast before to many men are further let down by there system

Edited Sun September 19, 2021 10:46am

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2547 posts

Posted Sun September 19, 2021 12:19pmReport post

Comes up for parole in 2025 (littlehey). App Covid is an issue.

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2547 posts

Posted Mon September 20, 2021 1:58pmReport post

I have been in touch with the family support group which is linked to the prison. They kindly looked into it although education doesn't come under their umbrella. I have held back from phoning the number given but it's getting silly now with nothing happening - not even a work sheet!!!!! Time for me to ring....

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2547 posts

Posted Mon September 20, 2021 5:18pmReport post

Spoke to a very nice lady who took my fm name and said she's look into it - fingers crossed.

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2547 posts

Posted Mon September 27, 2021 6:31pmReport post

Hip hip..... at last, after a phone call to the prison and saying how lack of information about education and moving forward was affecting my sons mental health.

He has an appointment tomorrow, with the education dept plus a health check - already I hear optimisum in his voice. I think if they hear it from the outside they sit up a bit.... fingers crossed..... yet again....

Edited Mon September 27, 2021 6:36pm