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Community order

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Rainbow

Member since
January 2019

282 posts

Posted Thu April 4, 2019 12:36pmReport post

Hi

I'm slightly confused. My husband has a community order from the court but on it it just says that. There is nothing on it about the list of requirements. Is there another document he should have? Probation haven't said or given him anything. Hes been attending for a while now and then suddenly this woman met him and said he has to go on a course. Its 1 hours drive away. Can he ask if theres anything closer?

SallyBlue

Member since
March 2019

252 posts

Posted Fri April 5, 2019 1:54pmReport post

Hi Rainbow, the course is the community order. Much like community service. He will gave a set time to complete the course, usually 3 years, but on average it takes 18 months. The rest of the time he will have to report to the parole or social worker he is appointed to.

The courses are in set places so it's unlikely he can get one closer. My husband was an hour away from his too. He was given a bus pass each week for it. The place he went to done the whole region so some travelled up to 90 miles. Its normally a rolling course so he will get in as another finishes. It took my husband 6 months after his prison release to start there was a lot of psych work to do first. It was then decided which group of men he would be involved with. There were 2 courses running at any one point with 12 men on each. Although a spot opened in one group it wasnt an appropriate setting for him.

Rainbow

Member since
January 2019

282 posts

Posted Sat April 6, 2019 10:22amReport post

Oh I see, thanks.

You would expect an official document to be more specific though. Usually in situations like this this is the first time and everyday people dont know what to expect. I'm surprised his probation didn't go through this. Also surprised hes been assessed as medium risk even though evidence shows he visited a normal legal site 5 times. I just dont understand it. Would there be a possibility that the 3 years can be shortened? Like say in prison not everyone usually does their full sentence.



Thanks

SallyBlue

Member since
March 2019

252 posts

Posted Mon April 8, 2019 11:00amReport post

As far as I'm aware 3 years is standard and it can't be shortened. It can be extended though if he doesn't finish the programme to satisfaction. Certain modules can be repeated and I have heard of someone having to repeat the whole programme.

Medium risk is very common at the start. The way they work is on a points based system, it had so many parts to it. Don't worry if it occasionally spikes. Things such as moving home and even lack of friendships can make it peak. Until he has completed his rehabilitation it is unlikely he will be lowered. He will be assessed a lot during the 3 years. He wont ever be "no risk" whilst he is on the register. It can be really frustrating at times but he will eventually be lowered.

Rainbow

Member since
January 2019

282 posts

Posted Sun April 14, 2019 9:00amReport post

Hi

Apparently the probation officer said they review the situation after the course has finished and then apply to the court if need be to get the order reviewed. So I guess we will wait and see what happens. The course is a good thing but its every week and I'm worried that an issue might arise when he cant attend.

SallyBlue

Member since
March 2019

252 posts

Posted Fri April 19, 2019 10:23amReport post

If he has a legitimate reason why he can't attend then it wont be a problem. Illness, holidays etc are accepted. It would only be if he refused to go as he couldn't be bothered that would cause him problems. My husband didn't take any off but they didnt run the course during public holidays and such like.