Family and Friends Forum

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Thu June 30, 2022 6:49pmReport post

When do prisoners attend programmes to address their behaviour? Does anyone know?

My son has been in prison nearly two years and not a mention..... Does it happen near the end of a sentence or on realease?

Edited Thu June 30, 2022 6:54pm

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2402 posts

Posted Thu June 30, 2022 7:16pmReport post

Evening Smile

Hope you are all doing ok x

Where my son is they do have programmes but when talking to his support office she said they are a few years behind so there is a long wait ( very unusual for that in prison:-) ) however she said there were other courses he could do that will show he is working towards his behaviour that led him to offend so she will look in to it for him, she also mentioned that some programmes are done after they have been released again I find it so disturbing that they are locked away , no therapy ( my son was seeing a private one every week for 16 months before he was on remand and now in prison so has lost that help and support that he needed this is not the answer to helping our offenders xx

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Thu June 30, 2022 8:56pmReport post

Post deleted by user


Edited Sat July 2, 2022 10:02pm

Fatso

Member since
November 2019

107 posts

Posted Thu June 30, 2022 9:48pmReport post

Sorry to say but my son never got any help when in prison, he will now will be starting with safer lives .

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri July 1, 2022 4:13amReport post

Post deleted by user


Edited Sun July 3, 2022 5:35am

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri July 1, 2022 4:13amReport post

Post deleted by user


Edited Fri July 1, 2022 4:14am

Amilia121

Member since
January 2022

29 posts

Posted Fri July 1, 2022 4:24amReport post

My person is being released in 2 months after serving a 10 month sentence and has done absolutely nothing, not one thing to address why he ended up there. This has really shocked me. I thought they would have to do this. Apparently it hasn't even been discussed. I have no words to be honest.

I have no idea if he will have to do it on release and he seems to have been given mixed information so will have to wait and see.

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri July 1, 2022 11:52amReport post

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Edited Sun July 3, 2022 5:37am

SAL

Member since
December 2021

895 posts

Posted Fri July 1, 2022 4:04pmReport post

Before any involvement with the justice system I had some faith and belief in it. I genuinely thought there was support and rehabilitation.

How naive I was.

I'll be so angry if my person is deemed dangerous enough to be locked up for almost 2 years and have a lifetime SHPO and be on the SOR for life but not deemed at risk or needing any other rehabilitative work.

As Smile says, I think there is huge benefit to doing this whilst the "outside" world is fresh and before they are somewhat institutionalised.

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Fri July 1, 2022 4:16pmReport post

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Edited Sat July 2, 2022 10:02pm

Pregnantandscared

Member since
April 2021

140 posts

Posted Fri July 1, 2022 6:03pmReport post

This is what is so fundamentally wrong with the system. If a person gets a community order or suspended sentence then they will do the Horizon course or similar - my partner was sentenced at end of April, returns home to me and our baby in two weeks and starts his Horizon course in August.



Yet in prison they are so backlogged or not usually in for 5+ years so won't start a course.



plus once released from prison they are then not eligible for the Horizon course as it's only for those not incarcerated. They literally see that if they've done time inside then that's it, job done but they've given them no support at all.



it's appalling.

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2402 posts

Posted Fri July 1, 2022 8:36pmReport post

Just totally beyond belief :-( xx

Amilia121

Member since
January 2022

29 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 12:08amReport post

Am I getting this correct the horizon course is only for people who got a suspended sentence.. So there is no courses for people who have done a prison sentence. How is this supposed to help anyone. Feeling a bit annoyed right now.

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 6:57amReport post

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Edited Sat July 2, 2022 10:03pm

Pregnantandscared

Member since
April 2021

140 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 12:09pmReport post

Hi Amilia,

Yes that's what we got told by my partners probation - that if they go to prison they can't do the Horizon course as it's assumed they've done work in prison instead, but we all know they don't get any support at all!



It's just so messed up. And like someone said, it's only courses available if people pay when they're out and after prison there isn't going to be the disposable income for things like courses that cost upwards of £500!

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 8:33pmReport post

Post deleted by user


Edited Sun July 3, 2022 5:36am

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2402 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 9:22pmReport post

What about the offenders that have no one, no support

We had a visit with my son today and we were talking about programmes etc he said there are so many that dont get visits, no one sending money to help them buy essential items honestly as much as my son has lost his friends he still has me and his sister that support him and his uncle and his family it is so sad yes they have done wrong and ended up in prison but how is it acceptable to not give them the programmes to help them!

Nope just lock them up seems to be the answer

It is just wrong xx

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 9:45pmReport post

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Edited Sun July 3, 2022 5:36am

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2402 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 9:54pmReport post

Evening my dear friend Smile x

We had a lovely visit even though we lost 20 mins of the 2 hr visit, he ate some nice crap food :-) his hair is shoulder length but he is ok and that is the most important part x

I cant imagine what it is like for those that have no one

How is your dad? Xx

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 10:00pmReport post

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Edited Sat July 2, 2022 10:45pm

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2402 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 10:38pmReport post

Smile

I am so sorry to hear he is not doing well :-(

Sending lots of strength and love xx

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 10:45pmReport post

Bless you - and Thankyou x

Daffodil

Member since
March 2022

965 posts

Posted Sat July 2, 2022 11:07pmReport post

Post deleted


Edited Tue October 24, 2023 9:12am

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Sun July 3, 2022 5:36amReport post

Thanks so much all for your helpful input x

Upset mum

Member since
June 2020

2402 posts

Posted Sun July 3, 2022 10:13amReport post

Thank you Daff

We have a way to go before he is home but I will certainly look in to Circles

Again valuable information that we only learn about here xx

Lucy from Stop it Now!

Member since
September 2018

490 posts

Posted Tue July 5, 2022 2:52pmReport post

Dear Forum Users

We thought it may be useful to shed some knowledge from our experienced team on the topic of programmes, specifically, the Horizon programme The Probation Service has to offer.

There are two variations of the programme, Horizon (typically for contact offences) and iHorizon (typically for online offences). These are treatment programmes which can be completed in custody (please note that only some prisons deliver the programme) or in the community as a requirement on a community order, suspended sentence or for an individual on licence. Not everyone who is sentenced for a sexual offence will complete or be eligible for either of the programmes. The waiting lists can be extensive, especially in custodial settings, and there may not be enough time to serve on their sentence to complete the programme.

We note that the Circles for Support and Accountability project is mentioned and this is well known to be a great avenue of support for individuals convicted of sexual offences by working with trained volunteers to help safely reintegrate them back into their community. You can read more about the support they can offer here: https://circlessoutheast.org.uk/support-accountability/. If this seems like something your loved one can benefit from, then it is worth enquiring if it is offered in your area. The Probation Service can also make a referral if applicable.

If individuals are looking for programmes specific to their sexual offending there are a few other options in the community including our psychoeducational programmes, Inform Plus and Engage Plus. It should be noted these are not treatment programmes, but an educative course to help better understand why the behaviour occurred in the first place and ways to move forward. We will leave a link to our website here for you to read more about these programmes if you are interested: https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/help-to-stop-offending-online.htm. There are costs involved, but please do not let this deter you. If finances are an issue, we may be able to provide you with some more support. We would encourage anyone interested to call our Stop It Now! Helpline where more information can be found and options can be discussed.

We do hope this is helpful and provided some clarity for you all.

Best Wishes

Lucy

Edited Tue July 5, 2022 2:52pm

Smile through tears

Member since
September 2021

2550 posts

Posted Tue July 5, 2022 4:53pmReport post

Thankyou x