Evidence Based Practice Evidence Based Practice in Jersey Channel Islandsin Jersey Channel Islands

Brian HeathBrian HeathChief Probation OfficerChief Probation Officer

Jersey Probation and After Care Jersey Probation and After Care ServiceService

JerseyJersey

45 Square miles with population of 91,00045 Square miles with population of 91,000 Self Governing since 1204, own ParliamentSelf Governing since 1204, own Parliament Relative prosperity: GNI = $66K U.S - high Relative prosperity: GNI = $66K U.S - high

expectations – Low Public Expenditureexpectations – Low Public Expenditure Parish system - local solutionsParish system - local solutions Probation Service is a Department of the CourtProbation Service is a Department of the Court Political stability – reports to Probation Board Political stability – reports to Probation Board

(Judges) - sense of shared ownership(Judges) - sense of shared ownership 5,000 crimes pa 35% - 40% detection rate5,000 crimes pa 35% - 40% detection rate

Evidence Based Practice in JerseyEvidence Based Practice in Jersey

£1.6 million revenue budget, (decreasing) 86% staff £1.6 million revenue budget, (decreasing) 86% staff costscosts

£25,000 budget programmes, grants etc£25,000 budget programmes, grants etc 600 – 700 reports per year600 – 700 reports per year Approx 150 -200 Probation Orders per yearApprox 150 -200 Probation Orders per year Approx 200 Community Service Orders per yearApprox 200 Community Service Orders per year Automatic prison through care since 2006.Automatic prison through care since 2006. Approx 25% take up of Voluntary After CareApprox 25% take up of Voluntary After Care 39 employees (27 Full time equivalent) 39 employees (27 Full time equivalent) Caseloads under 40Caseloads under 40 12 volunteers12 volunteers

Jersey 1989Jersey 1989

602 Custodial sentences602 Custodial sentences 91% of custodial sentences under 6 91% of custodial sentences under 6

monthsmonths 116 Probation Orders made – mostly first 116 Probation Orders made – mostly first

offendersoffenders 64 Community Service Orders imposed64 Community Service Orders imposed

Jersey nowJersey now

Custodial Sentences down – From 602 in Custodial Sentences down – From 602 in 1989 to 216 by 1995 and 127 in 2009.1989 to 216 by 1995 and 127 in 2009.

Sentences of under 6 months reduced to Sentences of under 6 months reduced to 40 in 200840 in 2008

Probation Orders up from 116 to 190 Probation Orders up from 116 to 190 (2009)(2009)

Community Service Orders up from 64 to Community Service Orders up from 64 to 218 (2009)218 (2009)

But do non custodial penalties work But do non custodial penalties work in Jersey?in Jersey?

72% of Probationers reduced their risk of re-offending 72% of Probationers reduced their risk of re-offending (measured by LSI-R 2007).(measured by LSI-R 2007).

74% of highest risk Probationers (LSI of 24+) showed a 74% of highest risk Probationers (LSI of 24+) showed a reduction in their risk of re-offending. (2007)reduction in their risk of re-offending. (2007)

Self Report (Pallot 2009) 83% of sample thought Probation Self Report (Pallot 2009) 83% of sample thought Probation had reduced their risk of re offending had reduced their risk of re offending

Reconviction study (Miles and Raynor 2009) 34% of Reconviction study (Miles and Raynor 2009) 34% of Probationers re offend within 2 years, half of these for minor Probationers re offend within 2 years, half of these for minor matters. matters.

Over 17,000 hours of pro social Community Service Over 17,000 hours of pro social Community Service performed for the Island by offenders who would otherwise performed for the Island by offenders who would otherwise have been imprisonedhave been imprisoned

Evidence based practice JerseyEvidence based practice Jersey

Probationer profilesProbationer profiles 90% have previous convictions90% have previous convictions 25% have previously served a custodial sentence.25% have previously served a custodial sentence. Probationers have a higher average LSI- R score than Probationers have a higher average LSI- R score than

prisonersprisoners

Prison “Snapshot” June 2006Prison “Snapshot” June 2006 Prison population 222 (250 per 100,000) - ButPrison population 222 (250 per 100,000) - But Only 3 Prisoners serving sentences of less than 6 months, 8 Only 3 Prisoners serving sentences of less than 6 months, 8

serving less than 12 monthsserving less than 12 months 4 of these had breached community sentences.4 of these had breached community sentences. 1 prisoner aged under 18 years.1 prisoner aged under 18 years.

Adult characteristics and reconviction (Miles and Adult characteristics and reconviction (Miles and Raynor 2009.)Raynor 2009.)

SentenceSentence LSI_RLSI_R

MeanMean

% % Serious Serious offenceoffence

% recon% recon

1 Year1 Year

% % serious serious offenceoffence

% recon % recon 2 year2 year

% % Serious Serious offenceoffence

Community Community ServiceService

11.911.9 8585 1212 1414 1919 4747

ProbationProbation 25.425.4 7171 1919 1717 2828 4242

Bind OverBind Over 17.417.4 4747 99 55 1818 1515

PrisonPrison 23.323.3 7878 5353 2424 6767 4646

Characteristics and reconviction Characteristics and reconviction Children under 18 yearsChildren under 18 years

SentenceSentence LSI- RLSI- R

MeanMean

% % SeriousSerious

OffenceOffence

% % ReconRecon

1 Year1 Year

% % SeriousSerious

offenceoffence

% % Recon Recon

2 Year2 Year

% % SeriousSerious

offenceoffence

Community Community

ServiceService

13.513.5 8181 1919 1515 3535 2222

ProbationProbation 1919 6060 3838 2828 6262 2222

Bind OverBind Over 12.512.5 5858 3333 3333 4747 4747

YOI (n=11 YOI (n=11 so caution so caution needed)needed)

3434 100100 2525 8888 7373 6767

How to reduce the use of custody?How to reduce the use of custody?

Successful alternatives to custody Successful alternatives to custody

“ “have to be part of a wider initiative to have to be part of a wider initiative to reduce the use of imprisonment and this reduce the use of imprisonment and this requires political and judicial support and requires political and judicial support and the absence of negative public reaction” the absence of negative public reaction” (Walters 2004)(Walters 2004)

But in Jersey…But in Jersey…

No big legislative or Policy changes (1994 No big legislative or Policy changes (1994 Young offenders Law; 2001 Community Young offenders Law; 2001 Community Service Law, BASS strategy)Service Law, BASS strategy)

No rapid fall or rise in crime ratesNo rapid fall or rise in crime rates No big shifts in public opinionNo big shifts in public opinion Judges and Magistrates have essentially Judges and Magistrates have essentially

the same options as in 1989the same options as in 1989

What did changeWhat did change

Re design of Probation Service – within existing financial Re design of Probation Service – within existing financial and staffing structures by the staff team.and staffing structures by the staff team.

Prison doesn’t work so not Prison doesn’t work so not recommendingrecommending custody. custody. (Though acknowledging role in public protection cases)(Though acknowledging role in public protection cases)

Community Service assessment in all imprisonable Community Service assessment in all imprisonable casescases

““Fit for Custody, fit for CS”Fit for Custody, fit for CS” Stand Down reports introducedStand Down reports introduced Drunk and Incapable UnitDrunk and Incapable Unit Promoted non custodial penalties to the Courts – selling Promoted non custodial penalties to the Courts – selling

our product to increase our market shareour product to increase our market share 1992 onwards – “What Works” research and associated 1992 onwards – “What Works” research and associated

practice changes.practice changes.

Our “tool kit”Our “tool kit” Assessment – LSI-R and other toolsAssessment – LSI-R and other tools Targeting – risk, needs and responsivity. Helps workload too.Targeting – risk, needs and responsivity. Helps workload too. Interventions – based on needs identified through LSI-RInterventions – based on needs identified through LSI-R Partnership – working to strengths.Partnership – working to strengths. Continuity – Relationship between Probation Officer and client. Continuity – Relationship between Probation Officer and client. Pro Social approach throughout. Pro Social approach throughout. Monitoring – Supervision, ICMS / DAISyMonitoring – Supervision, ICMS / DAISy Evaluation – ICMS / DAISY, University of Swansea partnership. Evaluation – ICMS / DAISY, University of Swansea partnership.

“Culture of Curiosity”“Culture of Curiosity” Virtuous circle between research and practice.Virtuous circle between research and practice. Success breeds successSuccess breeds success Restorative Justice - parallel track from Parish Hall Enquiry to Restorative Justice - parallel track from Parish Hall Enquiry to

Custody. Offered to all offenders where there is an identifiable Custody. Offered to all offenders where there is an identifiable victim.victim.

TargetingTargeting

Low / medium seriousness + low risk = Low / medium seriousness + low risk = fine, B.O etc.fine, B.O etc.

Custodial seriousness + low risk = Custodial seriousness + low risk = Community ServiceCommunity Service

Medium / Custodial Seriousness + Medium / Custodial Seriousness + medium / high risk = Probationmedium / high risk = Probation

Critical success factor – a whole Critical success factor – a whole system approachsystem approach

Components of effective practice are inter Components of effective practice are inter related, for example:related, for example: Without good assessment how can the right people Without good assessment how can the right people

get the right interventions?get the right interventions? Without a pro social approach the offender may Without a pro social approach the offender may

switch off and the intervention won’t work. switch off and the intervention won’t work. (Sandwiches(!) Community Service)(Sandwiches(!) Community Service)

Without monitoring and evaluation how can we tell Without monitoring and evaluation how can we tell how well we are delivering the interventions, respond how well we are delivering the interventions, respond to any problems and answer any critics? to any problems and answer any critics?

So we shape the service to suit the evidence not So we shape the service to suit the evidence not the evidence to suit the servicethe evidence to suit the service

Critical success factor; people skillsCritical success factor; people skills

We work with people not do things to them We work with people not do things to them (staff and clients)(staff and clients)

Courts are our employers and our Courts are our employers and our customers. We have had to take them customers. We have had to take them with us – they don’t have to give us any with us – they don’t have to give us any work (neither do the Parish Halls or work (neither do the Parish Halls or prisoners)prisoners)

Learning and contributingLearning and contributing

Used contacts outside of Jersey extensivelyUsed contacts outside of Jersey extensively Researchers in effective practice very Researchers in effective practice very

approachable and helpfulapproachable and helpful Prof. Raynor Swansea University, CREDOS Prof. Raynor Swansea University, CREDOS

network, Prof Trotter, Dr Ross, Cognitive Centre network, Prof Trotter, Dr Ross, Cognitive Centre FoundationFoundation

Links are mutually rewarding – Probation needs Links are mutually rewarding – Probation needs research, researchers need Probationresearch, researchers need Probation

A lot we don’t know yet; so this is a process not A lot we don’t know yet; so this is a process not a finished job a finished job

Jersey Skills studyJersey Skills study

Video recording individual supervision Video recording individual supervision interviewsinterviews

100 sessions being analysed by 100 sessions being analysed by researchers at Swansea University researchers at Swansea University scoring any core correctional practices.scoring any core correctional practices.

Results will then be cross checked against Results will then be cross checked against the client’s LSI-R scores and reconviction the client’s LSI-R scores and reconviction information.information.

Reading, references, contactsReading, references, contacts Jersey Probation and After Care Service Jersey Probation and After Care Service www.probation.je e-mail e-mail

b.heath@gov.jeb.heath@gov.je Trotter C (1999) “Working with Involuntary Clients” – A guide to Practice, Trotter C (1999) “Working with Involuntary Clients” – A guide to Practice,

Sage, LondonSage, London Raynor P and Miles H (2007) “Evidence based Probation in a Microstate. Raynor P and Miles H (2007) “Evidence based Probation in a Microstate.

The British Channel Island of Jersey.” European Journal of Criminology V4 The British Channel Island of Jersey.” European Journal of Criminology V4 (3) Sage, London(3) Sage, London

Heath B, Raynor P and Miles H (2002) “What Works in Jersey: the first ten Heath B, Raynor P and Miles H (2002) “What Works in Jersey: the first ten years.” Vista 7(3) University of Birminghamyears.” Vista 7(3) University of Birmingham

Raynor P (2008) “Evaluating Probation Outcomes: Possible approaches for Raynor P (2008) “Evaluating Probation Outcomes: Possible approaches for small Probation Services” Vista 11 (3) University of Birmingham small Probation Services” Vista 11 (3) University of Birmingham

Miles (2004) “The Parish Hall Enquiry: A Community based alternative to Miles (2004) “The Parish Hall Enquiry: A Community based alternative to formal Court processing in the Channel Island of Jersey.” Probation Journal formal Court processing in the Channel Island of Jersey.” Probation Journal V51(2) Sage LondonV51(2) Sage London

Pallot (2008) “Client Feedback. Questionnaire findings” Action Learning Pallot (2008) “Client Feedback. Questionnaire findings” Action Learning Project Social Science Degree Highlands College / University of PlymouthProject Social Science Degree Highlands College / University of Plymouth

Miles H; Raynor P; Coster B; (2009) “Community Sentences and their Miles H; Raynor P; Coster B; (2009) “Community Sentences and their outcomes.” Jersey Probation and After Care Serviceoutcomes.” Jersey Probation and After Care Service