Written evidence from Mr Oliver Shanks
The Northern Ireland Prison Service has a clear
statement of purpose, a vision and values. The Inquiry should
find the extent to which these aspirations are met. Were they
to be fully met re-offending would be minimised.
Several organisations, including the Life Sentence
Review Commission have made cogent submissions. In addition to
these it is submitted that the Inquiry should pay particular attention
to the transition period between the time approaching the end
of a determinate sentence and the first few months following release.
CONTINUITY AND
TRUST
The Prison Service does much good work during
a prisoner's sentence and it is important that there is continuity
to sustain this good work.
Continuity includes the progression of employment,
educational and leisure skills. It also includes continuity of
relationships. A high proportion of prisoners, for very understandable
reasons, tend to be socially isolated and excluded. Trust and
particularly trust of people in authority or who are identified
with the "system" is slow to establish and is easily
lost. It should be possible to continue such trust as has been
established during a prisoner's sentence with a professional member
of staff or agent of the prison service, such as an employee of
a voluntary body for example Extern or NIACRO, after release.
Amanda Howerton et al refer to the importance of the establishment
of trust in relation to mental health following release in an
article in the British Medical Journal (2007). [42]
TRANSITION
The Inquiry is asked to consider recommending
that in-reach and out-reach schemes be established. Such schemes
could enable individual probation officers to work with prisoners
during the transition period surrounding release both in prison
and in the community. Schemes could also be put in place whereby
organisations currently working with offenders, such as Extern
who currently provide accommodation and sheltered employment and
NIACRO who provide employment advice and support, meet prisoners
and begin to develop trust prior to release.
Prison walls are essential for the protection
of the public. They should not prevent the lessons learned by
prisoners in prison from being transferred to life following release.
The prison service will be selective in identifying
prisoners for such schemes when formulating a sentence plan. Depending
on the nature of the sentence, participation may be on a voluntary
basis.
Not all prisoners are socially excluded by reason
of deficiencies of education or skill. Those who are should have
their deficiencies identified and addressed during their sentence
and it should be possible to carry this on following release.
This is essential if re-offending is to be prevented. The prevention
of re-offending is central to the protection of the public.
Oliver Shanks
Consultant Psychiatrist
23 April 2007
42 BMJ 2007; 334:303, Understanding help seeking behaviour
among male offenders: qualitative interview study Amanda Howerton,
Richard Byng, John Campbell, David Hess, Christabel Owens, Peter
Aitken. Back
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