Tish Richford and Jane Westmacott Our Client MACK

Tish Richford and Jane Westmacott

Our Client – MACK (not real name) Criminal Justice involvement in the form of Probation and short term custodial sentences since age 15 – we had a good knowledge of him within the department. Experience of trauma in childhood at age of 12 Made subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order in 2005 Mack was 19 when he received his OLR in 2008 with a punishment element of 18 months. He was one of the first OLR’s imposed. He was released on OLR licence in July 2019 At the age of 30.

Community Involvement during Mack's custodial sentence. First few years our involvement was quite minimal, annual prison meetings and an annual visit from CBSW until discussions about progression to Top End began. Moved to top end HMP Greenock - CBSW became more involved in terms of the work required for him to progress to open, more contact with psychology and his case manager at this point. Whilst in Greenock he had a job out with prison grounds – however due to distance we couldn’t facilitate him coming to Moray In 2013 escorted home leaves began with Mack being driven up to Moray by G 4 S staff to his meet with his family and CBSW/OMU.

Progression to Open conditions Progressed to Castle Huntly open estate on February 2015 MAPPA commenced at this time Communication became more regular and we attended ICM meetings as well as additional meetings with psychology and PBSW regarding on going work Mack was only here for 6 months before being recalled to HMP Glenochil. He struggled with the 2: 1 work and building relationships with professionals. Significant concerns raised by Case Manager in terms of grievance thinking. Our involvement dropped when he returned to HMP Glenochil in 2015 until he was considered for progression again to Castle Huntly in 2018.

Increasing community access On his return to Castle Huntly our involvement increased and MAPPA commenced in the community. This was to consider potential risks and to approve any new actions in relation to community access. The main focus at this time was how and when we started the process of home leaves and whether these should be escorted or unescorted. Mack then built up unescorted home leaves travelling by public transport (difficult from Castle Huntly to Moray – 4 hour journey each way) The aim was to familiarise himself with the local area and build up relationships with professionals i. e. CBSW, OMU and family (who had remained supportive throughout his sentence). During this time the community facing risk management plan became more real and possible. Our historical knowledge of Mack and his family dynamics were used to inform the plan.

Lead Up to Release into the community Attendance at RMA Risk Practice Course where we were provided with support and guidance as to completing the community based ls/cmi and risk management plan i. e. timescales required Regular meetings with prison based case manager, CB SW and OMU to finalise plan prior to release Once Mack released, ls/cmi was immediately exported from prison. CJSW was able to amend sections as required. We set up a Risk Management Team (similar attendees to MAPPA but we were clear of its specific purpose) Justice Service Manager took lead responsibility As we were involved in the preparation of the initial plan we were able to easily remove the prison based elements from the plan; maintain the existing community based sections and add any new actions/information. A draft was submitted to the RMA for comments then submitted again for approval within agreed timescales.

CHALLENGES FOR CBSW – Lack of experience (for us and prison staff) in OLR and not knowing the process – as he was one of the first. Gaps in information sharing in the beginning. This led to frustration from Mack as we were not always aware of reasons/decision making in prison. We could not identify suitable accommodation due to his OLR status and limited housing resources in Moray i. e. no supported accommodation. Distance for Mack to travel to home was a huge undertaking in terms of risk and his capacity.

CHALLENGES Keeping Mack motivated and engaged with professionals when he got a knock back i. e. things didn’t always go to plan, parole board decisions Trying to find voluntary placements in the community that he could become involved in when he only had several hours each visit. Giving Mack enough opportunity to prove to the parole board he had been tested sufficiently in the community. I. e. no overnight home leaves. Also we didn’t know what was enough to satisfy the parole board.

What worked well Good support/guidance from prison based case manager in relation to our input into the risk management plan The ls/cmi being completed to a high standard and shared quickly with community CBSW’s confident in the use of ROSH template Latterly good lines of communication and building relationships with other professionals essential to ensure Mack was given consistent information Good support from RMA in relation to the process and timescales for submitting the community risk management plan first draft etc.

What worked well A consistency in workers in the community including CJSW staff, OMU and housing Support to the CB case holder was essential at all stages ie from prison visits to after phone calls from Mack or family. Keeping in touch with family throughout and involving them at regular stages Getting a voluntary placement in the community during home leaves Mack's work ethic and close family bond

To date….

Contact Details Tish Richford: tish. richford@moray. gov. uk Jane Westmacott: Jane. Westmacott@moray. gov. uk