Veterans in Custody and SSAFA Prison In Reach

Nick Wood

Armed Forces and Veterans Development& Veterans Awareness CPD Lecturer

Karen Oldfield

Head of Specialist Services

Who is a Veteran?(What’s in a name?)

There are an estimated 4.8 million veterans in the country and with their wives, husbands, partners or children they make up the estimated 10 million strong ex Armed Forces community.

• You are a Veteran if you have been paid for one days service in HM Armed Forces

• Nearly 1 in 10 of all adult males in the UK are Veterans(MOD Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report , 2014, pg 57)

83% of Service Leavers found to make successful transition to civilian life

Definition:

A Veteran is anyone who has served in HM Armed Forces, Regular or Reservist including National Servicemen, former Polish forces under British Command and

Merchant Mariners who have seen duty in military operations (e.g. the Falklands Conflict).

Veterans in Prison and on Probation

HM Prison Inspectorate:

• In 2012, 32 Prisons visited indicating that the overall average was 6.5%

Veterans in Custody: Snap shot figure

• Suggested between 3.5% (2,820 - 2009) to 6.5% (2012) of offenders ex

Armed Forces

• Fluid annual prison population

Most Common Offence:

• Alcohol related violent offending

Veterans on Probation: Snap shot figure

Suggested 3.4% (5,361- 2009) to 6.5% (2012) of offenders ex Armed

Forces

Source: DASA (2009) – HMIP (2012)

The key “ASK THE QUESTION”

• Identify the Veteran at the earliest opportunity

(Phillips Inquiry - NHS England Liaison & Diversion)

• Liaise with ex Armed Forces support organisations and include interventions into Resettlement plans – Offender Management

• Identify Veterans lead or point of contact

• Develop a communication network

“Have you served in the Armed Forces as a Regular, Reservist or

are you a Dependant of someone who has/is?”

What is Veterans in Custody Support ?

How can it support resettlement ?

• Identification at the earliest opportunity (10 to 15 years before seeking support. Source: Combat Stress)

• Veteran resettlement and family/dependant support

• Accurate data gathering – Oasys & PNomis

• Liaise with Off - Management services to share resettlement information - inclusion in sentence planning and release plans

• Forums – Third sector information sharing and advice

• Cost effective – free to access interventions

• Staff interest and support (many are Veterans)

• Peer Supporter opportunities

Reflects Oasys & NOMS 7 Pathways:

• Accommodation and support

• Education, training and employment

• Health

• Drugs and alcohol

• Finance, benefits and debt

• Children and families

• Attitudes, thinking & behaviour

What is SSAFA Prison in Reach and

how can it assist offender management

and Veterans with resettlement ?

SSAFA Prison In-reachHeadlines

• Oldest UK Military charity

• Network of 7,500 volunteers across the UK• Currently working in 112 prison• Non judgmental• Practical, financial and emotional support

SSAFA Prison In-reach

• Who do we support?

• How do we help?

• Accessing SSAFA PIR– How– When

Armed Forces Covenant, Policies, Guidance and Inquiries

The Armed Forces Covenant

“The Armed Forces Covenant is a statement of the moral obligation which exists between the nation, the Government and the Armed Forces”

Enshrined in law, in the Armed Forces Act 2011

Sections:

Healthcare Deployment

Education Housing

Benefits and Tax Responsibility of Care

Family Life Commercial Products and Services

Transition Support after Service

Example of Key Points:

• Ask the Question: Critical

• Staff awareness and ongoing training: Critical

• L & D Identification, Screening and Referral

• Probation and CRC’s

• Third Sector Engagement

• Judiciary and Legal Representation Training

• Peer Mentoring

• VOWG/COBSEO Veterans in the CJS Cluster

HM Government inquiry Phillips report

Conclusion:

• Reoffending rates could be reduced at little cost

Summary:

• Identification in line with Phillips review – OaSYS & PNomis

• Access to Resettlement Support and Interventions – cost effective

• Delivered by trained and experienced SSAFA PIR volunteers

• Support for Veterans family whilst in custody – reducing anxiety

• Interventions in line with NOMS Resettlement Pathways

• Contributes to AF Covenant and Reducing Reoffending agenda’s

• High HMP and Probation Staff interest

Thank you

Karen Oldfield

Email: karen.ol@ssafa.org.uk

Nick Wood

Email: n.wood@yorksj.ac.uk