|
Essex Probation played host to a VIP visit on 30 July 2010, when Crispin Blunt MP toured the Chelmsford Office on a fact-finding trip.
The Prisons and Probation Minister spent several hours in the company of Trust Board Chairman Bill Puddicombe and Chief Executive Mary Archer, during which members of staff put on a special presentation of The Probation Experience.
The show, which has played to large audiences at Probation offices across Essex in the past two years, showcases the work undertaken with offenders, victims and other agencies, by focusing on the story of fictitious offender Lee Cullen.
Probation journey
The Minister looked on intently as ‘Lee’ described the background to his sentence and showed video of his PSR interview, before guiding the audience through a series of other scenarios including an offender induction interview, Aggression Replacement Training, Community Payback, an Education, Employment and Training session, and a mock MAPPA meeting.
Effective at reducing crime
Mr Blunt’s visit took place in the wake of statements made by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke that short-term prison sentences are less effective at cutting re-offending rates than community sentences, and that Probation Trusts, working in partnership with other agencies, provide better long-term prospects of rehabilitation.
Speaking after the visit, Essex Probation’s Chief Executive Mary Archer said: “I was delighted to have the Minister here and to have the opportunity to show him what we do in Probation. I believe he saw a great deal and did say that he felt others should come to Essex first to learn about probation.”
|
