Prison not always appropriate for offenders says ex-Wiltshire officer
An initiative is helping offenders understand why they commit crimes
A former Wiltshire police offer thinks prison is not always the right way to deal with criminals as they may have been dealt a bad hand in life.
Mark Wilkinson retired from police work two years ago before re-joining the force as part of the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) programme.
And having seen the impact of the programme, he is determined to change the common mindset of prison being the best place for criminals, something he himself used to think.
“Now, I understand that some people make bad choices and are dealt a bad hand in life, but they aren’t bad people and they can turn their life around with the right help,” Mr Wilkinson said.
By targeting persistent and repeat offenders, the initiative aims to help criminals understand the reasons for their offending in the first place.
In turn, this will stop officers being called out to the same addresses for the same issues, freeing up time and resources as well as reducing criminal justice system costs and prevent people falling victim to crime.
Wiltshire successes
There have been a number of success stories in Wiltshire in recent times.
One of the people helped by the programme is Adam, who spent time behind bars after a series of burglaries.
Previously a regular cannabis user, Adam was able to bond with his Integrated Offender Manager through a shared passion for the gym.
The subsequent health benefits changed his outlook on life and Adam has since found his first job in years, allowing his to provide for his new family.
Another success is James. All his life, he had found it difficult to build relationships and had issues with trust and authority.
His Integrated Offender Manager Jessica Sowden said: “It has taken some patience, understanding and perseverance to really understand the type of person that James is and how undiagnosed conditions have had a detrimental effect on his life from a young age to adulthood.”
James now volunteers at a local charity, working with people with Alzheimer’s in a controlled setting, bringing him a sense of purpose and joy.