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.
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).
• 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
Veterans in Prison and on Probation
HM Prison Inspectorate:
• In 2012, 32 Prisons visited indicating
that the overall average was 6.5%
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)
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
The key “ASK THE QUESTION”
“Have you served in the Armed Forces as a Regular, Reservist or
are you a Dependant of someone who has/is?”
• 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
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-reach
Headlines
• 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
HM Government inquiry Phillips report
Example of Key Points:
• Ask the Question: Critical
• Staff awareness and ongoing training: Critical
Conclusion:
• L & D Identification, Screening and Referral
• Reoffending
rates could be reduced
• Probation and CRC’s
at little cost
• Third Sector Engagement
• Judiciary and Legal Representation Training
• Peer Mentoring
• VOWG/COBSEO Veterans in the CJS Cluster
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