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Changing the world of offender development and rehabilitation

David Apparicio

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to question and challenge the current punishment-focused

approach to sentencing of offenders and introduce a behavioural framework that focuses on the positive

reinforcement of ‘‘good’’ behaviours, motivators, habits and consequences that would engage, inspire

and compel change in individuals, equipping individuals with real behavioural skills through sustainable

personal development

Design/methodology/approach – Both offenders/inmates at all levels of the probation and the criminal

justice system were spoken to and a range of recently published (1997-2007) papers that explore the

causes of offending behaviour, in the UK, Europe and the USA were considered.

Findings – When researching why individuals offend/re-offend it became apparent that there was a gap

between what society saw as acceptable and the current behaviour of offenders. What was interesting

was the approach in the criminal justice system is very different to that of the business world when it

attempts to close the gap between actual and desired behaviours/results. In the Criminal Justice system

the reason for intervention in a sentencing situation is primarily to administer punishment, whereas in the

business world where there is a gap we would aim to close that gap through the provision of knowledge,

skills, practice, behaviours/values that moves the individual to our desired state - a more competent and

capable position.

Originality/value – This paper challenges the current approach of continuing doing the same things

that we always have done with offender management and expect different results, rehabilitated

offenders with reducing levels of crime and offending.

Keywords Criminals, Rehabilitation, Behaviour modification

Paper type Viewpoint

I t is often said that prison does not work and that community sentencing is an easy

option for offenders. In 1997 the number of adult prisoners that re-offended within two

years was 58 percent, this figure rose to 72 percent for 18-20 year old male prisoners. It

is also noted that the cost to the criminal justice system of dealing with the consequences of

recorded crime committed by ex-prisoners comes to at least £11 billion per year (Source:

Social Exclusion Unit).

These startling facts led me to challenge the current thinking on how we approach the

re-habilitation of offenders. I have always been frustrated as a magistrate and business

leader because I am unable to provide developmental sentencing interventions that can

provide real opportunities for behavioural change that address the core beliefs and values of

offenders as well as equipping them with the skills they need to gain sustainable

employment.

Community sentencing

According to Making Punishments Work: Review of the Sentencing Framework for England

and Wales (The Halliday Report), the fundamental purpose of sentencing is to contribute,

DOI 10.1108/00197850810876262 VOL. 40 NO. 4 2008, pp. 211-215, Q Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 0019-7858 j INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAINING j PAGE 211

David Apparicio is

Managing Director of

Harnessing Potential Ltd,

Northampton, UK.

along with crime prevention initiatives, to respect the law and the maintenance of a just,

peaceful and safe society.

The review found widespread agreement that sentencing serves three other more specific

purposes, those of:

(1) punishment;

(2) crime reduction; and

(3) reparation.

If we consider our current approach to community sentencing as an example; individuals are

sentenced to a community order with a number of requirements, including:

B supervision/probation meetings;

B unpaid work;

B drug rehabilitation;

B alcohol treatment;

B education training;

B enhanced thinking skills; and

B anger management.

The question is; how can these interventions/requirements create rehabilitated offenders if

the primary purpose of sentencing is about punishment, crime reduction and reparation?

The current approach of ‘‘punishment led sentencing’’ is not facilitating real rehabilitation in

offenders and consequently there is not a reduction in the levels of re-offending. In fact we

are doing the same things that we always have done when sentencing offenders and

expecting different results!

The effectiveness of sentencing is also determined by variable factors such as the:

B competence, experience and knowledge (of what is available) of the sentencing bench

(Magistrates);

B advice/recommendations given by probation services to support sentencing;

B number of interventions each Probation Area can afford to provide/offer;

B programmes/intervention each Regional Offender Manager has contracted;

B competence of the local service provider in delivering the programmes.

At its roots, sentencing contributes to good order in society. It does so by visibly upholding

society’s norms and standards; dealing appropriately with those who breach them; and

enabling the public to have confidence in its outcomes. The public, as a result, can

legitimately be expected to uphold and observe the law, and not to take it into their own

hands.

To achieve this, there must be confidence in the justice of the outcomes, as well as in their

effectiveness. Achieving a satisfactory level of public confidence is therefore an important

goal of sentencing, and the framework for sentencing needs to support that goal.

‘‘ Achieving a satisfactory level of public confidence is therefore an important goal of sentencing. ’’

PAGE 212j INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAININGj VOL. 40 NO. 4 2008

Bridging the behavioural gap

When researching why individuals offend/re-offend it became apparent to me that there was

a gap between what society saw as acceptable and the current behaviour of offenders.

What was interesting was the approach in the criminal justice system is very different to that

of the business world when it attempts to close the gap between actual and desired

behaviours/results.

In the Criminal Justice system the reason for intervention in a sentencing situation is primarily

to administer punishment, whereas in the business world where there is a gap we would aim

to close that gap through the provision of knowledge, skills, practice, behaviours/values that

moves the individual to our desired state – a more competent and capable position.

It was with this thought in mind that I developed a renewed approach of sentencing solutions

that for the first time address the causes of offending/re-offending behaviour through the

provision of an integrated end-to-end offender management programme that focuses on

development and rehabilitation by providing individuals with the skills, knowledge and

behaviours that will better enable them to gain sustainable employment and feel a part of

society.

It struck me that:

There is nothing about a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to become a butterfly.

I came to the conclusion that what is required is an integrated programme of the highest

quality that is not bound by limited beliefs and low expectations of offender capability. My

approach enables the provision of elements/modules in people development that have

proven records of transforming and enhancing individuals’ skills and behaviours. These

programme elements would have the potential to produce re-motivated/re-enagaged

individuals who have a renewed role and stake in mainstream society and in their local

communities.

A fresh approach

I took it on myself to create a development and rehabilitation programme that taps into the

wealth of corporate sector proven behavioural change, development programmes,

resources and expertise, then combine this with best practice programmes from Offender

Management Services, including Mentors (role models) and ‘‘real’’ work placements to

create a fresh end-to-end approach to offender development and rehabilitation providing

the best possible opportunities for behavioural change with the skills and behaviours that

potential employers would want.

From this concept was born the ‘‘Chrysalis Programmee’’[1], which I developed to combine

all of the above requirements into a single holistic development programme delivered over

12 months, providing offenders with skills, knowledge, understanding, confidence, a mentor

and work placement in real jobs.

Of course it would be foolish to believe that this approach will remove re-offending

completely. However, by rehabilitating the core of individuals exhibiting criminal and

anti-social behaviour that will respond to the positive nature of the programme, we can

develop them and foster commitment to being positive role models in their local

communities. The impact of this change will not only affect the individuals, their attitudes and

behaviours, but also the communities as a whole.

So, the offenders of the past will become the change agents of the future and role models of

positive behaviour. The knock-on effect of these behavioural changes will be that there will

be reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour, which will in turn result in positive, safer

communities. Potentially alter the quality of life for societies the world over.

The Chrysalis Programmee

As a Justice of the Peace (Magistrate) I see first hand the impact of a purely punishment led

sentencing approach and decided to investigate/research what could be done that would

VOL. 40 NO. 4 2008 j INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAININGj PAGE 213

have a different and more positive impact on the levels of offending/re-offending. To carry

out this research I have spoken to both offenders/inmates and all levels of the probation and

the criminal justice system.

So if there is a gap between current and desired behaviours we would aim to close that gap

through the provision of knowledge, skills, practice, behaviours/values that moves the

individual to our desired state – a more competent and capable position.

Remember we need to determine/define what the current level of behaviour is and provide

an intervention that will move behaviours to the desired/acceptable level.

At the core is The Chrysalis Programmee Behavioural Framework that focuses on the

positive reinforcement and an understanding of the behaviours, motivators, habits and

consequences that would engage, inspire and compel change in individuals, equipping

individuals with real and practical skills to help them better fit and understand today’s

society.

Each of these modular elements will be provided over a 12-month period and will be linked

together via mentor meetings, learning journals, probation services activities and

inter-module challenges. The participants will be immersed in positive personal learning

experiences that will ensure they gain the full benefit from the experience and of course

reduce the likelihood of re-offending.

The Chrysalis Programmee is designed with thought provoking content/activities and

recognised accredited certification. creating an engaging and inspiring programme. The

main development modules’ content areas are:

B Know thy self.

B Seven habits of highly effective people.

B Interpersonal skills.

B Speech, language and communication skills.

B Health and wellbeing (drug and alcohol awareness).

B Interview skills and image consultation.

B Mentor meetings – learning mentor/probation.

B Numeracy skills/literacy skills.

B ‘‘Challenge’’ Project.

B Motivational speakers.

B Leadership skills.

B Job placement – career advice.

B Enhanced thinking skills.

B Inter-module project activity.

B Representation skills.

B Citizenship.

Next steps will be to start a full pilot of the 12-month programme.

We are currently finalising content and completing proof of concept sessions on content and

modules of the Chrysalis Programmee to test and understand how it is received by this

‘‘ So, the offenders of the past will become the change agents of the future and role models of positive behaviour. ’’

PAGE 214j INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAININGj VOL. 40 NO. 4 2008

different audience. The initial feedback from the offenders has been very good, here is a

typical example:

I’ve had chance to look through the feedback responses and must say they are the best I’ve ever

seen. I especially liked the comments of Gary, who was fairly representative, ‘‘it works for me

because if I stick to this it will give me improved outcomes, a greater sense of meaning and

purpose, more life balance and peace of mind and a reputation for following through’’ (Prison

Officer Vocational Training Team).

Note

1. The Chrysalis Programmee has been designed to address offending/re-offending behaviour by

providing individuals with the skills, knowledge and behaviours that will better enable them to

change their behaviours. To find out more why not visit us at www.chrysalisprogramme.com and

help us to change the world of offender development and rehabilitation, forever.

About the author

David Apparicio is the Creator and Managing Director of The Chrysalis Programmee which provides an innovative approach to sentencing solutions that is rehabilitation and development focused, not punishment led/focused. David has just been invited by the Trustees of the RSA to become a Fellow of the RSA because they’ve recognised: ‘‘those whose achievements set them apart’’ and ‘‘innovative work in offender rehabilitation and development’’. David is Justice of the Peace, a Fellow of BILD, ITOL and Licentiate Member of CIPD. He can be contacted at: [email protected]

VOL. 40 NO. 4 2008 j INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAININGj PAGE 215

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