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Offenders and their families

Partnership Development Initiative - Model Framework Agreements launched

The Partnership Development Initiative was launched in 2008 to help coordinate and improve partnership working between third sector and public sector agencies who deliver criminal justice services. It is overseen by a multidisciplinary management group made up of the Scottish Prison Service, Community Justice Authorities, the Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector Forum, the Scottish Government and The Robertson Trust. More information about the aims and objectives of the Initiative are available here

The Initiative has developed The Model Framework for Partnership Working which is a tool to improve project planning, communication and co-ordination across the sectors in order to maximise its impact and sustainability. Three sets of documents are available from the Scottish Prison Service's website for Scottish Prison Services, Third Sector Services and Community Services.

These documents can be accessed here

Evidence Paper: Why Involve the Third Sector in Reducing Reoffending

The Robertson Trust is part of the Scottish Third Sector Research Forum which gathers evidence on the impact of the Third Sector. On behalf of the Forum, the Trust has produced an evidence paper on the role that the third sector plays in reducing reoffending. The paper identifies a number of unique and positive attributes that differentiates the third sector from the public and private sectors and makes it particularly effective at delivering services that reduce reoffending. These include: (1) it is value driven and characterised by a strong sense of ethics; (2) responsive to service users' needs; (3) is able to develop innovative approaches to working with offenders; (4) organisations have strong roots in local communities; (5) has a strong focus to partnership working and is able to bring different agencies together and (6) it is commited to developing strong relationships with offenders built on mutual respect and trust.

The read the full paper, please click here

Evaluation Report: 'Moving On Renfrewshire' project

‘Moving On Renfrewshire’ started as a partnership between Action for Children, Fairbridge and the Prince’s Trust as a response to the significant number of individual voluntary organisations working in Polmont YOI. Eligible young people are identified as soon as possible after they enter custody. A ‘youth work’ approach is taken to support the young offenders and linkages are made with other services both during and after custody. The evaluation of the project notes high levels of voluntary engagement with 81% of the young people who were referred to the project engaging with it in prison and 75% continuing to engage with it post-release. The project was found to contribute towards reductions in reoffending rates, improved physical and mental wellbeing and improved personal relationships.

To read a summary of the evaluation, please click here. The full report is available to read here.

Evaluation Report: Circle Scotland's Families Affected By Imprisonment project

Circle Scotland’s ‘Families Affected by Imprisonment’ project (FABI) provides throughcare support for women with children, while they are in and after they leave prison. The service offers women information and support on a range of issues including drug and alcohol misuse, child custody issues and housing provision. The evaluation of the project notes the project achieved high levels of voluntary engagement with 85% of women who accessed the project in prison continuing to do so after their release. The evaluation also suggests that the project may help contribute to reductions in offending behaviour.

To read a summary of the evaluation please click here. The full report is available to read here.

Evaluation Report: Aberlour Mother and Baby Project

Aberlour’s Mother and Baby project works with prisoners in the Mother and Baby Unit in HMP and YOI Cornton Vale and those who receive enhanced “Little Cherub” visits with pre-school children. The project aims to help the women to develop the skills required to adequately parent their children and to develop strong attachments. Parents receive a range of support including learning how to interact positively with their child through play, setting boundaries, promoting a positive diet and developing sound emotional health. The project has since been extended to also support women with older children. The evaluation of the project notes the project achieved high levels of voluntary engagement with 84% of the women who were referred to the Project Worker, choosing to engage with the project. Positive outcomes reported by service users included feeling more confident as a parent and feeling that what they learned from the project will benefit their relationships with their children.

The full report is available to read here

Evaluation Report: Includem's Gangs project

Includem’s Gang Pilot is aimed at young people who are involved in gang activity and violence in Glasgow. The project aims to reduce the young people’s offending behaviour by offering them intensive support and supervision during the times they are most likely to engage in criminal activity and works to challenge the behaviours and attitudes that lead to young people becoming involved in crime.Young people are referred to the project by Strathclyde Police and the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV). The evaluation of the project notes it acheived high levels of voluntary engagement amongst young people, with 81% of the young people who have been referred onto the project choosing to actively engage with it. Moreover 100% of the young people on the project reported a reduction in the frequency and severity of their offending behaviour.