Rehabilitation & Re-offending: A Holistic Approach by Catch22

Lisa Smitherman, Strategic Director for Justice and Education, Catch22 joined us at our National Combatting Gangs, Violence and County Lines Conference 2024. In today’s society, the rehabilitation of offenders and the reduction of re-offending are critical issues. Catch 22, a not-for-profit social business, has taken a unique approach to address these challenges through comprehensive, community-based strategies. Their vision is to create a strong society where everyone has a good place to live, a purpose, and supportive relationships, referred to as the three Ps. The full presentation and summary are available in this article.

A Mission to Build Resilience and Aspiration

Catch 22 has been committed to designing and delivering services that foster resilience and aspiration for over 200 years. They operate with a social mission to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to these essential elements. Their work extends from community engagement to targeted interventions within the prison system.

Community Engagement and Targeted Interventions

In the community, Catch 22 adopts an end-to-end approach that involves working with individuals, families, and schools to prevent gang involvement and its detrimental effects. Within prisons, they provide targeted interventions that address community issues and reduce gang-related activities. This dual approach has proven more effective than traditional suppression-only strategies used by many prisons.

In the past year, Catch 22 has engaged with 3,939 individuals, achieving a 98% engagement rate and 89% improvement in identified needs. These statistics are a testament to the effectiveness of their comprehensive, person-centred approach, which considers the whole person, including their relationships, mental health, and accommodation issues.

Holistic Rehabilitation: More Than Just Crime

Effective rehabilitation goes beyond punishment; it addresses the underlying causes of criminal behaviour to reduce the likelihood of individuals returning to gang activities. Catch 22’s approach involves a holistic view, focusing on the individual’s entire life situation, including friends, family, mental health, and accommodation. This comprehensive assessment allows for tailored support through various interventions, addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour.

A crucial aspect of their methodology is the removal of organisational or personal ego. Recognising that they do not have all the answers, Catch 22 promotes a multidisciplinary response, ensuring the right services are available at the right time. Continuous review and feedback from the target group ensure that interventions remain effective and relevant.

Employment, Education, and Training: Keys to Sustainability

Employment, education, and training (ETE) are vital for sustainable rehabilitation. Without effective ETE opportunities, individuals can easily fall back into gang involvement and crime. Catch 22’s Straight Up service in Birmingham, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), provides bespoke, one-to-one support plans for those impacted by gangs or at risk of poor ETE outcomes. This service includes practical solutions and diversionary activities such as music and sports to engage and motivate individuals.

A comprehensive assessment creates long-term solutions tailored to each individual. This includes advocacy and support in accessing financial aid through the DWP, arranging work experience placements, and developing personalised gang exit strategies. The multi-agency approach, with enhanced communication among partners and stakeholders, has resulted in 67% of the cohort achieving positive outcomes in areas such as housing, substance misuse, and healthcare.

Cost-Effectiveness of Prevention and Rehabilitation

The financial implications of effective rehabilitation are significant. The average annual cost for a prisoner in the UK is around £40,000, while the average UK salary is about £31,000. With approximately 95,000 prisoners, focusing on prevention and effective rehabilitation strategies is not only humane but also cost-effective (Ministry of Justice, 2023). By addressing root causes and providing sustainable support, Catch 22’s approach helps to reduce the overall cost to society.

Addressing Gang-Related Violence in Prisons

Addressing gang-related violence in prisons is crucial, as individuals may become gang-associated once in custody. Catch 22’s custodial gang services, introduced in HMP Teesside in 2013 and expanded to other prisons, aim to reduce risks posed by gang-involved prisoners and promote positive educational and employment opportunities upon release.

Related articles: Tackling County Lines Exploitation in HMPs with The Met & ERSOU

Overcrowding in UK Prisons: Misbehaviour & Rehabilitation Initiatives

Training for Professionals: Building Awareness and Understanding

Catch 22 also provides training for professionals working with gang-associated individuals, covering gang culture, serious youth violence, and safeguarding strategies. This training is essential for partners and key players in the sector, with 99% of participants reporting increased understanding post-training.

Academic Partnerships: Enhancing Delivery Through Research

Partnerships with universities play a key role in enhancing Catch 22’s delivery. Collaborating with institutions like Cambridge University, Catch 22 produces research reports and training resources, drawing on the expertise of research institutes to avoid working within an echo chamber. For instance, Dr Nicole Adams Quackenbush’s evaluation of Catch 22’s Wolverhampton gang reduction services has helped improve their quality and assurance tools.

Holistic Approach to Rehabilitation and Reducing Re-Offending

Catch 22’s holistic approach to rehabilitation and reducing re-offending, focusing on early intervention, comprehensive assessments, and multidisciplinary responses, addresses the root causes of criminal behaviour. By equipping individuals with the necessary skills and providing continuous support, Catch 22 aims to reduce and prevent re-offending, ultimately creating a safer and more inclusive society.

This was presented at our National Combatting Gangs, Violence and County Lines Conference 2024. For more insights like this please see our latest event below.

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References

• Catch 22. (2023). Annual Report 2023.
• Ministry of Justice. (2023). Prison population figures.