New programme helps ex-prolific offender live a crime-free life

A man who used to have a £40-a-day drug habit has been crime-free since February 2011, after becoming the first offender from North Staffordshire to be subject to an innovative alternative to custody.

Gary Rogers, from Biddulph, North Staffordshire, stole to fund his addiction and at the peak of his offending four years ago, he was classified by police and probation as a Prolific and Priority Offender (PPO).

The 38-year-old was managed by the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) unit, which incorporates an innovative alternative to custody, known as the Custody Diversion Programme (CuDP).

It works with a range of partners, including the police, youth offending teams, addiction services, housing and third sector agencies.

In February last year, Mr Rogers was convicted of a burglary from a local supermarket. He received a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement order, while becoming the first offender in North Staffordshire to start CuDP.

Launched in the region in May 2011, CuDP is designed to provide courts with a credible alternative to custody for offenders facing prison sentences of less than 12 months.

Joe Holford, a probation service officer who worked with Mr Rogers, said: “Although by May 2011 Gary was no longer classified as a prolific offender, his rate of offending meant that he was suitable for CuDP, which offers a real and credible alternative to custody.

“When the programme is combined with other community requirements, it becomes more intensive and onerous than other types of community sentence. It involves joint police and probation working to support the rehabilitation of offenders and ensure their criminal behaviour is closely monitored.

“Typically, short term prison sentences do not provide offenders with access to the various support interventions designed to address their offending behaviour and drug addiction and effectively fail to break the cycle of offending.

“This programme can offer additional monitoring and support which can help to avoid the revolving door of offending and short term custody, which Gary has experienced.”

During his six-month community order, Mr Rogers attended weekly drug rehabilitation appointment sessions, and was subject to regular drug tests. The order ended in November 2011 and he currently receives prescriptions for subutex, a heroin substitute.

Mr Rogers, who had been to prison several times in the past, said: “I couldn’t believe I’d been given a chance to stay out of jail. I’d been inside so many times that it wasn’t making an impact. I was at a stage when I got used to being banged up.

“After a couple of months, I started to notice the changes. I started to know the ‘triggers’ – such as arguing with my dad or missus. In the old days, I would get into a rage and go back into drugs and booze. But now I’ve learned to think first and not rush into it.”

Paul Levy, deputy head of probation in Staffordshire, added: “CuDP is fast becoming established across Staffordshire and Stoke, offering extra support and intervention to offenders whilst ensuring more intensive oversight from agencies in the IOM Partnership.

“CuDP is a credible direct alternative to short term prison sentences, which we know often result in high reoffending rates. Over the coming months, we are looking to further develop this structured intervention for offenders like Gary, who instead of going to prison, can be given the tools to live law-abiding lives.”