World Congress forCommunity Volunteers
Supporting Offender
Reintegration
Stephen Pitts
Ambassador
Confederation of European Probation“European Practice andPerspectives”
Kyoto
7th March 2021

1FVPresentation Agenda• Introductory remarks• Europe and the CEP• Probation volunteers in Europe• Past• Present• Work with community volunteers –why it is important• Structures and organisation• Roles and activities• Future… some strategic considerations• Concluding remarks

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Introductory remarks…
An acknowledgement • of my family - who introduced me to the work of probation
volunteers• of the hospitality offered by VPOs during the World Congress on
Probation – Tokyo• and the insights into the work of VPOs to support desistance from crime

3Europe, European bodies,and the CEP• Europe – geographical; 44countries• European Union; 27 MemberStates• Council of Europe; 47 countries• Confederation of European
Probation (CEP) …
Members of the Council of Europe (Extract CoE website)
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Founded 1981
60 Member organisations across 40 countries
Probation agencies, Universities, NGOs, individuals, and more
Affiliate organisations around the world
5Vision for Europe“To contribute to safer communities by rehabilitating andreintegrating offenders and providing the best possible
interventions to reduce offending and the impact of crime.”
CEP ... promotes pan-European cooperation including by conferences, … reports … partnering research,jurisdiction reports, digital newsletter, website; CEP stimulates exchange of ideas on probation in Europe –and contributes enthusiastically to the World Congress on Probation!
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Past present … and future
Europe - 19th century - including Netherlands and United Kingdom

Volunteers, often attached to churches or charities, worked with courts to support
offenders – especially those with drink problems.
In Ireland work with discharged prisoners developed, an early form of parole
being practiced from the 1850s.
Followed over time by moves towards a formalised probation
service For example, UK 1887, Probation of First Offenders Act
allowed a person charged on a first offence
to be released without punishment.
No supervision order initially - this followed and ..
In 1907 the Probation Service was created.

Q; Is there a “right” or “best”
balance between thecontribution of volunteers
and the work ofprofessionals? If so, can we
say where (approximately)
It should it be?
7The importance of work withcommunity volunteers …
“Justice cannot be effectively
administered in isolation from thecommunity it seeks to serve; it
requires both the acceptance andthe respect of the public. This levelof confidence and commitment ismost likely to be achieved if
members of the public areencouraged and enabled toparticipate in the administration ofjustice”.

Past, present … and future

Recommendation CM/Rec (2017) 3 on theEuropean Rules on community
sanctions and measures“The involvement of volunteers can be part of thecontribution made by wider civil society inresponding to crime, rather than handing over suchwork solely to professionals”.

84Past, present … and future

The importance of work withcommunity volunteers …
“They can also work as mentors and can befriend
suspects and offenders, offering a relationship thatis valued all the more because it is less formal than
the relationship with a supervising officer. Suspects
and offenders often especially appreciate the timeand commitment of people who are giving theirsupport and advice without payment. Volunteers
may assist professional staff in a range of practicaltasks by agreement with the authority. Volunteers
can also act as ‘champions’ of community sanctions
and measures, helping society to better understandtheir aims and value”

Recommendation CM/Rec (2017) 3 on the European Ruleson community sanctions and measures“Although they are formally associated with theauthority in this way, just because they are notprofessionals and are unpaid, their contribution isdifferent and can serve to make and strengthen
bonds with the community.

Like professionals, volunteers can help suspects andoffenders change their lives, can serve as a positiverole model, and help offenders understand theharm done by offending”.

Note: Emphasis added

9Past, present … and future

Community Probation Volunteers• “JIVE” Report 2015 (Justice Involving Volunteers in Europe)• “The role and value of volunteers working with (ex)offenders, their families and victims of Crime”• “NGOs ... Working effectively in partnership withstatutory and private organisations”• Clinks Lead – NGO Partners from 7 EuropeanCountries• Foundation 180, The Netherlands• Aproximar, Portugal• Clinks, United Kingdom• Penal Justice Reform Foundation, Romania• BAGazs, Hungary• GRADO, Romania• Cooperativa Sociale Cellarius, Italy• University of Bremen, Germany• Funded by Justice Programme of European Union• A Baseline Survey – 2015 – Respondents from 22 EU
Member States

Two distinct areas of justice andresettlement voluntary activity –- More formal – in courts, prisons, for example
honorary judges, legal guardians, prison
advisory board members- Widespread engagement of volunteers in civilsociety through NGOs
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Jive Report 2015; Graph 4 (part) showing first 9 ranked activities undertaken by volunteers (in European survey)
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Present – overall picture
A range of structures/organization androles/activities
The following represents a small “snapshot” within
Europe... selected to illustrate the range

There are many other examples that could havebeen described126

Present – overall picture
A range of approaches to organization
FormalIntegrated with main probation service provider professionals
Organised with NGOs/Civil SocietyNGOs often recruit and deploy volunteers who are involved in a wide variety of activities
Single focus, for example resettlement from prison,
Multiple focus
within the justice system, for example resettlement, mediation
within the justice system and with other (non-offender) client groups

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Present – Organisation 1
AUSTRIAINTEGRATED Volunteers and Professionals
NEUSTART – Probation Service - Private not-for-profit organization
Volunteers and Professionals working closely together
Number of volunteers – 992 (f 59.85% m 39.72%)
Number of professional employees – 432 (f 57.4%, m 42.36%)
Role - personal tutor, social work
Requirements include
Standardised selection
Compulsory education curriculum
Team working led by professional, regular team meetings
Full case responsibility (supervisory control by team leader)
Selected cases, maximum 5 clients
Quality manual for volunteers
ExpensesSignificance includes
Additional- know-how and work experience- personal potential in supervision- external resources
Experience – 8.5 years average
View from outside
Ambassadors of values
Cost reduction (but high quality supervision)
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Connection to society

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Present – Organisation 2… and future
IRELAND

UK - ENGLAND AND WALES

The Probation Service actively supports and promotes
the work of volunteers through funded NGOs.

HM Prison and Probation Service
12 (new) Regions
Probation Service delivers core probation tasks

In total, the Probation Service funds over 60 Community
Based Organisations (CBOs/NGOs) providing services
and interventions.
All CBOs/NGOs are charitable bodies with volunteer
boards of management overseeing service delivery,
management and strategic policy in concert with theProbation Service.

Regionally Contracts and Commissions

Specialist Services, including civil society
Integrated approach - Co-location encouraged
to support reintegration: probation officers,volunteers, police, prisons, health
Volunteers may include peers“Clinks” provides national support of15
voluntary and community sector in justice system

Present – Roles/activities - Reintegration
Gevangenenzorg Nederland (Netherlands)• One of 100 affiliates of Prison Fellowship International (60,000 Volunteers globally)• NGO – allowed visits outside of family visits time
• Volunteers meet prisoners in prison, meet families, and follow through after release• “Merciful justice, helping prisoners and families to restore their lives during and after
detention”• “Trustworthy, listening, non-judgemental - people from society, investing time and energy
in their future, for no apparent financial or other benefit to the volunteer”• Govt. annual budget for NGOs about 4 Million Euros, 40 recognised NGOs, and 4,000volunteers

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The Clink Restaurant Charity (UK)
• In partnership with Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service• “Clink Integrated Rehabilitation Programme (CIRP)” – 11 years• Training and work experience – hospitality and horticulture industries• Involves industry professionals, mentors and others• Delivers 12 training projects: 4 prison restaurants, 3 gardens, 3 kitchens, 1 events
catering business and 1 cafe.
• National qualifications and soft skills• Integrated Programme in prison and post-release: Recruit, Train, Support, findEmployment and Mentor.
• Mentors assist with CVs, ensure somewhere to live, job interviews, meet at gate,ongoing support 12 months +• 280 hospitality employers• 65.6% reduced reoffending; £1 philanthropic funds = £4.80 national saving• Circa 100,000 customers dine in prisons, 1 million customers in total – changing public
perceptions of prisoners. National awards. All four restaurants achieved No 1 on
TripAdvisor (on one occasion at the same time!) – suggesting support strong public

Present – Roles/activities - Reintegration

17Present – Roles/activities- Peer Mentoring
ST GILES UK - charity using expertise and real-life past experiences to empower people...
“Turning a past into a future”• Multiple focus including people caught up in crime or a combination of issues• Prevention, resettlement, reducing reoffending - Peer Advisor Programme – 35 male and female
prisons - majority of peer advisors embark on qualification whilst in prison
KRIS (Criminals Return Into Society) – Sweden• Formed 1997 by individuals with long history of involvement in crime and drug misuse• Association of people with similar experiences - supportive network for individuals wishing to leave alife of crime and drug abuse behind them.

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Present – Roles/activities- Peer Mentoring
Shannon Trust – UK - Peers improving literacy• “We inspire and train prisoners who can read to teach prisoners who can’t.”• Uses “Turning Pages”, a phonics based reading programme• Prison schemes are also supported by visiting volunteers based in the community
SAMARITANS – UK and Ireland• Peer "listener" schemes in prisons supports those who are struggling to cope
• Telephone, mail, and visit support from volunteers based in community (may also support staff)• Samaritans services are confidential, whether in relation to individuals in prison, or any other setting

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Present – Roles/activities

Multiple Volunteer
Roles

Le Chéile Mentoring – Ireland••••

Youth Mentor
Parent Mentor
Restorative Justice Volunteer
Victim Panel Volunteer•Independent research with young people who have offended and their parents.., reported they really appreciatedthe fact that the mentors are volunteers. They often have many professionals involved already – they value therelationship, the chats, the encouragement and hope.
•Le Cheile’s mentoring service is a partnership with the statutory Probation Service; evidence of statutory - voluntary
partnership working well with young people with high levels of need, with effective training, support andsupervision provided by Le Cheile for the volunteers.
(Italics added) 20

10Present – Roles/activities -Work with Women …

and future

The Footprints Project (England) – Gender Specific Support for Women
Reintegration• Visited by specialist female member of staff• Assess needs and offer additional support around domestic violence, sexual abuse and sexualexploitation.
• Women are matched to female mentors who continue the gender specific support in the community• Services include; meet at prison gate, transport to local area, ensure immediate needs met such as
health registration, probation meetings, financial support registration, foodbanks• Mentor support may be weekly, plus phone, for as long as requiredFemale Out of Court Diversionary Scheme in partnership with police• Women who are classified as vulnerable and at the point of arrest of committing a crime• For the first time, or have previous criminal record but have not offended in the past 2 years.
• Given conditional caution and opportunity to work with project rather than offence progressing tocourt. Vulnerabilities include mental health problems, women living in coercive or controlling
relationships, domestic violence, and committing petty crime to support their family.
• Meet specialist worker once a week for 4-6 weeks - then offered on-going volunteer support 21

Present – Restorative Approaches
Community Restorative Justice Ireland• Delivers a range of accredited restorative justice practices and programmes designed to empower
individuals to resolve issues that affect their quality of life
• Mediation services, advice services, intervention services, other forms of support• Volunteers receive accredited restorative justice training and must pass comprehensive background check.
Restorative Solutions (England and Wales) - Volunteers receive one day induction and 3 day accredited training,plus group and 1:1 supervision. May lead to professional qualification.
Work with people convicted of harmful sexual behaviour
Circles UK (2008); Circles of Support and Accountability – “COSA” (UK England and Wales, Latvia, Netherlands,Ireland, and other jurisdictions)
COSA – a group of 4 – 6 volunteers who work with the core member (the person with the harmful sexualbehaviour)
Meet regularly - over time a group cohesiveness develops
The circle supports the core member in the community encouraging them to be responsible and accountable
for their behaviour, and links with outer circle including professionals
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Present – Roles/activities

Overseas Prisoner Reintegration andSupport
Support for prisoners detained overseas (Netherlands)• Dutch volunteers living in the country of detention visit prisoners andprovide a range of assistance guided by Dutch Probation Service resources
and a team of international probation officers in the Netherlands• Detention abroad causes additional social exclusion resulting in decreasing
chances of reintegration and increasing risk of reoffending• Assistance includes help in dealing with stress, addressing practical problems,
emotional support, and preparation for return
23Community Probation Volunteers
Past, present … future
World Congress for Community Volunteers
Supporting Offender Reintegration

KYOTO Declaration on Community Volunteers
Supporting Offender Reintegration
Recognising value, promoting the role ... in support of reintegration, preventing crime,and constructing peaceful and secure communities
Important areas for future development - including evaluation...
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Community Probation Volunteers
Past, present … future
JIVE* REPORT 2015 – FINDINGS INCLUDE -“Overall, the results of the study indicate that organisations which involve
volunteers are moving towards further improving their standards, through the useof recruitment strategies, standardisation and quality management.
However, to truly modernise volunteering, it must lose its image of being an activity
which people just do for personal, altruistic reasons, and move towards becoming akey social networking activity grounded in a commitment to civic engagement.

Volunteering should be seen as an integral part of the rehabilitation process, notas simply an add-on or free resource”.
“Volunteering is freely given, but not cost free –- it needs and deserves targeted support from all stakeholders”(Emphasisadded)*Justice
Involving Volunteers in Europe25

Community Probation Volunteers
Past, present … future
JIVE* REPORT 2015 – RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE --European mandate to promote improved integration of justice andvoluntary sector services-European standard of accredited training to improve response tocomplex target groups-Improve recruitment, training and support to reflect a demanding
voluntary role
-Adequate resources and volunteer’s value recognized-Invest in a culture of volunteering-Recognise diversity-Reward, recognize and motivate-Improve evaluation-Support volunteering to build healthy, resilient communities*Justice Involving Volunteers in Europe(Emphasis added)

2613Community Probation Volunteers
Past, present … and future• A new resource about volunteers• Clinks (2020)• “Managing Volunteers in organisations working in thecriminal justice system”

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Community Probation
Volunteers
Past, present … future
Closing remarks -KYOTO Declaration on Community Volunteers
Supporting Offender Reintegration... highly significant step towards enhancing the role ofcommunity probation volunteers – and their support at a
global level - of reintegration, preventing crime, andbuilding peaceful and secure communities

Thank you for your Attention!
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www.cep-probation.org
info@cep-probation.org@CEP probation@CEPprobation

CEP Probation
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