I know the numbers of breaches are higher than that. Offenders have high, complex needs but they're being lumped into a group to meet time targets, which is resulting in individual treatment getting lost. Harry Fletcher, assistant general secretary of the National Association of Probation Officers, says officers have had reservations about the initiative since it was piloted in three areas. They fear that offenders will be taken on to the scheme with little hope of completion. The drop-out rate now is much higher.
Officers feel they've been set up to fail.
Cranstoun Drugs Services and charity Turning Point, two other DTTO contractors, both say it is too early to measure the effectiveness of the orders. If they've got nowhere to live, and are struggling with addiction, it's just not possible to stick to the programme. It's not really addressing issues about housing and employment. We're put into groups and asked to talk about our week. Some people are very confused.