Veterans in Custody and SSAFA Prison In Reach

Nick Wood Armed Forces and Veterans Development & Veterans Awareness CPD Lecturer Karen Oldfield Head of Specialist Services

Who is a Veteran? (What’s in a name?) There are an estimated 4.8 million veterans in the country and with their wives, husbands, partners or children they make up the estimated 10 million strong ex Armed Forces community. You are a Veteran if you have been paid for one days service in HM Armed Forces Nearly 1 in 10 of all adult males in the UK are Veterans (MOD Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report, 2014, pg 57) 83% of Service Leavers found to make successful transition to civilian life Definition: A Veteran is anyone who has served in HM Armed Forces, Regular or Reservist including National Servicemen, former Polish forces under British Command and Merchant Mariners who have seen duty in military operations (e.g. the Falklands Conflict).

Veterans in Prison and on Probation HM Prison Inspectorate: In 2012, 32 Prisons visited indicating that the overall average was 6.5% Veterans in Custody: Snap shot figure Suggested between 3.5% (2, ) to 6.5% (2012) of offenders ex Armed Forces Fluid annual prison population Most Common Offence: Alcohol related violent offending Veterans on Probation: Snap shot figure Suggested 3.4% (5, ) to 6.5% (2012) of offenders ex Armed Forces Source: DASA (2009) – HMIP (2012)

The key “ASK THE QUESTION” Identify the Veteran at the earliest opportunity (Phillips Inquiry - NHS England Liaison & Diversion) Liaise with ex Armed Forces support organisations and include interventions into Resettlement plans – Offender Management Identify Veterans lead or point of contact Develop a communication network “Have you served in the Armed Forces as a Regular, Reservist or are you a Dependant of someone who has/is?”

What is Veterans in Custody Support ? How can it support resettlement ?

Identification at the earliest opportunity (10 to 15 years before seeking support. Source: Combat Stress) Veteran resettlement and family/dependant support Accurate data gathering – Oasys & PNomis Liaise with Off - Management services to share resettlement information - inclusion in sentence planning and release plans Forums – Third sector information sharing and advice Cost effective – free to access interventions Staff interest and support (many are Veterans) Peer Supporter opportunities

Reflects Oasys & NOMS 7 Pathways: Accommodation and support Education, training and employment Health Drugs and alcohol Finance, benefits and debt Children and families Attitudes, thinking & behaviour

What is SSAFA Prison in Reach and how can it assist offender management and Veterans with resettlement ?

SSAFA Prison In-reach Headlines Oldest UK Military charity Network of 7,500 volunteers across the UK Currently working in 112 prison Non judgmental Practical, financial and emotional support

SSAFA Prison In-reach Who do we support? How do we help? Accessing SSAFA PIR –How –When

Armed Forces Covenant, Policies, Guidance and Inquiries

The Armed Forces Covenant “The Armed Forces Covenant is a statement of the moral obligation which exists between the nation, the Government and the Armed Forces” Enshrined in law, in the Armed Forces Act 2011 Sections: Healthcare Deployment Education Housing Benefits and Tax Responsibility of Care Family Life Commercial Products and Services Transition Support after Service

Example of Key Points: Ask the Question: Critical Staff awareness and ongoing training: Critical L & D Identification, Screening and Referral Probation and CRC’s Third Sector Engagement Judiciary and Legal Representation Training Peer Mentoring VOWG/COBSEO Veterans in the CJS Cluster HM Government inquiry Phillips report Conclusion: Reoffending rates could be reduced at little cost

Summary: Identification in line with Phillips review – OaSYS & PNomis Access to Resettlement Support and Interventions – cost effective Delivered by trained and experienced SSAFA PIR volunteers Support for Veterans family whilst in custody – reducing anxiety Interventions in line with NOMS Resettlement Pathways Contributes to AF Covenant and Reducing Reoffending agenda’s High HMP and Probation Staff interest

Thank you Karen Oldfield Nick Wood