The service, which supports criminals to reduce the risk of them re-offending, has requested £52,000 to fund its ADAPT domestic abuse prevention training programme from 2020 and £32,000 to run its restorative justice scheme for the next four years.
Mike Cutland, the head of the Island’s Probation Service, said he had concerns if the funding was not forthcoming. However, he added: ‘We are hopeful that ministers recognise the value of these projects and have been discussing this with the Justice and Home Affairs Department.’
In a letter to the JEP, Mr Cutland said Probation have been managing a restorative justice scheme – whereby focus is put on offenders reconciling with the victims of their crime – since 2002. He said: ‘Since it’s inception the scheme has managed many hundreds of interventions and we have been delighted by the overwhelming positive response of victims who report feeling that the reparative process has given them a sense of closure from the offence.’
He added: ‘We are aware that the BASS [Building A Safer Society] funding finishes at the end of the year and are hopeful that our application to the government will be successful to allow us to continue this valuable work.’
The recent Youth Justice Review called for the ‘greater use of restorative resolutions’ when dealing with youth offenders.
Speaking about the ADAPT funding bid, a States spokeswoman said: ‘Justice and Home Affairs understands that the Probation Service have submitted a funding bid for the ADAPT programme for 2020 to the value of £52,000. Therefore the intention is that the programme will run next year and a decision will be made regarding further funding when reviewed with other Government of Jersey priorities in due course. JHA is pleased to work in partnership with Probation and recognises the value of this work in the rehabilitation of individuals and in changing behaviours for a safer Jersey.’
Mr Cutland has, most recently, raised concerns about plans to bring Probation under the arm of the States. It currently falls under the judiciary. He said doing so would make it more bureaucratic and threaten its independence.
A States spokesman responded: ‘Justice and Home Affairs have been in discussion with the Probation Service and Probation Board and have agreed the terms of reference for a review of the probation and prison services approach to managing offenders. JHA continues to work closely with the Probation Service and there are open and positive discussions regarding how this relationship will work in the future.’
