Tough US-style courts to crack down on repeat offenders

A £9 million funding boost announced today (12 June) will help to more than double the number of Intensive Supervision Courts, an innovative approach to sentencing which aims to cut reoffending by tackling the root causes of crime.

The model recognises that factors like addiction and trauma can be the root causes of repeat offending. It forces low-level offenders to attend weekly sessions and regularly appear before the same judge who will track their behaviour, reserving prison spaces for the dangerous criminals who need them.

Those who fail to attend hearings, continue to misuse substances or refuse to engage in mandatory treatment courses will face tough consequences such as tagging or even time in prison for breaching strict conditions.

These problem-solving courts have reduced reoffending across the world, with countries using this model seeing a reduction in further arrests of one third compared to offenders serving standard sentences – ending the revolving door of prison and cutting crime. 

In Texas alone, the approach helped drive a significant reduction in the prison population and contributed to a 29 per cent drop in crime.  

The expansion will see the number of these pioneering courts rise from 5 to 11 sites across the country, with a specific focus on prolific offenders, women and those with substance misuse issues.

Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, David Lammy said:

Prolific offending often goes hand in hand with addiction and trauma, and tackling that can help cut crime.  

These tough new courts ensure offenders are held to account while giving them the tools they need to turn their lives round for good, reducing reoffending and making our streets safer in the process.

Evidence shows offenders on probation are far more likely than the general public to experience addiction and mental health issues, which are proven to increase the likelihood of reoffending.

Further studies show how more than two thirds of women in custody report being victims of domestic abuse, a factor which is a known indicator of crimes. They also reveal how more than half of female offenders have sustained brain injuries while roughly the same percentage have drug addictions.  

Tackling these underlying issues and addressing the root causes of crime helps to prevent more victims and reduce the £18 billion overall cost of reoffending to the taxpayer.

Baroness Gillian Merron Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women’s and Mental Health said:

We know that custody alone does little to rehabilitate offenders, particularly those whose crimes are driven by addiction or mental health issues.

This initiative will help them turn their lives around by unpacking these issues and giving them the support they need to turn their backs on crime for good.

Through this we can cut reoffending and make communities safer, while getting those often left behind back on their feet and contributing to society again.

The expansion builds on the success of four existing pilot courts in Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Teesside which have seen hundreds of offenders receive tough supervision in a bid to help them leave behind a life of crime. A fifth court has been announced and is due to open in Liverpool later this year.

A recent evaluation of the pilot scheme showed two thirds of offenders did not breach their orders while those with significant addiction issues received a clean drug test two-thirds of the time, clear evidence that the model is working. 

Additionally, probation staff, the judiciary and local services like drug treatment providers have reported that offenders’ drug and alcohol use has reduced and those requiring help with their mental health were now receiving the right support to help cut their offending.

Dr Tom McNeil, CEO of The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls 

Too many people are trapped in a revolving door of prison, at substantial cost to the taxpayer and public services. The system isn’t working for them, and it’s not working for society.

That’s why today’s announcement is a significant step in the right direction and follows the evidence on what works to divert women away from custody. In our work with partners across the justice system, we’ve seen first-hand the positive impact these courts have on tackling underlying issues.

Intensive Supervision Courts target prolific low-level offenders whose needs are better addressed in the community, helping to break the cycle of repeat offending. However, prison will continue to play an important role for serious offenders who pose the highest risk to the public.

The Government is increasing probation funding by up to £700 million extra by 2028/29, including the recruitment of at least 1,300 additional probation officers over the next year. This will help deliver tougher, more effective supervision of violent offenders and better protect the public.

This includes the biggest expansion of tagging in British history, with thousands more domestic abusers, thieves and burglars now subject to GPS and alcohol monitoring as part of a £100 million crackdown on crime.