Community Sentence Treatment pilots to be rolled out

Vulnerable offenders in the criminal justice system will be offered targeted treatment under new plans to further reduce re-offending.

The Ministry of Justice has announced that successful Community Sentence Treatment pilots are to be rolled out to nine more courts in two new areas, meaning that more offenders will be diverted towards community sentences where they will receive treatment for mental health, drug or alcohol issues, often deemed to be the root cause of offending behaviour.

Pilots have already seen an almost 250 per cent increase in those referred for mental health treatment within 18 months and a higher rate of compliance with the terms of an order, just eight per cent failed to comply with their requirements. The approach will now be rolled out to new sites in London and Greater Manchester.

Justice Secretary David Gauke said: “Providing targeted, tailored and timely mental health and addiction treatment for vulnerable offenders across the country will help cut reoffending - saving taxpayers’ money and making our communities safer.

“We will support agencies across health and justice to work more closely together to ensure offenders have the right support and to build greater confidence in community sentences. This is just the start of our shared vision to reshape offender health and strengthen community sentences, ultimately improving rehabilitation and breaking the cycle of offending.”