Prison to try out payment by results scheme to reduce crime

It is hoped that the “innovative” project at privately-run HMP Doncaster could see more than 15,000 fewer offences a year if it is successful.

Serco, which runs the prison, said the scheme would make 10 per cent of its annual revenue dependent on it cutting the reoffending rate by five percentage points each year over the four-year trial.

During the trial period, prisoners will be given a case manager to support them both while they are serving their sentence and also upon their release.

A spokesman for Serco said: “This is important as the majority of prisoners at Doncaster, having served sentences of 12 month or less, are not entitled to any statutory support on discharge – meaning many fall back into a life of crime.

“They will offer advice and help on a range of practical matters such as employment options, housing and benefits through regular meetings at the prison and via phone calls and visits on discharge.”

Offenders will also have access to a 24-hour helpline for support and guidance, the spokesman said.

The pilot scheme will see Serco work with youth charity Catch22 and the health organisation Turning Point.

It is one of six payment-by-results projects which are part of Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke’s plans for a “rehabilitation revolution.”

John Biggin, director of Doncaster prison, said: “Ex-offenders are most vulnerable in the first three months after release. They may have lost their homes and jobs and have little to return to.

“This is when they are most likely to reoffend, and why the support we can provide them with is so important.

“This innovative scheme, which we have developed with our voluntary sector and social enterprise partners, allows us to make decisions at a local level and target our resources to provide tailored support to offenders both inside the prison and when they leave custody.”

The pilot scheme is one of six announced by the Government in its Breaking the Cycle green paper last December.

At the end of the four-year trial, the Ministry of Justice will evaluate the findings and use them to inform wider plans for a payment by results scheme.

Chris Wright, chief executive of Catch22, said the case managers would offer the “consistency of support” which offenders need to start again back in the community.