Intensive Official Launch. Welcome

Transcription

1 Intensive Official Launch Welcome

2 Arrest Referral It has been well documented that identifying drug-using offenders can significantly cut drug-related crime. This is because if the person tests positive for a Class A drug Arrest Referral they are legally required to attend an assessment which looks at treatment to support their recovery. And this coupled with Restrictions on Bail can increase motivation and engagement with Drug Services. Testing on arrest highlights drug users at the earliest opportunity. As stated above, it gives the requirement for offenders that test positive to engage with a drug worker, whereas previously this would have been voluntary engagement.

3 The detained person is drug tested either because they have committed a trigger offence or via inspectors authority. If the test is positive, the detained person is required to complete an assessment with a DIP work. If the arrest is out of hours, the detained person is booked an appointment to return to be assessed by the DIP worker within 3 working days OR will be assessed at court by the RoB worker. At the assessment the DIP worker will ascertain if further intervention is required. If no further intervention is required, harm min and other brief interventions will take place. If further intervention is required, the DIP worker will book a follow-up appointment. If the detained person is Out of Borough, the follow-up appointment will take place with the DIP team in their Borough.

4 However, engagement after the Required Initial Assessment and Follow-up assessment, engagement in any treatment is still voluntary, unless they attend court and are given Restrictions on Bail. It is explained to the detained person that has tested positive, information will be passed on to the Restrictions on Bail Co-ordinator. This information includes previous/current drug treatment, motivation to engage with drug treatment and current drug use. This information aids the Restrictions on Bail Co-ordinator to write a court report. Which leads me nicely on to.

5 Restrictions on Bail Essentially Restrictions on Bail allows us to compel offenders to access support / treatment whilst on court bail. The aim is to increase motivation and engagement with services whilst they are moving through the legal system. Positive test at police station Assessed either at police station or at court in the morning. Contact drug treatment agencies to check client engagement, contact probation to check client s probation status. Write report focusing on current drug use, motivation to engage and current treatment. Report recommending whether RoB restrictions. Copies of the report are given to CPS, Probation, Defence Solicitors, Legal Clerks and Magistrates.

6 The The RoB RoB coordinator is is present in in court court for for all cases involving all cases a positive involving drugs a positive test and drugs answers test and questions are necessary. answers questions are necessary. If the magistrates decide to grant bail then If the the defendant magistrates must decide attend to grant appointments bail then the defendant must as attend directed appointments by the RoB Coordinator. as directed by These the RoB Coordinator. appointments These may appointments be with the RoB may be with the RoB Coordinator Coordinator or with or with other other agencies. agencies. If the If the client is out of borough client the is out appointments of borough the will appointments be with the relevant local DIP will team. be with the relevant local DIP team. If it is a Richmond resident being considered for a DRR / probation reports, the RoB appointments will be used to aid the assessment process and also act as a test to see how well the defendant can comply with a community order.

7 The RoB coordinator monitors attendance at appointments regularly. If they fail to attend appointments without good reason they will be breached, arrested and brought back to court. This is not a separate offence but is a breach of bail conditions When the defendant returns to court the RoB coordinator will present a report to court on their compliance with the conditions. Once the defendant is sentenced, all RoB conditions cease. If defendants receive a custodial sentence then the coordinator will contact the prison and alert them to the defendants issues. The Coordinator can also contact local services that the client was engaged with to let them know what has happened to the client (assuming confidentiality waiver signed).

8 The Story So Far. 4 RoB cases in court, 3 given RoB conditions, 1 remanded in custody. 1 out of borough client, 3 in borough. No breaches so far. 1 client successfully completed RoB conditions and given community order including probation. Process working well so far in terms of court processes. Had meetings setting up information sharing with KCA and CDAT, meeting booked with North Road / Hampton Wick surgeries.

9 From Testing on Arrest to Restrictions on Bail Case Study

10 Police Custody Mr X was arrested for a trigger offence and when the test was completed, it was positive for heroin and cocaine. The police completed an RA1 form and Mr X was booked into be seen by the arrest referral worker. Mr X attended the Required Initial Assessment with the Arrest Referral worker and was taken onto the Drug Intervention Programme caseload. The Arrest Referral worker completed an RA4 and Mr X had to attend a Follow Up assessment for further intervention. The information that was gathered at the Required Assessment was passed onto the RoB Co-ordinator at Richmond Magistrate Court.

11 Court Mr X attended court before the Follow Up assessment had taken place. The RoB Co-ordinator completed a bail report which is given to CPS, Probation, Defence Solicitors, Legal Clerks and Magistrates. The magistrates decided to grant RoB to Mr X and he must now attend appointments as directed by the RoB Coordinator. These appointments may be with the RoB Coordinator or with other agencies. The RoB Co-ordinator cancelled the Follow Up assessment and instead this appointment became the first RoB appointment.

12 Restrictions on Bail Mr X is now engaging with the Restrictions on Bail Coordinator. Mr X is attending appointments with DIP and also the nonstatutory PPO probation officer. Mr X is also having twice weekly voluntary drug tests