Written evidence submitted by The Wise Group (RAR0094)

The Wise Group is a leading social enterprise dedicated to lifting people out of poverty across the UK. Since 1983 we have delivered customer-led solutions to lift thousands of households out of poverty. Today, we continue to build bridges to opportunity for the most vulnerable in our society through Relational Mentoring. We support individuals into employment, out of fuel poverty, and help those leaving prison to build better futures. Our approach is guided by our values of collaboration, innovation, and going the extra mile to create sustainable and positive change.

Through our Relational Mentoring Framework, we build better lives, stronger communities, and meaningful partnerships. These partnerships span businesses, government bodies, and third-sector organisations to deliver life-changing support to thousands of individuals and families annually.

Section 1: Reoffending – Measuring the Problem

Q1. What are the levels of reoffending in England and Wales, and how has this changed over time?

The proven reoffending rate in England and Wales for the October to December 2022 cohort was 26.4% (an increase from 24.9% in 2021/22)

Over the past two decades, this rate has fluctuated between 23.1% and 31.8% (MOJ Proven Reoffending Statistics).

• Adults had a reoffending rate of 26.1%.
• Juveniles had a reoffending rate of 31.4%.
• Adults released from custodial sentences of less than 12 months had the highest rate at 56.6% (MOJ Proven Reoffending Statistics).

Approximately 79,000 offenders were released from custody, received a non-custodial conviction at court, or received a reprimand or warning in this period. Around 21,000 of these individuals committed a proven reoffence within the one-year follow-up period, contributing to nearly 86,000 proven reoffences in total (MOJ Statistics).

Factors influencing reoffending include accommodation and employment status. For instance:

• Adult offenders who were rough sleeping upon release had a reoffending rate of 67.2%.
• Offenders who were unemployed six weeks post-release had a reoffending rate of 35.3%, compared to 16.8% for those employed (MOJ Statistics).

What are the different approaches to measuring reoffending?

England and Wales: Proven reoffending is defined as any offence committed within 12 months of release or the start of a community sentence and proven in court within an additional six-month period (MOJ Statistics).

International Comparisons: Denmark measures reconviction over two years, with a reconviction rate of 63% (World Population Review).

Sweden employs long-term desistance metrics, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes (Natasha Porter Blog).

How does reoffending in England and Wales compare to other countries?

England and Wales have high reoffending rates for short-term custodial sentences (e.g., 56.6% for sentences under 12 months), significantly higher than countries like Sweden, which focuses on rehabilitative approaches.

Sweden’s “Better Out” philosophy emphasises reducing criminal identity through education and structured activities, achieving recidivism rates below 33% (Natasha Porter Blog).

Section 2: Rehabilitation in Prisons

Q1. What is the regime offer in different types of prisons?

The regime offers in prisons vary significantly depending on the prison type. Below we have offered insights based on the experience of our ‘in prison’ and ‘in community’ Mentors:

• High-security prisons: More restrictions, limiting opportunities for rehabilitation. It can be difficult for our Mentors to access individuals to provide support due to the restricted regime. One example of the Wise Group’s work is in HMP Frankland where we support men with Finance, Benefit and Debt needs, reducing and preventing additional financial hardship. The barriers to engaging prisoners and delivering the service in a high security establishment include; lengthy high security vetting, long sentences affect the number of referrals made to the service and there are barriers regarding key access.
• Open prisons: Greater access to education, vocational training, and rehabilitative activities. The Wise Group offer Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) services within open prisons which supports resettlement. A challenge of working in open prisons is access to prisoners due to them being released on temporary licence
• Female prisons provide better family support compared to male establishments, offering tailored programmes such as the Positive Parenting Programme (as highlighted in HMIP Reports). For example, Wise Group Mentors maintain a daily presence in HMP Low Newton, where they provide holistic support to women. This approach strengthens relationships between customers and professional services, ensuring a seamless and integrated delivery of support.
• Youth custody estates: Focus on education and behavioural development but often lack sufficient trauma-informed resources (Working with Trauma).
• Private prisons: Place a strong emphasis on links with industry and employment opportunities to support successful reintegration post-release. While private estates may operate differently from HMP establishments in terms of staff access, they provide structured environments that prioritise purposeful activities for individuals in custody. Mentors play a vital role in navigating these schedules, working collaboratively to ensure customer appointments are effectively coordinated while aligning with the prisons’ focus on purposeful engagement.
• Challenges common across all prison estates include limited workspace, restricted access to keys, a lack of private meeting spaces, and difficulties in using telephones to facilitate calls with customers. The Wise Group has consistently demonstrated the value of relatable experience when supporting individuals in prison and on probation. While we successfully utilise this approach in community settings, replicating it within prisons would bring significant benefits. Unfortunately, current vetting and security requirements present some barriers to implementing this model in custodial environments.

How does this differ for the following cohorts?

Based on our experience of working with each cohort:

• Female prisoners: Face unique challenges such as trauma and caregiving responsibilities. 82% report mental health issues, and 70% have experienced domestic violence. Tailored interventions, like mentoring address these needs
• Remand prisoners: Often excluded from rehabilitative programmes due to short stays. They face delays in accessing healthcare and struggle to engage in education or work due to sentence uncertainty. Counselling is also difficult to access for remand prisoners as it could be detrimental to start counselling and then be transferred to another establishment or released.

• IPP prisoners: Long-term uncertainty leads to mental health challenges. Limited programme availability within regions often requires moving these prisoners across prison estates.
• Youth custody estate: Youths often experience social isolation and mental health issues due to being housed far from their families, which impacts rehabilitation.

Does the regime offer encompass the principles of individual desistance, and to what extent could it?

Working in partnership is critical.

The Wise Group is proud to lead in delivering high-quality mentoring partnerships for individuals serving short-term custodial sentences and for those on remand. Our Mentors work across prisons, supporting individuals from pre-release to successful reintegration into the community.

We support around 9,000 individuals directly linked to the justice system per year. Our approach significantly increases the chances of successful reintegration and desistance, as it is designed to address the unique needs of each individual while complementing existing public services. Our prison-based mentors collaborate closely with prison staff to ensure a seamless and impactful delivery.

What We Do: Reducing Reoffending Through Holistic Support

Our co-designed service, shaped by expert mentors and rehabilitated prison-leavers, provides comprehensive support, including:

• Assistance with securing stable accommodation upon release.
• Support for mental health, addiction recovery, and behavioural change.
• Digital inclusion initiatives.
• Financial guidance and connection to universal services.
• Support for gaining and maintaining meaningful employment, where appropriate.

Data shows that without intervention, over 50% of individuals serving short-term custodial sentences may reoffend and return to prison, creating more victims. Through our holistic and personalised support, only 10.5% of individuals we mentor reoffend. By reducing reoffending, we reduce victimisation and rebuild lives - not just for those leaving prison but for their families and communities as well.

How We Do It: Consistent, Effective Mentoring

Our evidence-led approach, honed over decades of service delivery, ensures consistent and transformative Mentoring. Our model is rooted in:

• Person-centred mentoring: One-on-one mentoring builds trust and personal relationships that are critical for breaking the cycle of reoffending.
• Voluntary engagement: Participation in the programme is voluntary, empowering individuals to make positive choices and commit to sustainable behavioural change.
• Consistency: Ability to ensure all eligible individuals are offered the opportunity to engage with our service, regardless of geography or circumstances.
• Efficient use of resources: With the cost of a year in prison exceeding £40,000, our average cost of supporting a prison-leaver for up to a year is just £1,096, delivering substantial savings while reducing reoffending.

Our data has been independently evaluated by the Fraser of Allander Institute (Fraser of Allander Report).

Looking to overseas examples, Sweden’s “Better Out” philosophy exemplifies integration of desistance principles, focusing on structured programmes to address criminal identity and foster behavioural change (Natasha Porter Blog).

Q2. What impact does custody have on prisoner health and wellbeing, and how effective is provision for this in prison in promoting rehabilitation?

Custody often exacerbates health and wellbeing issues due to overcrowding and limited mental health support. Women’s prisons report an 11% increase in self-harm incidents as of December 2023 (HMIP Reports). Over the past decade, Wise Group mentoring programmes like Through the Gate and New Routes enhance post-release support (TTG Phase 2 Report) by providing one-to-one person centred support pre and post liberation by a professional Mentor. Wise Group Mentors have witnessed how custody affects individuals due to a variety of constraints such as very limited access to services, friends and family, physical activity, outdoor space and barriers in carrying out tasks they would ordinarily be able to complete. By advocating for customers our mentors enhance wellbeing.

What role does trauma-informed practice have on the delivery of purposeful activities in prisons?

In England and Wales, initiatives like peer mentoring demonstrate how trauma-informed frameworks enhance engagement and outcomes (Peer Mentoring in Men’s Prisons).

In Scotland, the Scottish Government has developed a Roadmap for Creating Trauma-Informed and Responsive Change: Guidance for Organisations, Systems and Workforces in Scotland (2023).  This includes open-source access to a National Trauma Transformation Programme (https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/our-work/trauma-national-trauma-transformation-programme/). Holistic, person centred services like New Routes and Shine embed the principles of the Roadmap to ensure that all delivery and support is trauma-informed. For example:

• Our Mentors are sensitive to past traumas when gathering background information (e.g. protected characteristics) and respect boundaries.
• Mentors use specialist techniques (e.g. active listening, cognisant of body language/tone) to create a safe/non-judgmental, space and build rapport/trust with individuals.
• We avoid overwhelming individuals with paperwork and administrative tasks. Instead, we will focus our efforts on creating a phased journey that aligns with their personal needs/circumstances.
• Our Mentors are trained (Trauma Skilled Practice) to recognise signs and symptoms of trauma and to actively prevent re-traumatisation. This includes reducing the need for individuals to recount their traumatic experiences multiple times by streamlining communication. 
• We give individuals control over their journey. They have autonomy over the services and interventions included in their personal Action Plans which are designed to address their needs and build on their strengths.

Q3. What is the current offer of training and education available in prisons, and is it sufficient?

Training and education offerings vary widely. While some prisons offer robust vocational training and accredited qualifications, others struggle with consistent delivery. Peer mentoring programmes enhance engagement in education and skills development, addressing these gaps (Peer Mentoring in Men’s Prisons).

Enhanced mentoring can guide individuals toward education and employment opportunities post-release (Fraser of Allander Report) and importantly can be an enabler of sustained education and employmenet.

The Through the Gate service offered support to access Employment Training and Education, leading to positive destinations for both men and women.

Our data and experience also tells us that despite ranking education and training highly on the list of barriers, our Mentors report that other barriers such as housing, confidence, literacy and addiction need to be addressed first before the individual can work towards engaging in education and training. This is why a holistic service which addresses needs based on priority is essential when supporting reintegration.  This approach ultimately leads to better outcomes for the individual.

Q4. To what extent are prisoners given enough time out of their cells to engage in purposeful activity?

Time out of cells remains limited in many establishments, particularly those affected by overcrowding and staffing shortages. Structured regimes like those in Swedish prisons demonstrate how meaningful activity reduces idleness and promotes safety (Natasha Porter Blog). Wise Group Mentors report an inconsistency in time out of cells. This can be affected by staff shortages and building works leading to wing lockdowns and temporary wing closures.

Structured mentoring programmes like Through the Gate ensured continued rehabilitative engagement post-release with a specific focus on key needs areas such as accommodation, employment Training and Education, Finances and debt.

Q5. How do current prison population constraints affect the availability and quality of rehabilitation programmes? 

Current prison population constraints significantly impact the availability and quality of rehabilitation programmes in several ways:

Overcrowding: Many prisons in England and Wales operate above their designed capacity. Overcrowding limits the availability of spaces in education and rehabilitation programmes, as physical facilities and resources are overstretched. Our in-prison Mentors report that while some prisons are designated as a “working prison,” they often struggle to maintain consistent participation in vocational programmes due to capacity pressures.

Staffing shortages: High prison populations exacerbate staffing shortages, which are critical for delivering rehabilitative services. Reduced staff-to-prisoner ratios mean fewer opportunities for one-on-one mentoring and tailored interventions. Mentoring services, which rely on consistent engagement, are more difficult to implement effectively in overcrowded facilities (Fraser of Allander Report).

Reduced time out of cell: Overcrowding often leads to restrictions on time out of cells, leaving prisoners with limited access to purposeful activities such as education, training, or therapy. Swedish prisons highlight the importance of structured days to prevent boredom and idleness (Natasha Porter Blog).

Inconsistent delivery of programmes: High populations can disrupt programme schedules, leading to inconsistent access and lower quality of delivery. Staff shortages also contribute to reduced monitoring and follow-up, which are critical for effective rehabilitation.

Impact on vulnerable individuals: Overcrowding disproportionately affects vulnerable cohorts, such as IPP prisoners and those with neurodiverse needs. For example, in some prisons, efforts to support neurodiverse prisoners may be hindered by resource constraints.

Q6. To what extent do prison buildings and their maintenance facilitate or hinder rehabilitation? 

The physical condition of prison buildings and their maintenance play a critical role in facilitating or hindering rehabilitation efforts. The design, age, and upkeep of facilities can significantly impact prisoners' mental health, access to rehabilitative programmes, and the effectiveness of staff in delivering services.

Overcrowded and outdated facilities: Many prisons in England and Wales are operating in buildings that were not designed to accommodate modern rehabilitative practices. Overcrowding exacerbates the wear and tear on facilities, leading to cramped, poorly maintained spaces that hinder effective programme delivery.

For example, prisons with limited workshop and classroom space struggle to provide consistent access to education or vocational training.

Mentoring has been proven to be effective but should ideally take place in a private room to help build trust. In many older prisons there is insufficient meeting space meaning people in prison are asked highly sensitive questions while standing on the wings where conversations risk being overheard.

Impact on mental health and wellbeing: Poorly maintained buildings, such as those with inadequate ventilation, heating, or lighting, can negatively affect prisoners' mental health. These conditions increase stress, anxiety, and the likelihood of disruptive behaviour, reducing engagement with rehabilitative activities.

Limited access to purposeful activities: Prison designs often fail to prioritise rehabilitative spaces such as classrooms, workshops, or counselling rooms. In some facilities, these spaces are repurposed to house additional inmates, further limiting opportunities for rehabilitation.

Q7. What examples of best practice within the prison service promote rehabilitation?

• HMP Durham: Operates Wise Group Finance, Benefit and Debt service, enabling improved financial literacy and engagement for 1000 unsentenced men per year.  
• HMP Holme House: Dedicated veterans’ wing.
• HMP Northumberland: Operates as a working prison.
• HMP Grendon: A therapeutic community prioritising psychological wellbeing.
• HMP Altcourse: Supports neurodiverse prisoners through innovative practices.

Section 3: Resettlement Services and Alternatives to Custody

Q1. To what extent does the Probation Service have the capacity to support effective resettlement pre and post-release?

The Probation Service faces challenges in delivering resettlement support, both pre and post release, due to cultural challenges, high caseloads and resource constraints.  These limitations can hinder the ability to provide tailored, individualised support for ex-offenders.

However, several programmes, delivered by and in partnership with third sector organisations, have demonstrated success in bridging these gaps, enabling Connection with and complementing probation services. The Wise Group has delivered several such services for example:

Engaging People on Probation: Enabling cultural change with Probation Officers through the Wise Group’s Relational Mentoring approach, embedding effective approaches to engaging with the most vulnerable through learning, development and service design.

Enhanced Through the Gate (ETTG): a holistic mentoring service, which was complimented by training and skills development, resettlement support, and specialist support. The original Through The Gate (TTG) evidenced improved access to housing, employment, community based and statutory services – all critical factors for preventing reoffending. Research shows that the ETTG delivered positive change in resettlement services by expanding the coverage of services and improving their accessibility. The great majority of staff interviewed from CRC, NPS and Prison Service, reported an increase in resources, better relationships among agencies within the prison and in the community and improved service delivery.

In an Inspection of Probation Services report, HMI Probation identified several key strengths of our Enhanced Through the Gate work in partnership with the then Durham and Tees Valley Community Rehabilitation Company (CRC, including:

• Service users are meaningfully involved in resettlement planning, taking account of strengths and protective factors.
• Resettlement plans and activities appropriately consider risk of harm factors.
• The delivery of necessary activities prioritises those that are most critical and takes account of diversity and personal circumstances.
• Peer mentors and volunteers add to the quality of Through the Gate services in Durham Tees Valley.

Despite these successes, the capacity of the Probation Service remains stretched. Further investment in staff training, technology to streamline workloads, and collaboration is needed to enhance its effectiveness in supporting resettlement.

CPO Connect: Is an example of a service which has supported over 2000 people with a Community Payback Orders improve their mental health and wellbeing and gain valuable employability skills in partnership with local authorities across Scotland.

Collectively customers have completed over 23,000 hours of unpaid work while improving their lives in the process.  91% of those engaged in Connect report that they are motivated to change their behaviour as a result of engaging in the service.  In response to the Pandemic, the Wise Group developed the CPO Connect service as an innovative online solution to tackle the significant backlog in unpaid work hours by focusing on the "other activity" component of a Community Payback Order (CPO). CPO Connect is designed to provide a cost-effective, scalable, and rehabilitative approach that benefits both participants and Justice Social Work teams.

CPO Connect is used by local authority justice teams and has recently been employed by one of the largest JCP areas in the UK as a critical and scalable solution to breaking down barriers to employment and engagement with the DWP.

It stands out as the most cost-effective form of "other activity," offering the following unique benefits:

• Unlimited referrals: Local authorities can refer an unlimited number of participants, removing typical capacity constraints.
• National accessibility: Delivered digitally, CPO Connect is available to participants across the UK, overcoming geographic barriers.
• Future-proofed design: The program’s built-in scalability ensures it can accommodate increased demand, making it a sustainable long-term solution.
• Cost efficiency: By making CPO Connect the default "other activity" program for individuals with internet access, local authorities can save resources and free up Justice Social Workers to focus on higher-risk cases.

CPO Connect has proven to be an invaluable tool during the pandemic, ensuring safe and socially distanced delivery while addressing the backlog in unpaid work hours. Its unique scalability and online format make it a transformative program that can continue to provide significant benefits post-pandemic.

By leveraging digital technology, CPO Connect offers a rehabilitative and educational experience that supports personal growth and reduces reoffending. this programme provides a convenient and impactful alternative to traditional unpaid work activities.

Q2. How does joint working between services happen so that ex-offenders receive the support they need post-release?

Joint working between services is critical for successful resettlement. Examples of effective collaboration include multi-agency partnerships, such as New Routes, which ensures continuity of care pre- and post-release. However, limited data-sharing protocols and fragmented service delivery often undermine these efforts (Fraser of Allander Report).

Is there sufficient data sharing between services?

Currently, data-sharing practices are inconsistent between and within government, private and third sector providers. Enhanced digital platforms and clearer inter-agency agreements are needed to improve outcomes.

We believe there is much more that can be done and refer to the examples above of data sharing and integration of Connect into Local Authority led Community Payback Orders for greater efficiency and effectiveness and the data sharing and integration of Connect into the DWP ‘Get Britain Working’ initiatives, connecting with those furthest from the labour market including offenders.

What role does trauma-informed practice play in the delivery of these services?

Trauma-informed practice ensures services are responsive to the psychological needs of offenders. Examples include mentoring schemes like New Routes (est. 80% of New Routes participants have experienced trauma) services support people with LE of trauma that account for past trauma and offer supportive environments to build trust and resilience (Working with Trauma in Adult Probation). 

Wise Group Mentors are trained to consider the impact of past traumas on the participant's perceptions and behaviours, understanding that past negative experiences with other services may result in distrust or scepticism.  They are also equipped to recognise signs and symptoms of trauma and to actively prevent re-traumatisation. This includes reducing the need for participants to recount their traumatic experiences multiple times. 

Q3. How effective is support provided to ex-offenders on release, such as homelessness prevention, employment opportunities, and health and wellbeing services?

Support services for ex-offenders on release are crucial for successful resettlement. However, they often face challenges due to limited resources and fragmented service delivery. Initiatives such as Enhanced Through the Gate (ETTG) and New Routes have demonstrated significant success in overcoming these barriers:

Homelessness prevention: ETTG provides tailored support to secure accommodation, significantly reducing the risk of reoffending for those who might otherwise be homeless upon release. For example, offenders with stable housing are far less likely to reoffend compared to those who are homeless or rough sleeping (TTG Phase 2 Report).

Lessons can be learned from other Wise Group services, such as Wise Community Mentoring which supports individuals at risk of eviction from social housing. Wise Group Mentors are trained to see and nurture the potential in each individual, guiding them through personalised support plans. The aim is to empower them to navigate the challenges that may threaten their tenancy and to encourage positive behavioural changes. By intervening early and providing tailored support, the Wise Group help individuals and families to not only stabilise their current situation but also build resilience for the future. In 2023-24, the Wise Group Mentored 109 individuals and their families at risk of eviction in one Local Authority area. As a result, none of the households supported were evicted.

This type of support should be included in post-liberation support for all people leaving prison.

Employment opportunities:

Our Mentoring services focus on skills development and employment readiness, which are critical for long-term resettlement success. Employment rates among ex-offenders supported by mentoring programmes are notably higher than national averages (Fraser of Allander Report). Using our data and insight we know that key Barriers to Employment are:

1. Skills mismatch and lack of training
1. Includes digital exclusion, limiting access to opportunities.
2. Health and disability challenges
1. Physical and mental health issues affecting workforce participation.
3. Childcare and caring responsibilities
1. Household stability impacted by limited access to affordable childcare and support for carers.
4. Economic inactivity and long-term unemployment
1. Older workers forced out post-pandemic.
2. Rising numbers of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
5. Geographic-specific challenges:
1. Transport and accessibility: Limited connectivity in rural or underserved areas.
2. Systemic discrimination and bias: Barriers faced by marginalised groups.
3. Low Wages and In-Work Poverty: Employment that does not provide a living wage or incentivise work.

This is reflected in our Relational Mentoring model which is a strengths based approach that considers 15 areas of need. It helps individuals furthest from the labour market get closer to and sustain meaningful work. We know that health is increasingly becoming a barrier to work so we are also assured to provide other ‘sector’ models like Individual Placement & Support (IPS), a partnership approach that ensures high-quality, inclusive support for those with long term health conditions, aligned with the Wise Group’s mission to "Transform Lives”. It is clear that whole family support is becoming more and more needed if individuals are to find sustainable change.

Health and Wellbeing: Trauma-informed approaches and mentoring schemes address the complex mental health and addiction challenges faced by ex-offenders. These services promote stability and improve engagement with rehabilitative pathways.

Do these services encompass the principles of individual desistence, and to what extent could it?  

Services like ETTG and New Routes encompass the principles of individual desistance by focusing on tailored, person-centred interventions:

• Individualised support: Both initiatives work to understand the unique needs and circumstances of each ex-offender, addressing underlying factors contributing to offending behaviour.
• Building social capital: Programmes foster prosocial relationships and community connections, which are critical for long-term desistance.
• Enhanced opportunities: Expanding such services could further integrate individual desistance principles by offering more personalised mentorship, trauma-informed care, and support for reintegration.

Evidence from New Routes suggests that the longer participants engage with a Mentor, the more successful their resettlement and reintegration.  When comparing individuals leaving the programme early against those who left with a scheduled exit (after 12 months):

• On average, 78% of individuals with a scheduled exit from the programme achieved short-term outcomes across both age cohorts, compared to a success rate of 69% for individuals with an early exit.
• For medium-term outcomes, 68% of individuals with a scheduled exit achieved outcomes compared to 51% of individuals with an early exit.

Q5. What impact do licence recall conditions have on promoting resettlement? 

Licence recall conditions often hinder resettlement efforts:

• Disruption to stability: Ex-offenders recalled for minor breaches lose the progress made in securing housing, employment, and community integration.
• Strained relationships: Frequent recalls damage trust between offenders and support services, making future engagement more challenging.

What role should non-custodial sentences have in promoting rehabilitation? 

Non-custodial sentences play a vital role in promoting rehabilitation by addressing the root causes of offending without the negative impacts of being in prison:

• Community-based interventions: Programmes such as probation supervision and restorative justice reduce reoffending by providing tailored support in the community.
• Cost-effectiveness: Non-custodial options are significantly less expensive than custodial sentences while delivering comparable or better outcomes (Peer Mentoring in Men’s Prisons).
• Flexibility: They allow offenders to maintain employment, housing, and family connections, all of which are critical for desistance.

Wise Group services such as Connect offer group-based learning opportunities for people with a community sentence. Delivered live and online, Connect includes evening and weekend sessions and offers a level of accessibility that suits all circumstances. Designed directly with individual with a CPO and alongside Justice professionals, it is a tried and tested model that supports people most at risk to achieve improved life-chances.  Over 2000 people have engaged in Connect and have completed over 23,000 hours of unpaid work as a result.  85% of service users report that they have implemented their learning into their everyday lives and have seen significant improvement in key need areas such as mental health, relationships and employability.

What impact would an increase in the use of non-custodial sentences have on resettlement services? 

An increase in non-custodial sentences could reduce pressure on the prison system, but it would also place greater demand on resettlement services:

• Capacity challenges: Probation services and community programmes would need additional resources to handle increased caseloads effectively.
• Positive outcomes: With sufficient investment, non-custodial sentences could improve resettlement outcomes by maintaining community ties and reducing the stigma of imprisonment.

What, if any, changes to community sentencing should be introduced if the Sentencing Review recommends a move away from short custodial sentences?

Key changes to community sentencing could include:

• Access to Relational Mentoring support in the community: expand access to person-centred mentoring to people with community-based sentences.  The Wise Group’s model of Relational Mentoring focuses on building a supportive and trust-based relationship between the mentor and the mentee, which is particularly beneficial for individuals serving community-based sentences. For example, in North Lanarkshire, the Wise Group worked closely with the local authority Justice Social Work Team to mentor individuals with a Community Payback Order. This approach included creating an individualised Action Plan based on a Needs Assessment, with managed referrals to community and statutory services.

Q6. What examples of best practice are there for effective resettlement? 

Several examples of best practice highlight effective approaches to resettlement:

• The Wise Group mentoring - holistic support and continuity between in-custody and community support teams as delivered in Enhanced Through The Gate. Mentor-led support, addresses barriers to reintegration such as lack of accommodation and social isolation and demonstrates the value of wraparound care, combining mental health, addiction, and practical support for sustained desistance. Wise Group mentors have been carrying out ‘gate pickup’ across multiple contracts for over 10 years. The purpose of this is to collect customers at the gate on day of release and support them with the activities they must carry out that day. This has been an effective support mechanism to ensure a smooth transition into the community as support within the first 24 hours of release is critical.

The Wise Group collaborate with partners who have specialist knowledge in a variety of subjects for example Trans awareness, mental health and family support. Our partnership with St Giles allows us to share best practices and knowledge at a national scale, giving greater insight into regional complexities. 

January 2025