Custody Initiatives Aim to Redirect Offenders from Crime

Two police forces report a substantial rise in referrals to support services, designed to steer offenders away from criminal behavior, following the implementation of wall drawings with messages and in-cell screens across six police investigation centres (PICs). Chief Inspector Rob Wicks, who leads custody for Suffolk and Norfolk police, stated that previously, they had been “judgemental” of suspects. He further noted a “cultural shift,” expressing that they were “quite proud of what they did now and the opportunities people who come to custody might have and that’s preventing them from returning to custody in future”. This approach to influencing behavior is referred to as “nudge theory,” and a £1m grant from the Home Office funded upgrades to the six custody centres. The in-cell screen technology has enabled researchers at the University of Sheffield to create animated films. These films are intended to educate detainees about their rights, well-being, and the services accessible to them through the diversion and liaison team. Additionally, the Home Office grants financed the transformation of an interview room in each PIC into a comfortable and secure area, where these teams can engage with detainees to provide support in a more informal setting. The team provides guidance on issues such as gambling, wellbeing, employment benefits, housing, and drug user recovery services. Turning Point delivers the drug recovery service for Suffolk Police. Dr Granville Sutton from the charity mentioned hearing from other drug workers across the country about custody settings where “a great deal happening” was not the case. He stated, “we are really blessed in Suffolk,” and described the custody facilities as “really amazing… screens and signage work.” He clarified that individuals in custody are frequently stressed and may not fully process information. The messages displayed in cells and on screens offer detainees material to read or view, which “gets them thinking,” according to Sutton. Upon entering the comfortable interview room, detainees observe that “we are dealing with them in a very different way.” He concluded, “We’re just here to help them improve their health and hopefully never turn up in custody again.” Robin Pivett, who served as a police officer for over three decades, transitioned to a civilian drugs liaison officer role, overseeing the joint Drug Testing on Demand service for the Norfolk and Suffolk police forces. He has played a crucial role in implementing these custody changes, particularly benefiting drug users. Pivett does not consider this method to be “soft on criminals.” He explained, “What they are trying to do is identify those who have a serious problem, address their addiction and in the long term keep them healthy, alive and obviously not committing further crime.” Chief Inspector Rob Wicks concurred, stating: “We deal with the crime separately [but] we are always after giving the best possible service to victims.” He added that “Reducing the number of people reoffending will reduce the number of victims and therefore the impact of crime.” The Home Office reports that over 700,000 individuals pass through custody centres annually. The assessment of the animated films is currently underway, with a conclusive report anticipated next spring. This evaluation will focus solely on whether detainees utilize the available diversion and liaison services, rather than measuring reductions in reoffending rates. Dr Sutton commented that the overall effect on reoffending rates is extremely difficult to quantify, but their research did indicate that “when drug users are in treatment they become healthier and commit less crime.”