The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly says a multi-million-pound investment in rehabilitation services will help to cut crime in the region.
Alison Hernandez welcomed the investment from the Ministry of Justice which will support vital services that help reduce reoffending, such as employment and housing advice.
Among services to benefit from a national investment of £200m is the Women’s Centre Cornwall which helps women and girls who have experienced sexual or domestic abuse.
Another organisation to receive funding is social business Catch 22, to help address personal issues ranging from support accessing mental health services to help with managing complex family relationships.
As well as this, more than £5m has been awarded to Seetec in the South West to provide skills training, employment support and accommodation to those who are leaving prison.
Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “Funding such as this is most welcome in Devon and Cornwall where it can truly help to cut the cycle of reoffending.
“By giving offenders valuable personal and work-based skills, these services can help them turn their lives around. It will also help them to help themselves, by giving them guidance about on accessing things like mental health services, of which there are many fantastic providers here in the South West.
“This significant round of funding shows how serious this Government is about cutting crime and I’m glad to see Devon and Cornwall getting its fair share.”
Prisons and Probation Minister Alex Chalk said: “Tackling things like homelessness, unemployment and illiteracy is vital to our drive to cut crime but these issues cannot be solved by our brilliant probation staff alone.
“The expertise and support of charities and companies like those we are funding today plays a crucial role in helping offenders to rehabilitate and lead a crime-free life.”
The funding has been awarded through a new process designed to make it easier for charities and other third-sector organisations to access funding from Government and around two-thirds of the funding has been awarded to registered charities.
In addition, many lead organisations are using the specialist skills of smaller organisations to help deliver services.
Breakdown of funding awarded to Devon, Cornwall and the South West:
Women’s Services
The Women’s Centre Cornwall - £1,765,668
Support services for issues including mental health, family and relationships
Catch 22 - £5,706,872
Accommodation
Seetec - £2,852,365
Education, Training and Employment
Seetec - £2,624,658
Full details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/200-million-investment-in-rehab-services-to-cut-crime