Scafell Project

In 2004, the Prime Minister announced the Prolific and other Priority Offending (PPO) Strategy in response to research demonstrating that a small number of offenders have a disproportionate impact upon the crime rate and fear of crime in local communities.  Cumbria Probation Service and Cumbria Constabulary reviewed their approach to dealing with PPO offenders in their area and developed a model for managing them and reducing their impact on communities, known as the Scafell Project, which commenced in April 2007.  

Scafell is a unique and innovative approach to dealing with offenders in that it focuses upon intensive supervision and support whilst administrating swift enforcement for re-offending or failing to engage. Offenders are managed within a framework that ensures high intensity intervention to address criminogenic factors, dependent on the offender’s risk of re-offending and causing harm.  The multi-agency team includes Probation, Police and outreach workers in partnership with drug agencies and other organisations, all working together to reduce offending.

Offenders offend in different ways and for different reasons; therefore the design and delivery of the sentence plan is tailored to target and challenge the offender when he or she is most likely to offend, thus affording the greatest protection from offending to the community.  The daily targeting, monitoring and intervention with PPO offenders is embedded within clear and defined boundaries which meet the need of the offender and the local community.

In the first year of the project re-offending by PPO offenders in Cumbria was reduced by 86% and more significantly a cost of crime evaluation showed it had saved the communities of Cumbria £7.6 million. These impressive achievements have been maintained and enhanced this year through a consistent approach focusing on continuous improvement.  This success can be attributed to the effectiveness of the multi-agency model as well as the dedication of the Scafell Team, consisting of Probation Officers, Police Officers and Assertive Outreach Workers, managed by a Senior Probation Officer, Chris Davidson. One of the distinct aspects of the partnership is the breaking down of the normal cultural barriers between different agencies by fostering an inclusive approach that encourages respect and trust, particularly in relation to the sharing of sensitive information.

The Scafell methodology is now being evaluated by the University of Cumbria to examine the transferable skills and techniques that will assist in dealing with other offenders such as those whose lifestyles lead them in and out of prison.

The Scafell Project has been identified as a model of good practice and recognised by The Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, the National Offender Management Service and Government Office North West. The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, stated that the Scafell Project was one of the best in the country for dealing with PPO offenders.

However, regardless of such success, the Scafell Team has to constantly search for funding to ensure the continuity of the Project in its current form.  The Police and Probation need the support of Government to continue, and expand on, such innovative work and ensure that communities are safe from crime and the fear of crime.

If you are a PPO or are part of a PPOs family you can find out more about the Scafell project and the PPO processes that they operate by clicking on the icons below.

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