Ending the revolving door of repeat offending

Persistent offenders will be targeted to tackle the root causes of their behaviour in a bid to reduce crime under a new pilot scheme being launched in Cambridge.  

It will mean offenders within the initiative who are given community sentences will appear before a judge regularly to track their behaviour and their engagement with tailored support services.   

The scheme for Intensive Supervision Courts (ISCs) is a way of giving people who receive a community-based sentence a means of robust management between the Probation Service and the courts.  

They combine intensive supervision from the Probation Service with wraparound support from a range of local providers including drug and alcohol addiction services, overseen by a dedicated ISC judge through regular review hearings. 

Welcoming the news from government, Police and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston said: “As Chair of the Cambridgeshire Criminal Justice Board I am pleased that Cambridge Crown Court has been selected to be one of the government’s next pilots for ISCs.  

“Working with partners we put forward an application to host a substance misuse ISC and I am pleased the strength of that evidence has been recognised.  

“By focusing on the root causes of offending, we are providing a more constructive alternative to punishment alone. The pilot programme represents a progressive step forward to reduce offending – one which is evidence-based and I hope will lead to lasting and positive change. 

“My Police and Crime Plan is clear about the need for early intervention and prevention, and I have long said that prevention is better than cure. I recognise the best way to support our communities is to prevent crime from happening in the first place.” 

The Cambridgeshire Criminal Justice Board brings together senior representatives from local criminal justice including the police, the courts, health, prison and probation and youth justice services. It aims to reduce reoffending whilst improving outcomes for victims and witnesses and ensuring an efficient local justice system.  

Based on international evidence, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) launched the original pilot of ISCs in June 2023. Initial results indicate the positive impact of the approach on compliance.  

People on the scheme have responded positively to the structure provided by the intensive requirements and the judge-led approach, including reductions or cessation of substance use. 

The pilot scheme was successfully rolled out across four areas: Bristol, Liverpool, Teeside and Birmingham, and relies on a partnership approach to deliver support to vulnerable people who consistently re-offend. The Cambridge pilot is anticipated to go live at Cambridge Crown Court from Spring next year (2027).