Topics to be Covered

1. THE DEPARTMENT OF COURT SERVICESBEST PRACTICES IN OFENDER MANAGEMENT(June 9 2009, Prepared by SPO King)

2. Topics to be Covered • Demographics • History of Department • Offender Characteristics • Crime - Evolution • Offender Management • Offender Treatment • New Initiatives

3. Demographics Isolated Closest country U.S.A. North Carolina 660 nautical miles to the east Land Mass 22 ½ square miles PopulationBlackWhiteOther 70,000 residents 63% 33% 4% Economy The highest GDP in the world (the island has no natural resources) Revenue – Tourism, International Business and Duty (tax on imports) Employment Options Hotels & Service Industries, Business (International) and Local, Construction and landscaping

4. Department of Statistics study of “Households in Need”(March 2008) • 3,100 households (11% of all households) fell below income threshold ($41,132) in 2007 • Housing costs responsible for 60% of household’s budget • Low income was highest for single parent households 14% • Single parent homes with one child (15.6% or 414 families) and two-parents With two children (15.9% or 183 families), were the household types most likely to fall below the Relative Low Income Threshold. Highest Incidence of Poverty occurred for the following three household types: • 183 households or 15.9% for two parents, two children families • 414 households or 15.6% for single parent families with one child • 1,115 households or 14% for single adult households, 88% of which are seniors.

5. Low Income Threshold Components

6. History of Department Probation Services was established in 1952 on a recommendation from Governor Major Barring to assist the Courts in sentencing of offenders and to provide an alternative to incarceration From 1952 to 2001 Probation Sevices was responsible for the following : • Supervising persons on Probation, parole and community Service Orders • Social Inquiry Reports and Parole Reports Prior to 2001 the recidivism rate for the former H.M. Prisons was 85% and the prison was at capacity. On October 2001 the Alternatives to Incarceration Legislation (ATI) was enacted to address the criminogenic needs of the offender. The Philosophy had evolved from retribution to rehabilitation. The goal was now to examine the cause of crime and to provide The requisite treatment and services to offenders to assist them in reducing their risk of reoffending. In 2001, Probation Services was renamed the Department of Court Services to reflect it’s expanded role as the hub of the ATI. The number of staff had risen from 6 to 36 professionally trained and specialized officers dispersed amongst 6 Teams: • Probation • Parole • Community Service • Report Writing (including the Bermuda Assessment and Referral Centre BARC) • Programs • Drug Treatment Court

7. Offender Characteristics • Black 90% • Male • High School dropout • High Crime Neighbourhood • Sporadic Work History • Victim of abuse or neglect • Substance user or abuser • Unsatisfactory accommodations • Single parent household

8. Crime Evolution 1990s to Present • The number of young persons who are criminally involved has increased. • Increase in substance abuse by young persons • Increase in violence amongst young persons • Increase in murder rate • Emergence of gangs male and female Offences committed by gangs: • Wounding and Attempted Murder • Robberies • Assaults • Deprivation of Liberty • Drug distribution • Firearms offences

9. Offender Management Number of Clients Currently under Supervision: Probation Clients 319 Parole Clients 177 Community Service Orders 20 Drug Treatment Court 15 Total:531 Officer Caseload 44 (number of clients per officer)

10. Offender Treatment All programs operating are in accordance with Best practice standards and principles (motivational, cognitive behavioural and clinical oversight) Programs currently operated include the following: • Life Skills • Making Men Group • Women’s Integration Program • CALM – Anger and Emotional Management • CALMER – CALM maintenance • CHOICES – Drug Treatment and Education • Serious Sexual Offender Group • Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Group All of the Department’s groups are open and for adults with the exception of the ‘Making Men’ group., Current capacity80 clients per week Note: The Violent Offenders Program is currently being developed and it is anticipated that program delivery will begin in the fall of 2009.

11. Offender Assessment All clients who are referred by the Court, Parole Board for; Social Inquiry Reports, Parole Reports and BARC (specialized in substance abuse and mental health) reports are comprehensively assessed to determine treatment and risk/needs issues utilizing actuarial instruments specifically designed for this purpose. Clients who are released on community supervision are further assessed to ensure proper client and program matching. Assessment tools currently utilized include the following: Substance Abuse: PRD, DAST Risk/Needs: LSI-R, LSI-R (youth version) HCR-20 Sex Offender: Static – 99, Sassi Anger: ADS Note: the programs also have specific protocols for entry

12. New Initiatives Officer Safety Training In an effort to ensure that officers were able to safely and effectively deal with the challenges posed by our increasing violent client population they needed to be specifically trained. In January 2008 selected officers were sent overseas to Oklahoma City (US) to receive comprehensive training in the assessment of risk when dealing with a potentially violent situation or client, de-escalation of crisis, wellness and self-defense. The officers then became certified and formed the Bermuda Officer Safety Training Team (BOSTT) and began the process of training all of the officers in our Department and other Government agencies. Gang Task Force In June 2009 a formal task force will be resourced to address the escalating problem of youth violence and gangs, It will involve collaboration and cooperation from the various social agencies, involvement of the Police, Corrections and civic organizations. Partnerships – Bermuda Housing Corporation Understanding that many of our clients are receiving Govt assistance in the form of housing and financial subsidies. We have recently begun working in earnest to provide services to this at risk group. The Department will also be seeking to establish similar relationships with other organizations and Deptartments. Ongoing Training and Development The Department is committed to the ongoing training and development of its officers to ensure that the needs of our clients and the community are best served.

13. Department of Court Services “Victoria Place” 61/63 Victoria St Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda Office: (441) 292-5005 Fax: (441) 295-4368 Robert King, Senior Probation Officer - Programs (441) 294-3054 (441) 534-3054 e-mail lrking@gov.bm Arthur Douglas, Manager – assessment and Treatment (441) 294-3075 (441) 534-3075