Prisons’ Minister Paul Goggins today announced strategic changes to the scheme aimed at motivating prisoners to address their offending behaviour.

The revised Progressive Regimes and Earned Privileges Scheme (PREPS) will form an integral part of the new Offender Management system and tougher sentencing introduced by the Criminal Justice (NI) Order 2008.

The Minister said: “The changes made to PREPS will play a central role in the implementation of the new public protection sentences, which have replaced automatic 50 percent remission.

“Under the new system those prisoners who have committed the most serious offences will have to demonstrate clearly that they have worked to address their offending behaviour and have reduced their risk levels before they can be considered for release. The PREPS system will feed into the information process.”

“All prisoners will have a sentence plan with a clear focus on resettlement and preparation for life after release.”

The purpose of PREPS, which was introduced in 2001, is to increase participation in constructive activities, encourage good behaviour and prepare prisoners for release. It operates at three regime levels; Basic, Standard and Enhanced.

In the past it operated independently of sentencing but the revised scheme will play a part in determining when an offender serving a public protection sentence should be released into the community.

Under the new public protection sentences, prisoners will sign up to a sentence plan, which will outline the steps required to prepare them for release. They will be assigned a sentence manager (prison officer) and a case manager (probation officer) who will work together to review and monitor their progress.

The Director of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Robin Masefield said:

“Offenders’ behaviour will be closely monitored by prison officers in residential areas throughout the PREPS process. Residential officers are well placed to observe whether inmates are adhering to the terms of their sentence plans and positively engaging in activity and programmes.

“It is important for prisoners to take responsibility for addressing their offending behaviour and for making the best use of their time spent in custody. PREPS will provide an opportunity for offenders to demonstrate that they are working genuinely to reduce their level of risk.”




Notes to Editors

The revised PREPS scheme contains a number of strategic changes which include:
• The introduction of Compacts for offenders. The Compact is a residential plan which sets out clearly the basic rules and expectations for offenders (remand and sentenced) as well as the privileges and incentives on offer at establishments.
• Renewed emphasis on the role of Residential Officers. Residential Officers are tasked specifically with the day to day supervision and oversight of offenders in residential areas. They are best placed to determine if someone is engaging with their sentence plan and whether they are putting into practice the skills and practices being taught to them in offending behaviour programmes.
• PREPS Coordinators at Principal Officer grade are now operational in each establishment with responsibility for organising case conferences, monitoring standards, monitoring decisions on promotion and demotion; and for ensuring that offenders can access the privileges and incentives agreed to by establishments.
• The PREPS Performance Report (PPR). This revised prisoner report focuses on both performance and behaviour and is completed by the offender’s Residential Officer. In the case of public protection offenders PPR summary reports will be taken into account in Parole Commissioner Dossiers.
• The introduction of Action Plans to manage those demoted to Basic regime back to Standard regime. A small number of offenders will be on Basic regime at any time compared with the total population. Once on Basic regime some offenders find it difficult to demonstrate and maintain the level of stability in performance and behaviour required to be re-promoted to Standard regime.

The changes to the PREPS Corporate Framework will be introduced on a phased basis from now until September, 2009. The document can be viewed on the Prison Service website at www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/publications/policy documents

Related Publication - PREPS Corporate Framework.PDF

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