Convicted drugs criminals in Telford are being offered free mountain biking, rock climbing and archery to help them back into society.According to the people behind it, the new scheme encourages offenders serving community orders or those released from prison on licence to be healthy and make a difference in the community.
The scheme is being jointly run by West Mercia Probation and Telford & Wrekin Council’s sports development unit for offenders with a history of drug misuse.
Offenders volunteer to take part in the sessions, based in and around Telford, on top of the sentences dished out by the courts.
The activities are funded by the Care Services Implementation Partnership and participants aim to improve their fitness and health or work towards a first aid certificate.
Many see the sessions as their first step in fitting in with the community.
Jonathon Rowe, the council’s head of leisure, culture and library services, said: “These sorts of activities are available to all members of the public but often offenders won’t participate because of their lack of motivation or lack of confidence to be involved in community activities.
“Taking part can not only improve their physical health but can also help them build their self confidence and improve their problem-solving skills.”
18 Comments
HHmmm ok, How about the ‘good kids’ who do everything right in society, tow the line and cannot access these things, because of money problems?? when can they get a break!!
Youth Clubs dont get anywhere enough money to fund any trips at all!! is this where all the cash is going??!!
???
It’s wonderful that this scheme has been developed to encourage those who’ve had problems. I’d like to know what schemes are available for those who have never taken banned substances in their lives who might have low self-confidence or need help with problem-solving skills.
It cost nearly £100 for a course on of these activities for my well-behaved children and I.
Fantastic.
See if I’m right on this.
Thieving little scroute gets free activities. Honest kids get bugg*r all. Bloody do good pc tree huggers.
I’m glad I pay my taxes to help.
Let me see if I have this right .. the drugged-up driver who damages my property, who never pays his fine or compensation let alone any car insurance, gets to have a nice time playing archery or whatever while I have to use my hard earned cash repairing all the damage he did? And I’m expected to watch my taxes pay for his entertainment? What a joke!
I sometimes find myself lost for words. What next, send them abroad on holidays.
Well said, you two! it’s about time the majority of honest, law abiding, hardworking people got a break. Young people in rural communities on low Shropshire salaries can never afford days out rock climbing yet their taxes fund criminals.
Good to know our taxes are paying for such worthy schemes,eh!
Rock climbing? .. They should be rock breaking instead.
Nelson: quote of the day, my friend!
Let them clear up the litter.
Plenty of fresh air and exercise.
Oh dear no! Nothing to help the community at all.
Well it looks like The scheme is being jointly run by West Mercia Probation and Telford & Wrekin Council’s sports development unit, has got it right again! NOT NOT NOT
FFS wake up and smell the coffee!!!
I dream that one day the police will go on national strike against all this load of old cobblers - all their hard work in catching the criminal and the justice system literally rewards them !!!
It beggars belief !!!
Maybe if the probation service would help those released from jail get a job and help them become usefull members of society instead of dreaming up play schemes, they might just earn the respect of the tax paying public.
I have a son who has been in prison for drugs related offences. He has finally seen common sence and wants get a job and put the past behind him. However do you think the probations service has given him any help in that direction?
No prizes for guessing the answer to that.
And if, as a result of this excellent initiative, these young people turn their lives around and become honest, law-abiding and hardworking, will you still be whining about it?
Remember a few years ago when the Government made an order to the Probation Service that they were to change their culture, philosophy and mind-set from a soft, woolly, “do-gooder” approach to that of a more harder, enforcement style. They can never shake off their old “social worker” approach, they have the wrong type doing the job. The “Care” Services Implementation Partnership, whatever that is, says it all.
This is what the do-gooders in this country have been saying for the last 30 years Allie, and look at the state of the nation now - law and order out of control !!!!
In reply to Brian’s comment….I totally agree. My fiancee, 12 months after being released for drugs related crimes, still has no work & this is all down to his probation officer MAKING him visit her once a week for a 10 min chat! Why???? She is unwilling to let him have appointments after work time & she is making it very difficult for him. I think the scheme is a good idea but i do believe help getting them into work would be a much better idea
Absolutely ridiculous. I brought my three children up alone. One was a nightmare (he’s lovely now), I cold not afford to give my kids any of these activities due to lack of money so whey should idiots whose parents do not care be given them free of charge. I had problems with one of my children but dealt with them myself, social services did not want to know unless he committed serious crime. I do know though that giving him what these kids are getting, would have meant that he had something the well behaved two did not get - where’s the sense in that? Grrrrr Bloody do gooders - when will they see this does not work?