The impact of the Community Living Unit

Recently at the Community Living Unit at HMP High Down, staff were able to host the first Family Day event for the group – a massive occasion for all involved.

For many, it was the first time participants had seen their families in a long while, and for others, it was the first ever opportunity they have had to dine with their families in a restaurant setting.

The impact of this day cannot be overstated, with a palpable sense of excitement and happiness felt throughout the wing. Asked about what he liked most about the Family Day, Kyle* said: “Whole thing. I left feeling slightly emotional and felt a sense of normality for the first time in years. It was lovely, I felt as though my good behaviour had finally paid off.”

Another CLU participant, Mike*, followed up, saying: “I was ecstatic! The restaurant setting made me feel like I wasn’t in prison.”

The Family Day is testament to the hard work that has been put in by both participants and staff, showcasing the huge benefits of this pilot programme.

We were thrilled to be able to speak to staff on the wing about their experience so far and understand the key advantages and highlights for those on the Community Living Unit.

What is the biggest benefit you have seen for participants at the CLU so far?

“The biggest benefit I have seen on the CLU so far is the tailored support we are able to provide for participants on the unit on a daily basis. The cohort of indeterminant sentenced prisoners can often feel like a forgotten part of the prison system as many agencies cannot work with them as they do not have a fixed sentence end date, therefore they feel that there is nothing on offer for them in the prison system.

Therefore, presence of staff on the CLU daily helps the men feel that their needs are being met and that, for the first time, they have a designated team who have been trained to understand their sentence and support them. This enables them to reach out for support and communicate effectively as they know where to access support and are aware that support is there for them.

This can take form in even the smallest of ways, for example contacting their POM or helping them access their property, but these small tasks make the biggest difference to lifers. In the last few months, it has been evident how this presence on the unit has impacted the prisoners, not just by CLU staff but also other agencies in the prison and this has also been noted by parole board.

Being able to see this change in participants, who have gone from not wanting to engage and self-isolating, to having their first job in custody and asking to be a CLU peer mentor have evidenced how the daily work we are doing with individuals is having a positive effect on their lives and hopefully their future.” – Emma Hart, Shaw Trust Senior Case Manager.

The culture of the Community Living Unit is one of the key aspects to its success. It is important that participants, who can sometimes feel forgotten otherwise, feel their voices are heard and that they matter. Focus groups and suggestions boxes have been key in this feeling of inclusion.

How important are focus groups/suggestions from participants in shaping delivery at the CLU?

“Focus groups have allowed participants a voice and an opportunity to shape and influence our offer on the CLU.?It has allowed us to ensure that what we offer is in line with what participants and prepared to engage with as well as ensuring it matches what we know about the needs of this cohort.?

Early focus groups were really useful as they allowed us to get a sense of whether a lifer unit would be viable and whether prisoners would be willing to move on to the unit.?As the community has progressed, we have invited other departments to hold focus groups to tailor their own offers for the CLU.?With the Mental Health In-Reach team, their focus group has led to the introduction of Animal Assisted Therapy for our IPPs.?The Substance Misuse team also held a focus group with the CLU participants and are working on a tailored offer.?

Interestingly, all of the suggestions made by prisoners on the focus groups have been sensible, realistic and achievable suggestions.?That has meant that we have been able to put into action many of the suggestions made, demonstrating that their voices are being heard and their opinions and views count.?This supports the community environment we are building.” – Georgina Harding, Project Lead

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Having the same officers present on the wing on a regular basis is one of the lesser-known benefits to the CLU.

For example, there are four evening associations per week on the wing, this includes popular interventions such as bingo, quizzes and other group sessions. On other wings there would typically only be two evenings per week, with more being possible on the CLU due to the dedicated members of staff. Likewise, Family Day was only able to be done due to staff being consistent and ring-fenced to the CLU only, they are not part of the wider prison rota.

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Can you give a quick run down of the key benefits of consistent staffing on the CLU?

“Getting the staffing correct was identified as one of the key priorities for the participants.?

Consistent staffing on the CLU has enabled us to ensure that matters are dealt with effectively, behaviour changes are identified at the earliest opportunity (avoiding escalation) and staff/prisoner relationships can be a key focus.?

Consistent staffing also allows for upskilling/training of staff which ensures that the needs of the participants are properly understood.”?– Georgina Harding, Project Lead.

All of these on-wing benefits have genuine impact and value for those on the CLU. Impact which hasn’t just been felt by the participants and staff there every day however, as benefits have been noticed by probation officers and parole staff.

What are the main benefits of the CLU on parole hearings?

“I have found that the parole board and the COMs have been impressed by the idea of the CLU and what it has to offer, particularly regarding social integration and regular staff contact as they are able to have a better picture of the prisoner based on feedback/information from CLU staff that regularly engage with them.

In particular the feedback from the lifers programme has helped demonstrate different skills that prisoners may have been able to develop and revisit especially if there has not been much else available for them to do. I had a parole hearing recently where the forensic psychologist likened the idea of the CLU to that of a PIPE with the support and access to resources that it offers.

I think it has been good for my cases also in terms of them having more staff contact. Having staff that understand them has been the most positive feedback received and being able to engage in constructive activities. I have seen some with more positive attitudes and a growth in their knowledge regarding matters that impact them as well as a more positive outlook on future goals and their ability to attain this.

It has allowed myself and others to gain a better picture of the individual aside from what we read!” – Shanell Parker, Probation Officer POM

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CFO continue to offer innovative pilot programme such as the CLU at selected prisons across the country. For more information about these pilots, and other activities across all CFO provisions, please click here: https://bit.ly/3ImrtIg

Should you have any queries about CFO projects, please get in touch with our team via: [email protected].

*names changed to protect identity