The Programmes Unit at Northamptonshire Probation Trust provide a suite of Accredited Programmes to Offenders who meet specified criteria. These Programmes address criminogenic factors and endeavour to reduce the risk of re-offending.

Programmes provided are:  

Thinking Skills Programme (TSP)

TSP targets male and female offenders who are medium risk of re-offending. TSP is suitable for offenders who have committed domestic, sexual or instrumental violence, subject to appropriate consideration of group membership.

What does the programme cover?

The main principles of the new Thinking Skills Programme are to reduce risk by engaging, motivating and coaching the offender whilst responding to individual needs and building continuity. Thinking Skills programme is a modular programme and there are 3 modules.

Self Control – In order to be effective in decision making and problem solving, it is important to know when and how to stop, slow down and think things through. Self control also involves developing skills in managing emotions.

Problem Solving – The module introduces and develops skills for effectively resolving interpersonal problems. The module emphasises how these skills can also help to avoid problems, make the most of opportunities, increase choice and follow through on ideas.

Positive Relationships – In order to stick to pro social goals, ex-offenders need to overcome many obstacles. Other people can be an important source of support in overcoming these obstacles. They can also act as barriers to change. This module develops skills that help participants to access support and deal with unhelpful social influences.

Cognitive Skills Booster Programme (CSB)

The Cognitive Skills Booster Programme is targeted towards male and female offenders who have already successfully completed ETS, Reasoning and Rehabilitation, or Thinking Skills. Offenders on this programme still have some thinking deficits, as identified by their assessment. The programme strengthens and amalgamates the learning from the previous programme by revising specific concepts through structured exercises. A core component running through this programme is called the ‘challenge exercise.’ This is a role play exercise which aims to tackle real life issues. This programme covers interpersonal problem solving, cognitive style, self control, social perspective taking, moral reasoning and critical reasoning. This programme includes up to 12 sessions of two hours and is run over four to ten weeks.

Drink Impaired Drivers Programme (DRIMPS)

The Drink Impaired Drivers programme is targeted at both male and female offenders who have committed a drink driving related offence and have no more than four previous convictions. The programme consists of behavioural and educational approaches. The programme aims to improve the individual’s problem solving skills and increase their knowledge about alcohol and driving safely.

The programme focuses on an individual's specific offences which challenge an offender's rationalisation for their offence. The programme specifically addresses the effects of alcohol, safe driving, attitudes to drinking and driving, how to think of alternatives, how to think of consequences, how to recognise mood and the way that affects decisions, patterns of offending and how to plan ahead.

The programme also uses several other methods such as training in self monitoring, self-instructural training, problem solving and role plays. The programme consists of 14 group sessions of two and a half hours and is run over 14 weeks.

Controlling Anger and Learning to manage it (CALM)

The CALM (Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage it) programme is a nationally accredited programme provided by Northamptonshire Probation Trust as part of the National Probation Service’s ‘What Works’ initiative. The initiative aims to reduce reconviction rates by adopting approaches for which there is evidence of effectiveness in changing the way offenders think and behave.

Based on the Cognitive Behavioural approach to understanding and controlling emotions and aggression, the programme aims to reduce anger, violence, and emotional loss of control.

Using motivational interviewing techniques it aims to get offenders to:

Clarify the difference between anger and aggression. Although the ultimate goal of the CALM programme is to teach the control of aggressive behaviour, learning to control anger is considered the most effective means to this end.

The programme enables participants to monitor and reduce their levels of arousal. High levels of arousal are another key factor in the development of anger and aggression, so it is important to learn to manage physiological arousal levels.

Develop problem solving skills. Thoughts are a key factor in the development of anger and aggression.

Develop skills in both assertiveness and communication which give offenders the ability to deal with others effectively. CALM consists of 24 sessions of two and a half hours, spread over 8 to 24 weeks.

Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme (IDAP)

The IDAP Home Office Accredited Programme for the reduction of domestic abuse was launched in Northamptonshire in June 2005. The programme is run by the Northamptonshire Probation Trust and its partners, the Sunflower Centre, who provide the Women's Safety Worker.

IDAP is a cognitive behavioural programme which tackles offender’s attitudes and beliefs in order to change their offending behaviour. It specifically targets heterosexual males who have been convicted of a domestic violence related offence with a medium to high risk of harm. The programme teaches non controlling behaviour strategies and victim empathy. During the programme, the following themes are explored: non violence; non threatening behaviour; respect; support and trust; accountability and honesty; sexual respect; partnership; responsible parenting, negotiation and fairness.

The programme also incorporates inter-agency risk assessment, victim work, and core group work. The programme consists of 27 two and a half hour sessions which are delivered on a weekly basis and includes 13 individual sessions.

Community Sex Offender Programme (CSOGP)

The C-SOGP Programme targets adult male sex offenders who have a normal IQ range and who have committed any sexual offence. The programme includes a fifty hour induction module. Low risk offenders go directly to the 50 hour relapse prevention programme and high risk offenders undertake the full programme consisting of six modules (250 hours).

Internet Sexual Offenders Downloading Treatment Programme (ISOTP)

The ISOPR Programme targets male offenders aged 21 and over who have been convicted of offences such as downloading, possession, making or distributing indecent images of children.