Spotlight on South Devon offenders programme

A project in Devon has been held up as a shining example of ways in which offenders can be rehabilitated and resettled.

The LandWorks project, based at Dartington, has won awards for its work to support people back into employment and reduce re-offending.  
It works with people who are in prison, or who are at risk of going to prison.
Judges at the Criminal Justice Alliance Awards said “LandWorks goes above and beyond. It is a way of life and the opportunity to reset and prepare for the world beyond the gate.”
It was hailed in the House of Commons during a debate on the government’s proposal to cut the number of trials heard before a jury.
South Devon MP Caroline Voaden said she understood the need for courts to hear cases quickly, but said she was concerned at the prospect of having fewer jury trials.
She called for more ‘serious investment’ in rehabilitation and resettlement work, and said: “The LandWorks project in my constituency has a reoffending rate of five per cent. If we could roll out that type of work, we would reduce crime, which would relieve backlogs in the courts, and everyone could have their day in court more quickly.”
Justice minister Sarah Sackman said LandWorks’ ‘holistic’ support was exactly the kind of service the government was considering, combined with a package of investment and structural reforms.
And, she added: “I know that my colleague the Prisons Minister is taking on board precisely that sort of package of rehabilitation models so that we can break this endless cycle of reoffending.”