JUSTICE Minister Shailesh Vara MP visited Thorn Cross prison in Warrington to see first hand the work of a special prisoner rehabilitation programme aimed at breaking the cycle of re-offending.
The Sycamore Project, led by Prison Chaplain, Shawn Verhey, is a restorative justice programme which helps offenders understand the effect that their actions have had on their victim, the victims friends & family and the wider community.
Mr Vara had been invited to visit the project by local Warrington South MP David Mowat.
Mr Mowat said: “I was delighted to be able to welcome Shailesh to Warrington to show him how we are working to reduce reoffending rates in our prisons.
“Prison is there to punish offenders, but unless we also have robust programmes to reintegrate offenders back into society, the likelihood is they will offend again, end up in prison again and cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds again.”
Shailesh Vara added: “I was very impressed with my visit to the Sycamore Project and to see the excellent work they are doing to reduce reoffending.
This Government has set an ambitious goal of breaking the cycle of reoffending, which will not only drive down crime rates, but will save the taxpayer
millions.”
Justice Minister visits Thorn Cross Prison
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
