Becoming a Probation Officer > Hear from offenders							Cymraeg/Welsh

				Introduction About the training programme What a trainee does How to apply The work of a Probation Officer Hear from offenders Professional organisations and trade unions
Work with persistent offenders is a priority Although over half of people who are convicted of a crime do not, as far as we know, commit another crime, many do. Levels of convictions suggest that people are more likely to offend again the more crimes they have committed before. A large proportion of offences occur either in groups or by groups of people acting together. The police make over 1.3 million arrests a year and most people plead guilty. Of all people convicted of crime in Britain: - 11% receive a community sentence - 9% receive a discharge - 71% receive a fine - 8% are sentenced to custody Why do people continue to commit crimes? Research shows that the main causes are: - weak problem solving skills - poor decision making skills - weak personal control - poor social skills		Hear from offenders
		These personal stories have been produced by the offenders themselves. Everyone's story is different - about how people started, and stopped, offending. But these stories show how the work of probation staff, and staff from partner agencies, can support offenders to make positive changes and move away from crime. Peter, 40 'I was given a two year Community Rehabilitation Order with condition to attend a programme. At the start of the order I was drinking everyday up to 4 litres of strong cider, occasionally smoking cannabis. I was parted from my wife and children. 'Things were bad I was prevented from seeing my children and things wend down hill to when I offended. I was seen by my probation officer who put me in touch with a specialist alcohol agency. I was drinking for the first few sessions but have been dry for 64 days. Cannabis free since March. 'I attend appointments with the alcohol counsellor and probation officer. I am also making plans for my future, I have regular contact with my children and am learning new skills on a computer course. I am also meeting new people. The probation order make by the court has helped me focus and opened doors for me.'
		next page: Professional organisations and trade unions		page top