Community Support Project
The severe harm caused by detention is well-documented. Detention is also unnecessary.
It is cheaper, more humane and more effective to uphold the liberty of migrants while their cases are progressing and to provide them with casework support in the community.
We need to see an expansion of alternatives to detention.
Abdal, Community Support Project participant
Since 2014, Detention Action has been running the Community Support Project (CSP), an alternative to detention pilot scheme that works with males who have experienced or are at risk of long-term detention. The participants in the project all have significant barriers to removal and begin working with the CSP up to three months before their release from prison.
A member of the CSP team addresses the particular needs and issues raised by each participant and works with them to create a transition plan setting out the goals and actions that need to take place. Ongoing assistance is provided by the project which takes into account the varied emotional and practical needs of each participant, including support in consequential thinking techniques and advocacy with statutory and non-statutory bodies on their behalf.
The CSP has shown that, when case management principles are followed, alternatives can work for even the most complex situations: people with previous convictions and barriers to removal.
- 93% of CSP participants have not re-offended since joining the project. This figure compares to the fact that around half of all people leaving prison reoffend within 12 months.
- 83% of CSP participants have successfully completed their time on the project.
“Feedback from the client on how effectively we are working with them is vital. This is built in to the structure of the support we give and the plan of action they write for themselves upon release.”
– Tony, Community Support Project Manager
“Really, it’s simple: when someone invests in you as human, you respect them. You respect what they say.”
– Jalloh, Community Support Project Participant