Context:

Ensuring that ex-offenders have sufficient legally obtained income to live on is a key factor in their successful rehabilitation, but many encounter significant problems achieving financial security. More than 50% of short-sentenced prisoners reported that having enough money was a key factor in stopping re-offending'Finance, Benefits and Debt' have been identified by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) as a key pathway for reducing re- offending. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) and NOMS have, for example, provided support for the development of interventions focussed on improving the financial capability of offenders. However, the evidence-base is relatively undeveloped.

The study:

This review seeks to highlight case studies of 'best practice' in the provision of both pre-release (prison-based) and post-release (community-based) offender financial capability support.

Researchers consulted a wide range of policy makers and practitioners, including NOMS; the FSA; the Learning and Skills Council; the Legal Services Commission; the Department for Work & Pensions and Jobcentre Plus. Key providers included: the National Association of Reformed Offenders (UNLOCK); the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO); Citizens Advice Bureau; Credit Action, Lincolnshire Action Trust; Toynbee Hall and the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).

The review identified five well regarded initiatives, drawing on the views of both policy makers and practitioners. It identified a number of key elements of best practice, including attention to the identified needs of individuals, the use of games and an informal atmosphere, flexible provision and the deployment of peer supporters.

Key findings:

Effective approaches to addressing the financial problems of offenders should comprise three key elements:

• Practically focused information and training. This can be delivered pre-release or post-release by a wide range of agencies including prison officers, tutors, third sector workers and peer supporters. Organisations such as the National Association of Reformed Offenders and Lincolnshire Action Trust provide training to enable others to deliver their courses. This may be effective at raising awareness and confidence and equipping individuals with some basic financial skills.
• Basic skills provision. Many offenders have poor basic skills - 37% of the prison population has a reading age at or below that expected of an 11 year old. An inability to make basic calculations will prevent effective budgeting even if the individual has become highly motivated to address their financial needs. This support may be provided by a range of providers including colleges.
• Individual face-to-face provision to help individuals with specific financial issues. This may typically be delivered by the Citizens Advice Bureau or other providers as a free legal service. De Meza et al (2008) suggest this may be a particularly effective approach. It can help offenders overcome a financial crisis but rarely builds their own capacity to avoid future crises.

Points to consider:

• This review, though highly relevant, is short and as a result does not contain much detail about the methodology employed in the research. Its conclusions should therefore be treated with a degree of caution.
• Research seems to have consisted entirely of guided conversations with course providers about their work.

• The review is a relevant and informative study of offender rehabilitation. It provides a basic overview of the issues and links to some of the key providers, and an assessment of the value of their programmes.

• The review is transferable insofar as it would be worth reading by anyone interested in this issue. However it should be treated as an introductory text and used to find avenues for further investigation.