The MP for Bolton West met with John Brimley, the head of the Cheshire & Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company (CGM CRC) in the borough. He also met with CGM CRC’s probation staff Danielle Buckley and Esia Hussein, together with Susan Bullough, who is serving a one year suspended sentence order for assault.
Bolton probation is a high-performing area. A total of 87 per cent of the offenders supervised in Bolton West successfully completed their sentence between July to September. This is considerably above the 75 per cent target for Community Sentence completion set by the Government.
In addition, where offenders do not successfully complete their order, they are swiftly returned to court and are re-sentenced, and potentially sent to custody.
Mr Green said: “Quite rightly, a big issue for people I meet around my constituency is law and order. Learning more about the work done by probation to rehabilitate offenders has certainly helped me to improve my understanding of this vital work.
“I also really appreciated hearing the difference the service can make to people’s lives. The fact that Susan has clearly benefitted from probation and now feels part of a community - something that many of us take for granted - was striking.”
Susan said: “Probation has been helpful for me. I attend a drop-in centre and meeting other women there and being part of that group has stopped me getting into trouble. I’ve also quit drugs and have been abstinent for 11-months.
“I now think before I do things. I’m also very shy, but I feel I’ve got more confidence now and that makes me feel much happier.”
John Brimley, assistant chief executive, added: “I am delighted that Mr Green took the time to visit CGM CRC to learn more about the work we deliver.
“Probation strives to protect the community we serve by reducing re-offending. We rigorously hold people to account for their actions, but we also do everything we can to support their rehabilitation.
“Once people have a stake in their community, they are far more likely to stop committing crime. Susan is a fantastic example of what we aim to achieve.”