NDSA Prevent and Probation mentoring programme

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We are an autistic-led non-profit social enterprise developing innovative new support programmes for autistic people. The cost of average prison sentence is up to £170K, with the total cost of prison and probation service of over £3.5 billion per annum. Autistic people account for up to 19% of prison population according to the Review on Neurodiversity by the Criminal Justice Inspection (the Review) resulting in overall cost per average 4 year sentence of £2.7 billion for autistic people. The government estimates the overall economic cost of reoffending at £18 billion, which leads to cost attributable to autistic offenders of over £3.4 billion (The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)), June 2021, Bigger better probation service).We will pilot a digital first mentoring programme where autistic ex-offenders mentor the rehabilitation of autistic prisoners into employment based on proven methods, on the real-life experiences of autistic rehabilitated offenders and working closely with employers. It will be based on a successful concept of our mentoring into employment and post diagnostic support programmes. The focus will be on developing the know-how based on the expertise of CJS practitioners and rehabilitated autistic ex-offenders, creating income and employment opportunities and helping them to realise their potential and improve the sense of self-worth, recognising their contribution to society. The key question will be whether with the right training and support autistic ex-offenders could help the rehabilitation of autistic prisoners or help those autistic people in the CJS who are managed in the community.In addition to crime reduction and savings to the taxpayer the main project benefits enables to meet the needs of autistic users in the CJS who are currently disadvantaged, provides for their inclusion and equality, fosters their rehabilitation and employability resulting in lower reoffending. Another benefit is for offenders' families in improving their quality of life and outcomes. The project also leads to job creation for rehabilitated autistic ex-offenders, promoting their sense of self-worth, recognition, achieving their potential and personal growth and sense of belonging. The wider societal benefit of improving autism understanding and acceptance, the inclusion of autistic people in employment and society and equality for autistic people in the CJS.This is consistent with the MoJ's equality, diversity and inclusion objectives and the new government's Autism Strategy highlighting the priority of addressing autism in the CJS. The time is right for a tailored lived experience-informed autistic to autistic mentoring rehabilitation and diversion support programme.