Custody cell technology in Norfolk and Suffolk tackles offending

On By Pranco

vikki Irwin/BBC It's a wall in a Suffolk police investigation center where they bring criminals in to sit before they go in to see the custody sergeant. It has illustrations and messages on it. It says "Making a positive change in your life starts now". Then there are colored drawings of men and women with captions that say: employment, gambling support, mental health and wellbeing. vikki Irwin/BBC

Wall art and screens in cells are part of a ‘cultural shift’ towards prisoners

Message murals and in-cell screens in six police investigation centers (PIC) have seen a significant increase in referrals to support services used to divert offenders from crime, two forces claim.

Ch Insp Rob Wicks, chief of police for Suffolk and Norfolk, said they have ‘convicted’ suspects in the past.

He added that there had been a “cultural shift” and that they were “quite proud of what they were doing now and the opportunities that people who are taken into custody can have that prevent them from going back into custody in the future to take’.

This method of behavior change is known as “nudge theory” and a Home Office grant of £1 million has been used to modernize the six detention centres.

Vikki Irwin/BBC Dr. Granville Sutton sits on a sofa in an interview room at Martlesham Police's investigation centre. He is sitting on a comfortable couch, wearing a black and white striped sweater and dark pants. Vikki Irwin/BBC

Dr. Granville Sutton believes what is happening in Suffolk detention centers is “truly astonishing” and is helping to prevent offenders from returning

The screen technology in the cells has made this possible researchers at the University of Sheffield developing animated films.

They are intended to inform prisoners about their rights, welfare and what services are available to them through the diversion and liaison team.

The Home Office also paid grants for each PIC to convert an interrogation room into a comfortable and safe space where these teams can take detainees to provide them with support in a less formal environment.

The team offers advice on gambling, wellbeing, employment benefits, housing and recovery services for drug users.

‘Make them think’

Turning Point provides the drug recovery service for Suffolk Police.

Dr. The charity’s Granville Sutton said they had heard from other drug workers across the country about detention environments where not “much was happening”.

He said “we are truly blessed in Suffolk” and the prison facilities were “really great… fencing and signage”.

He explained that people under stress are often stressed and do not realize what is happening.

The messages in the cells and on the screens give inmates something to read or watch and it gets them thinking, he said.

When they enter the comfortable interrogation room, they see that “we interact with them in a completely different way.”

“We are just here to help them improve their health and hopefully never end up in custody again,” he said.

Vikki Irwin/BBC A police officer in a suit and red tie. He is 70 years old and stands in front of a full-length glass window where you can look outside. There are trees and shrubs. Vikki Irwin/BBC

Robin Pivett says approach is ‘not soft on crime’

Robin Pivett was a police officer for more than thirty years before moving on to become a civilian drugs liaison officer leading the joint Drug Testing on Demand service for Norfolk and Suffolk police forces.

He has been instrumental in implementing changes in custody, especially for drug users.

He does not see the approach as “soft on criminals”.

“What they are trying to do is identify those who have a serious problem, address their addiction and keep them healthy and alive in the long term and obviously not commit further crimes,” he said.

Ch Insp Rob Wicks agreed, saying: “We deal with the crime separately (but) we always want to provide the best possible service to victims.

“Reducing the number of people who reoffend will reduce the number of victims and therefore the impact of crime.”

Vikki Irwin/BBC A view of a green prison door looking out from the cell with a TV screen hanging above it. There is also a target on the walls. The image illustrates how in-cell technology is used in police cells. Vikki Irwin/BBC

Screens have been added to detention cells through a grant from the Home Office

According to the Ministry of the Interior, more than 700,000 people pass through storage centers every year.

The evaluation of the animated films is still ongoinging and a final report is expected next spring.

It does not take into account whether this reduces recidivism rates, but only whether detainees use the diversion and liaison services offered.

Dr. Sutton said the overall impact on recidivism rates is very difficult to measure, but what their research did show was that “when drug users are in treatment, they become healthier and commit fewer crimes.”