Aims of throughcare

Justice Services aim to ensure the successful transition of people from custody to our communities and maintain strong partnership arrangements to improve the outcomes for this group of individuals and support the Safer Stronger Together plan in East Dunbartonshire.

Throughcare is the provision of a range of Social Work services to those in prison and their families from the point of sentence, throughout their period of imprisonment and following their release back into the community.

The services we offer you will find information on:

There are a range of Orders and Licences that individuals can be made subject to. The process starts at the point of sentencing, throughout their time in prison and then when they are released back into the community. Community Based Social Work have a role throughout this time. The designated Social Worker will meet with the prisoner shortly after sentencing to explain their role throughout the sentence and to discuss what supports can be offered to the prisoner and his/her family.

The Social Worker will attend annual Integrated Case Management Meetings (ICMS) in prison and compile Parole Reports for the Parole Board to assess the prisoner's suitability for release on licence. The Social Worker will work with the prisoner to prepare him/her for release and explore the areas the prisoner needs assistance with for example, housing, health, substance misuse and benefits. If released, the Social Worker will supervise you in accordance with the requirements of your release licence.

A prisoner sentenced to less than four years imprisonment can ask for assistance from Social Work during the sentence or within twelve months following his/her release to assist to resettle back into the community. A referral can be made by the prisoner or by Prison Based Social Work for Voluntary Throughcare support to the relevant Local Authority.

A prisoner will be provided with support on a range of issues to assist the prisoner to settle back into the community and refrain from further involvement in offending behaviour.

Social Work can offer support, guidance and signposting to other services to families who have a partner or relative in prison.They can arrange to meet with family and provide them with information about the sentence and supports following release from custody/prison. They can also offer assistance with any issues that have arisen as a result of imprisonment.