New Covid-19 telephone line for people on probation in Eastbourne

The organisation which supervises low and medium risk offenders in Eastbourne and the surrounding areas this week launched a new telephone helpline for people on probation worried about the impact of Covid-19 on areas of their life such as finances, housing and mental health.
By AnneMarie Field
Published 4th May 2020, 13:35 BST
Community Payback SUS-200405-131338001Community Payback SUS-200405-131338001
Community Payback SUS-200405-131338001

The Kent, Surrey and Sussex Community rehabilitation Company has set up the advice line for the 8,650 people it supervises in the region to signpost them to services quickly as their circumstances change as a result of the pandemic. It is hoped that by intervening early to offer help, probation workers can ease the pandemic’s impact on areas of offenders’ lives which may drive their criminal behaviour.

The support line is staffed by a dedicated team of skilled and experienced probation workers, some of whom have had their usual work suspended due to restrictions in place as part of the nationwide lockdown. It is in addition to the routine and regular appointments people on probation maintain with their supervising officer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The service is open every day except bank holidays and available to a total of 19,000 offenders under KSS CRC supervision.

Details of how to reach the service have been shared directly with offenders through their supervisors.

KSS CRC deputy chief probation officer, Cynthia Allen, said, “This support line will provide the people we supervise with advice they need to tackle the problems they face because of the pandemic. Many of the root causes offending behaviour may be made worse at this time, whether that is down to loss of jobs creating financial stress or anxiety about the future exacerbating anger, mental ill-health or substance misuse issues.

“Early intervention to signpost people to the support available is at the heart of our approach. This will help the people we supervise to make better choices, reduce the likelihood of reoffending and strengthen the safety of everyone in the communities we serve.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.