Justin Coleman is COO of the Alliance of Sport
Sport and physical activity, in and of itself, is not a panacea for the criminal justice system (CJS) or the participants within its care. A game of football or table tennis will not reduce the re-offending rate on its own – not least because the system is so complex and each participant’s background and needs are so vastly different.
However, sport has a set of intrinsic benefits that make it the ideal vehicle for rehabilitation when it is packaged together with support including mentoring, education and training that enables each participant to complete their journey towards a life free from crime.
Sport has a set of key components that make it such a useful tool for rehabilitating those caught up in the CJS:
Firstly, it is transferable and mobile for participants of all ages, both their physical and cognitive ability and in fitting in with wider aspects of their lives.
It enables personal control, choice and achievement, so participants can set personal goals and progress at a pace they are comfortable with.
Sport positively develops its participants’ physical and mental health and wellbeing and enables the development of emotional regulation, as well as that current buzzword – resilience.
"Sport is not a panacea, but it has a set of intrinsic benefits that make it the ideal vehicle for rehabilition"
Central to all, if delivered well, sport is a positive platform for prosocial, proactive relationships and purposeful social connection – which, in turn, can enable the process of positive lifelong behaviour change.
This is achievable when partners from across the sector come together in partnership, which is what the Sport for Development sector in the UK is all about.
When the sport and activity industry works with the third sector, public health, police (and Police & Crime Commissioners), schools, colleges, universities, criminal justice, community organisations, employment, housing and families, sustainable rehabilitation and desistance from crime can be achieved, helping repair broken lives and building a stronger society for all.
Prisoners at HM Prison Oakwood were given the chance to participate in a football programme with mentors