Current timestamp: 17/06/2025 06:10:02
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal Activity[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-location' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Leave this site

Cookies

We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.

Accept cookies Reject cookies Customise cookies

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Close announcement bar

Alert Incident

Plane crash in Ahmedabad

The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved.

  • What to do if you have concerns about friends or family

Wiltshire Police force crest

  • Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Report a missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
    • Hate crime
  • Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
  • Back to Apply or register

    • Careers and volunteering
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Collision records fees
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Compensation for something the police have done
    • Request your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Feedback about the website
    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
  • Your area
  1. ...
  2. News

Probation – life after prison on the Integrated Offender Management scheme

Main article content

News
Published: 14:55 17/02/2022

Taking drugs, gambling, drinking and stealing are just a few of the many temptations some offenders grapple with after leaving prison.

As part of a week-long focus on the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) scheme – a national project which involves the police and other partner agencies working with former inmates to help rehabilitate them – we are looking at the role of Probation today (17/02).

Mel Soane is the Probation Service Officer for Swindon.  It’s her job to help offenders integrate back into society, and she sees the police’s role as essential in helping her do that.

Mel said:  “The police carry a lot of weight in the community.  They are trusted and so open doors to help me and my colleagues engage with the probationary clients.

“Many of these people – primarily men – look up to the officers; and these are men of all ages, from 18-year olds upwards – there is no upper age limit.

“From my point of view, everyone likes working with the police, and those offenders we work with are made to feel like they are part of the IOM team – a valued member.  It’s not an us and them situation, we are all in it together.”

Mark Wilkinson, from Wiltshire Police, who helps run the IOM programme in the county, said:  “The IOM cohort is primarily made up of offenders who are at high risk of reoffending, rather than those who are at high risk of causing serious harm.  As a result, it’s essential that we work with partners like Probation to break that habitual pattern of offenders breaking the law.”

We always consider the impact on the victim

Mel cites a particular success:  “One man was a habitual burglar due to a gambling addiction.  He was getting some help but was also struggling.

“On one occasion he stole a watch but refused to admit it – despite there being proof.  Several days later he returned the timepiece having realised the impact of all his past crimes and wanting to make amends.

“I remember saying to him that it was nice he had returned the watch - which it was but we then had more work to do, including the discussion around victim empathy and the consequences of his actions.”

Mel Soane.jpg

Mel Soane 

Martin Parker, who leads on preventing reoffending from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Rehabilitation and punishment must go hand in hand to ensure offenders have the necessary support package in place and don’t go on to commit further offences.  

“As part of the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) scheme we work alongside the police and probation services to help break the cycle of offending and where necessary fund specialist services to prevent further crime, such as support for drug and alcohol addiction.

“In addition, and in partnership with the probation service, we fund specialist behavioural change services that provide specific support to domestic abuse perpetrators, no longer is the onus on victims to keep themselves safe.

“These approaches are proven to reduce reoffending and by working together we are reducing the number of victims of crime and ultimately, making Wiltshire safer.”

Mel admits that the IOM programme has helped the Probation Service be more in touch with the other agencies on the scheme like Housing and the Department for Work and Pensions.

“It’s all about building their (clients) confidence and helping hone their skills so they can get a job and start their lives again.”

Share

Footer navigation

Wiltshire Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • News
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy notice

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Stats and data
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police and Crime Commissioner
  • Police.uk

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.