The ThinkFirst programme

This page gives details of the ThinkFirst programmes run by probation staff for offenders throughout Thames Valley.


ThinkFirst can form part of a Community Order or a post-release prison licence.

AIMS:
ThinkFirst is designed to:

• Focus on skills to change behaviour, including problem-solving, self-management and social skills.
• To increase public protection
• To challenge offenders to accept responsibility for their crime and its consequence.

Who is suitable?
Persistent male and female offenders who:

• Are medium to high risk
• Are impulsive and/or rigid thinkers
• Do not think through the consequences of their actions
• Fail to consider the effects of their behaviour on victims or others
• Are assessed as suitable for the programme in a Pre-Sentence Report (PSR)

It is not suitable for:

• Sex offenders
• Domestic violence perpetrators
• Other serious violent or racially motivated violent offenders
• Drink drivers who do not commit other offences

What does the programme involve?

• Two pre-groupwork sessions with the offender
• 25 weekly groupwork sessions (each two hours)
• 6 individual post-groupwork sessions
• Monitoring and evaluation.