Drink Impaired Drivers' (DID) Programme
This page will explain more about the programme and what is expected of you.
What is the DID programme?
It is a supervision programme, run by the Probation Service for those convicted of excess alcohol offences.
It can form part of a Community Punishment Order, a Community Rehabilitation Order, a Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order or a post-release prison licence.
Evidence proves it helps reduce the incidence of drink driving and resulting accidents/ offences.
What will I have to do on the programme?
You will work in a group of up to 12 people whose offences are also linked to drink driving.
This will be led by specially trained probation staff. They will teach you new skills that will help you stop drink driving.
You will have to:
- Take part in exercises and discussions
- Learn more about the effects of drink driving
How long will the programme last?
There will be five individual sessions to prepare you for the programme, 14 groupwork sessions and five more individual follow-up evaluation and relapse prevention sessions.
Each session will last about two hours. You will have to attend up to two sessions a week.
How will I know if I have made any progress?
You will be assessed at the beginning and at the end of the programme.
From this you will see what progress you have made.
It will also help us to see how well we have helped you.
Another assessment may be done with you a few months after the programme.
Your supervising officer will also review your progress with you.
What happens if I miss a session?
You must attend all the programme sessions if you want to complete the programme successfully. You must contact the probation staff as soon as possible if you are not able to attend a session.
You may be allowed to continue if you attend a catch-up session to go over what you have missed. You will only be allowed to do this once.
If you miss two or more sessions without a good reason you will be returned to court.
The probation staff will decide if you have a good reason or not.
You will also be returned to court if you behave unacceptably or turn up late.
What happens if I am ill and cannot attend?
If you are ill you must provide a sick certificate. You must give this to the probation staff within seven working days.
Do I have any rights while I am on the programme?
You will be treated fairly and equally. You will be expected to behave just as fairly to other people.
The service will not allow racist, sexist or other disrespectful behaviour from any person under our supervision.
You can make a complaint if you feel you have been treated unfairly or unreasonably. You should try and talk about this with the probation staff first, or their managers.
If you are not satisfied with the response you get, then you can write to the Chief Officer at:
Thames Valley Probation Area
Head Office
Kingsclere Road
Bicester
Oxon
OX26 2QD
What if I have any questions or problems?
If you have any questions or problems, please ask the programme staff, who will try to sort things out for you.
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