About LAT: Black Self Development Project (BSDP)

“I have gained a lot of self control and reclaimed control of my life. The Black Self-Development course has given me a lot of information, knowledge and skills that I can now apply to my daily life and use to become a better person.” Course Participant

The Black Self Development Project (BSDP) is an innovative rehabilitation programme that works with black and ethnic minority inmates at HMP Brixton. It is rooted in the concept of Black perspectives and has been developed by Black criminal justice workers over the last 15 years. It is currently being delivered under a two-year Job Centre Plus contract.

This contract will come to an end in December 2006 and an Evaluation of the Project has just been completed. This Report assesses how well the Project has performed against targets and attempts to give some indication of the positive impact this remarkable project has had on participants.

Click here to read the Executive Summary

Click here to read the Full Evaluation Report

The programme is based on proven social groupwork and experiential learning techniques which promote awareness, development and attitudinal change. It also combines intensive education and social and life skills components which bring about behavioural and life style changes. Finally, we provide careers advice and employment support to participants to bring about these changes, along with referral to other support networks available to them upon their release.

The BSDP’s success at HMP Brixton shows how embedding a culturally specific rehabilitation programme can help to meet the objectives of the diversity agenda of all statutory agencies. In the next twelve months we hope to begin delivery within a number of other prisons and develop our work within the community.

 

The Results

The programme has been running successfully in HMP Brixton since January 2005 with the full support of the Governor and resettlement staff. BSDP is currently exceeding its contract targets for participation and the number of people gaining open college network qualifications.

Participants on the course have identified the following benefits:

  • A commitment to cease their offending behaviour upon release
  • A greater understanding of relationships, including family, community, professional and social relationships
  • A better comprehension of black history and their black identities
  • A greater respect for themselves, society and other cultures
  • Increased self-esteem and confidence
  • Improved communication skills

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The Programme

The BSD programme uses self-learning, role-play, experiential learning and skills development to promote awareness, growth and a change of attitude amongst the clients we work with.

Participants on the course engage in detailed examination of their responsibility for offending. Participants will also learn new skills, identify future goals and explore alternatives to offending by examining the education, training and employment opportunities available to them. Combined with an intensive social skills component the programme brings about and sustains rehabilitation.

The BSD programme consists of six components:

  • A Comprehensive group work programme
  • Skills for Life and Dyslexia assessment and tuition
  • ICT tuition and support
  • One-to-one guidance and advice on education, training and employment
  • Access to funds to assist with the purchase of books and/or equipment to encourage learners returning to full-time education and skills training
  • Support from an Employment, Education and Training Officer who provides post release support with the aim of the learner securing employment or entering further education.

The programme consists of sixteen sessions spread over eight weeks and includes 90 hours of contact time and 60 hours of self-learning.

Read more about the Content of the Sessions

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What makes the programme unique?

The Black Self-Development programme gives Black and minority ethnic offenders the opportunity to:

  • Experience a positive group culture that promotes self responsibility, legitimate work and success orientated attitudes;
  • Develop a better comprehension of their culture, history and contemporary analysis of society;
  • Learn through interaction with group members, from education inputs, social skills programme and self-learning tasks;
  • Discuss areas such as masculinity, self-abuse, life styles, violence, health issues and criminal behaviour;
  • Challenge and confront negative behaviour in a positive way; try out new ways of behaving and develop healthy attitudes and social skills within a safe environment;
  • Develop education, knowledge, assertive techniques, negotiating and decision-making skills;
  • Develop behavioural skills in order to better manage their relationships (family, work, professional etc) and learn how to cater for their own needs, desires and aspirations in legitimate ways.

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Contact Us

For more information about the Black Self Development Programme please contact:

Project Manager

Diedre Johnson, 020 7738 5838, diedre.johnson@lat.org.uk

Skills for Life Tutor

Femi Wete, 020 7738 5838, femi.wete@lat.org.uk

Groupwork Facilitator

Rukaya Swaby, 020 7738 5838, rukaya.swaby@lat.org.uk

Project Administrator

Fola Onile-Ere, 020 7738 5838, fola.onile-ere@lat.org.uk

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BSDP is funded by the European Social Fund and Job Centre Plus

 
   
last updated 16 November, 2006 another website by cwndesign