Making Headway: Probation supports probationers to better understand the impact of brain injury and develop practical strategies for navigating everyday life, managing relationships and building long-term stability.
For people involved in the criminal justice system, the often hidden challenges of brain injury - like emotional regulation, decision-making and impulse control - can make it more difficult to engage with probation services and access support.
Part of Headway UK's wider Justice Programme, Making Headway: Probation aims to address these challenges through specialist brain injury support.
The pilot has now been successfully completed by eight participants across the HMPPS South Central region, demonstrating the potential for targeted initiatives to improve outcomes for people living with the effects of brain injury.
The programme looks to identify participants six months before their release, helping to prepare individuals for reintegration into society, and is delivered across four modules:
Module one ‘Understanding Brain Injury, Health and Recovery’ explores how brain injury can affect thinking, emotions, behaviour and everyday life. Participants learn about recovery, wellbeing and practical ways to support day-to-day functioning.
Module two ‘Managing Emotions and Behaviour’ helps participants develop practical strategies to recognise triggers, manage difficult emotions, improve self-awareness and reduce impulsive reactions.
‘Relationships and Communication’ makes up the third module and teaches techniques to improve communication, manage conflict, reduce misunderstandings and build healthier relationships.
The fourth module is ‘Moving Forward and Building Stability’, which brings together everything learned throughout the programme and develop practical strategies to support long-term stability and progress.
Chris Marriott, Justice Programme Manager at Headway UK wrote:
It's all about moving forward. The programme is about teaching participants how can we look to the future to make the future as best as it possibly can be.
“It can be a daunting prospect for an individual thinking about release, especially if they acquired their brain injury whilst in prison. They don't know what it's like to live in society with a brain injury.
“Or for somebody whose brain injury was an aggravating factor in a crime, and they have been in prison for the last 15- 20 years. They've lived in a structured environment for a large portion of their adult lives.
“In that time, the likes of smartphones, online banking, shopping and cashless businesses have become the norm. So, individuals are going to adjust to all of these technological advances, and doing so with a brain injury.”
Headway’s Justice Programme aims to raise awareness and improve understanding of brain injury in the criminal justice system, ensuring survivors, and those suspected of having a brain injury, receive appropriate support.
Chris added: “Too often, people are struggling with the hidden effects of brain injury without understanding why - better awareness can help individuals move forward positively and avoid reoffending.”
You can read more about Making Headway: Probation and Headway’s Justice Programme here.