Pathways, the new out of court disposal scheme in Cumbria, that reduces crime and transforms lives, received national recognition today, as runners up of the Howard League ‘Policing and Adults’ award 2022.

Pathways, funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Peter McCall and delivered by Remedi, was chosen as one of the three finalists for the ‘Policing and Adults’ Category 2022. Those shortlisted alongside Pathways, included the prison service in Northern Ireland for their city centre welfare scheme and the West Midland offender rehabilitation programme.

The Howard League awards celebrate the country’s most successful community projects, which help divert people away from the criminal justice system by providing alternative targeted interventions, helping to reduce the risk of reoffending.

Post completion of the Pathways programme, 94% of offenders have not reoffended six months on and demand on service has reduced by 56.7%.  In the last eighteen months, there have been 805 signposting opportunities and in total, 406 offenders have successfully completed the Pathways programme.

PCC Peter McCall comments: “We launched Pathways, an innovative programme that aims to both listen to the wishes of victims and prevent offenders returning to crime, just 18 months ago.

“To be shorted listed, in such a wide category of national entries, was an achievement in itself, and to achieve the Runners Up award, is fantastic credit to all the partners involved.

“The Howard League for Penal Reform charity promotes common-sense approaches that guide people away from trouble. These annual awards celebrate best practice in diversionary work across the UK, highlighting innovative projects that challenges and changes people for the better.

“Making our communities safer, by guiding people away from crime, can only be a good thing and I would like to congratulate everyone on the team that helps to make the Pathways project run smoothly.”

 Dave Bates, Operation manager for Remedi in Cumbria comments: “ It’s a great privilege to accept the award on behalf of all the Cumbria Pathways team, who have worked incredibly hard with offenders over the past 18 months to achieve some really positive outcomes for offenders and victims across Cumbria.

“We are delighted to receive the recognition from such a prestigious national award which highlights how well the project is working in Cumbria.

“With the strong partnerships we have with the OPCC and Cumbria Constabulary, plus the tremendous support from other linked organisations across Cumbria, I’m confident it will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Chief Inspector Jon Sherlock, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “It is great news that the Pathways programme has been recognised in these awards.

“Pathways provides the opportunity of an outcome which seeks to get justice and closure for victims, as well as ensuring that offenders understand the consequences their actions have had.

“Since its introduction, hundreds of people have successfully completed the Pathways scheme and importantly have not gone on to reoffend. This has no doubt contributed to making communities in Cumbria safer.”