A MAGISTRATE has praised an intensive local intervention program working to reduce the rates of re- offending in Tamworth.
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Tamworth was one of two areas selected for a two-year trial of the CREDIT program and the only location outside of Sydney, and since then it's gone from strength to strength.
Even participants of the program have described it as a "life-changer".
Since its inception in 2009, its won high praise, not only from magistrates, but all sides of the court room and the wider community.
"From my perspective, it's marvellous," new Tamworth magistrate Michael Holmes told The Leader yesterday.
"Every defendant in this town has every opportunity to get first class support."
CREDIT the Court Referral of Eligible Defendants into Treatment program is embedded into the registry in Tamworth, and magistrate Holmes believes that adds to its success.
Prosecutors, solicitors and magistrates can refer defendants to the program, along with those already charged before the court.
"Each case is tailored to the person and that's the strength of it," Magistrate Holmes said.
"They are in the court and that's the central part of the program I believe, so the defendants know who to contact, and who they have to turn to."
The voluntary program focuses on intensive intervention lasting up to six months, and links them to other services to target any underlying problems.
From counselling to housing, education, employment and training, domestic violence services to brain injury case management, disability services, debt management, health and medication, anger management, parenting programs the service tackles it all.
Magistrate Holmes said he was previously based in areas such as Inverell and Moree where there were limited services a stark comparison to what is offered in Tamworth.
"I've got every tool that I can target on the problem to prevent re-offending," he said.
"It's something great for the community of Tamworth."
The program now has three case managers who oversee up to 100 cases at any one time.
The two year trial has been ongoing but there has been no confirmation if the program will be made permanent.
