218 service

218 is a joint health and voluntary sector criminal justice service commissioned by Glasgow City Council to work with women offenders.  218 aims to address the root causes of their offending.  We offer women offenders in Glasgow a person centred programme of care, support and development designed to stop women's offending by tackling the substance misuse, the trauma and poverty that drive it.
 
Who is 218 for?
218 is for women living in or offending in Glasgow who are caught up in the criminal justice system.  They may be in prison, have had a term of imprisonment, be on a current criminal justice order, or they may be facing prosecution. 218 is here to help women break the cycle of offending which results in the "revolving door" syndrome that characterises many of their relationships with prison. 

How do we achieve this?
We achieve this by providing a holistic approach to the women who use the service by dealing with all the issues that arise in relation to their offending behaviour.  The service delivers this through a social and health care model.  A structured programme as well as one to one interventions facilitates this process.

In addition some complementary therapies are on offer as acupuncture and Indian head massage. 

Referrals:
Women can access the service from court, prison, community services or as part of a court order.  

Anyone who is in contact with women offenders in Glasgow can refer.  Referrers must be able to take on the care manager role.  We consider that 218 should be part of the professional tool box of:

1.  The social work department

2.  Criminal justice system including:

Police
Procurator Fiscal
Sheriff Principals
Stipendiary Magistrates
Solicitors and lawyers
Primary health care professionals & agencies
Addiction services
 

218 is not an easy option.  It is not an accommodation service neither is it a scripting only service; although accommodation and prescribing can be part of a programme.

Contact details:
218
218 Bath Street
Glasgow, G2 4HW
T: 0141 331 6200
F: 0141 331 6202
E: marybeglan@turningpointscotland.com