C-FAR — the controversial West Devon rehabilitation centre for young offenders —estimates it has saved the Treasury £2.42-million since starting two years ago.

The innovative Highampton-based centre is, despite early condemnation from some sources, finding itself on a par and even a step ahead of policies proposed by recent reports.

The long-awaited Cabinet Office Social Exclusion Unit report stresses the need for a radical change in the way offenders are dealt with, including the provision of intensive rehabilitation training and support back into the community. This is further endorsed by the Halliday Report.

Both stress the requirement to build partnerships with the voluntary sector in order to meet the provision.

Chief executive and founder of C-FAR Lt Col Trevor Philpott said the charity was clearly meeting the needs of policies proposed within the reports and criminal justice system.

'The charity has in many ways been ahead of the proposals. Many young men are now back in our communities forging new lives and avoiding a life of crime,' he said.

'With funding we know we can help many more to achieve similar outcomes, thus contributing to the reduction of offending and the fear of crime.'

The charity is awaiting a reply from the Home Office for further financial support. Mr Philpott said C-FAR hoped the Home Office and Treasury would acknowledge the contribution the charity was making and that appropriate funding would soon be forthcoming.

Over the past two years more than 100 young men have taken part in the Life Change C-FAR programme. Of these 55% remain engaged with 44% in work and paying taxes — many for the first time in their lives.

On average, each 18-24-year-old persistent offender costs the country in excess of £100,000 per year. Since starting operations in June 2000 C-FAR has cost £1,780,000 with the cost per trainee of £17,800 — an estimated net saving to the Treasury of £2.42-million.

Mr Philpott said the team at C-FAR had in two years proved how effective a 'life change' programme could be.

'Many young offenders have low educational achievement levels, poor family backgrounds and have suffered abuse both physical and often alcohol and drug-related.

'This is not some namby-pamby approach we are advocating — but one must bear in mind that attention, affection and achievement are the three big unknowns to many and almost alien to these young men,' he said.

He said if a criminal had written himself off as a failure at 18 and then every authority he came up against — courts or prisons — endorsed that view and turned the key on him there was little hope.

'We are trying and succeeding in breaking this vicious cycle. Education is the key,' said Mr Philpott.

'A reading age of seven in your late teens is tough and needs addressing. Basic training in parenting and life skills must go hand in hand with that education. Then and only then can we begin to see a chance of rehabilitation and returning some of these offenders into a society where they can start to make a positive contribution.'