TWO young trainees this week left C-FAR ? the pioneering centre at Burdon Grange, Highampton set up to rehabilitate young offenders ? after deciding the project was not for them.
The two young men were part of the most recent intake of trainees at C-FAR, intending to complete the 19th ?life change? programme run by the charity since it was set up in June 2000.
The trainees left C-FAR on Sunday night of their own free will and with permission.
Richard White, head of project development, said: ?Trainees attend voluntarily after choosing to join the C-FAR programme and some realise the programme is not for them.
?The remaining trainees are all participating fully and enjoying the programme.?
Mr White said there was no misconduct surrounding the departure of the two young men and C-FAR?s normal procedures for departing trainees were followed.
?As a matter of legal requirement, the police were informed that the trainees were no longer at the centre,? said Mr White.
The aim of C-FAR is to break the cycle of re-offending by young criminals. Offenders who have served their sentence in prison are accepted at the centre after an extensive interview process and follow an intensive training and education course.
Following the course, they are supported by ?mentors? and encouraged to take their part in society in a positive manner.
But the decision to base the centre in a rural community was controversial and some residents in Highampton campaigned vigorously against it.
David Richards, who lives near Burdon Grange, said earlier reports this week that the trainees had ?absconded? only served to heighten the fear of crime in the area.