A project which helps resettle prisoners in Northamptonshire communities is being expanded.

The Hope (High Offender Partnership Enterprise) Project, which began in Wellingborough and Rushden a year ago, is to start up in Kettering and Corby.

The scheme helps offenders from Wellingborough Prison with a string of convictions linked to drug abuse with their reintegration.

The prisoners are closely monitored by representatives from a range of organizations and agencies including Northamptonshire Police, the Probation Service, Northamptonshire Drug and Alcohol Services and the prison.

Working well

In the past year, 12 prisoners have gone back to living and working in the community without offending or taking drugs.

Five are currently on the project and five more are in prison waiting to start the scheme on their release.

Because of the success so far it has been decided to extend the project.

"The project has been working well and we hope it will be equally as successful with offenders in Corby and Kettering," said Detective Constable Jenny Playford, project officer.

"We hope it will result in stopping prolific offenders from re-offending."

The scheme is funded by Wellingborough Council, East Northants District Council, Kettering Council and Corby Council.