The Commissioner and Governors spoke at length about the systems in place to support prisoners both before and following their release to help them make positive choices and live a life free from crime.

Following the visit, Commissioner Grunshaw said: “I’m really encouraged by how well the police, local prisons and wider partners in Lancashire are working together already, but we know there is always more we can do.

“A key part of tackling crime is to break the cycle of re-offending and to put the right support and safeguards in place to help people achieve that.

“This is not to say that crime shouldn’t be punished, it absolutely should, but the process also needs to give offenders the opportunity to re-enter society with a different mindset, supported by local services and opportunities.

“My Office has an important part to play in this, whether that is working in partnership with our Violence Reduction Network to divert people away from crime, investing in local diversion or recovery schemes through my Community Fund or in my role as chair of the Local Criminal Justice Board.

“Through strong leadership, I will continue to bring together and work closely with our partners to ensure we are as focused on preventing crime as we are on tackling it.”