In an office just outside Gravesend town centre the justice system is changing.

For the first time probation officers are working with academics to revolutionise rehabilitation and in the process cut crime.

Kent, Surrey & Sussex Community Rehabilitation Company’s (KSS) goal is as ambitious as it is honourable.

Adults sent to prison re-offend at a rate of around 49%, rising to 65% for those sentenced to less than 12 months. People handed a community sentence reoffend at a rate of 33%.

The company took over supervising low and medium risk offenders, of which there are 4,500 in Kent, in 2015 as part of the part privatisation of the probation service – high risk offenders are still supervised by the publicly-funded National Probation Service.

Now, following a £1.8 million investment seven new purpose built hubs have been created in town’s across the county in an effort to get a hold of the reoffending issue.

Facilities have also opened in Ashford, Chatham, Maidstone, Ramsgate, Sittingbourne and Tunbridge Wells.

Head of intervention Carl Hall says the new spaces allow for a much more holistic approach to rehabilitation.

He said: “We have job clubs which teach offenders about getting back into work, how to interview, how to dress and how to discuss their crimes.

“We also have people coming in to discuss substance misuse and housing problems.

“If you can get someone a job and a home you’re half way there.”

And he says the autonomy to create the new centres is one of going private.

Currently Dr David Coley, an experienced officer and now a probation practice researcher, is the only academic working with the company, but soon he’ll be joined by senior lecturer in criminology at the University of Portsmouth, Kerry Ellis-Devitt.

He says the changes being made by KSS, which is owned by Seetec, are sorely needed not just by the probation service but by the entire justice system.

“There’s been a fall in public confidence both in magistrates and in community sentences in recent years,” he explains, adding part of that problem is magistrates themselves lack faith in rehabilitation.

He added: “Community sentences are a much cheaper option than prison and statistically a better option.”

Community payback also falls under KSS’ remit.

Head of that department Emma Vecchiolla is happy to report in the past year 390,000 hours of work has been carried out equating to £2.9 million of free labour.

It’s traditionally seen as the punishment part of probation, but it is all part of the road to reformation and 20% of the hours imposed on offenders at court can be spent developing skills.

Some of those doing community service even get employed off the back of it, other offenders are now working for KSS.

She said: “Some people in my sessions have never had to get up at the same time every day. Unemployed offenders are made to work up to four days a week.”

They work with charities, have created a memory garden in Rochester for Making Miracles and are in talks with nine other charities to make wooden items for them to sell.

Chief executive Suki Binning says the investment means KSS can stay at the heart of communities.

She added: “This will help us to preserve and strengthen the vital links between our probation officers, offenders and partners from police and other agencies.”

KSS will now develop a research unit to test, trial and evaluate new programmes to reduce reoffending.

All building towards an end goal, says Mrs Binning, of “cutting the number of future victims of crime and improving the quality of life for communities across the region.”