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All this week, we've been hearing stories brought to us by today program listeners.

That's you.

This morning, our listeners are Dr Lisa Wright and Dr. Mark Walton,

both clinical psychologists who work on Merseyside in the only NHS unit of its kind,

where they're trying to cut criminal offending rates using therapy. It's not an alternative to prison. The NHS Forensic

Psychology Centre in Liverpool works with people who have served custodial sentences who might be at

risk of re-offending. But uniquely, the unit also works with families in the community

to stop new parents who might be at risk of serious offending from committing crimes.

Our home and legal affairs correspondent, Dominic Cassiani,

visited the NHS Forensic Psychology Centre,

and this is the first time that they've allowed journalists in to see the work they do.

I'm outside Liverpool Crown Court. Few courts in the country dish out more justice than this

rather intimidating piece of brutalist architecture, just a seagull's swoop from the Mersey.

Today there are 17 courts running at full pelt. We've got three defendants of the possession of weapons, a few for assaults, threats to kill, two alleged robbers, two suspected arsonists and six people facing a variety of sexual offences. This is the tide of violence and human misery that's not unique to Merseyside. This court and courts around the northwest, really, a complete wide range of offences, to be honest.

Isabella Den White is three years into her career here as a barrister.

You come into court and see a really horrible offence, but then when you speak to a defendant

and you often learn of the really tragic upbringing they've had. Often things

could be tackled to do with their life that may help stop them either committing those

offences or committing any offence in the future.

Listening to the grim tales of criminals in courts is my bread and butter, but I'm not here

for that. I'm in Liverpool to meet two today listeners who want to show us their work in crime prevention.

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