DOZENS of offenders pass through Colchester’s court rooms every day.

The vast majority get rehabilitation orders, sometimes combined with fines or jail terms.

Drink-drivers, drug addicts and domestic violence offenders are sometimes ordered to attend probation programmes.

But is rehabilitation a soft option designed to ease the pressure on our prisons, or does it actually work?

National Audit Office statistics say rehabilitation works better than short prison sentences.

It is a sentiment court usher and former police sergeant Lance Williams agrees with.

Mr Williams, 66, who is retiring after working for 11 years at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, has helped tens of thousands of offenders through the justice system.

He said: “I believe in the court system and I believe in punishment and rehabilitation. If you don’t believe in that, I think you have a problem.

“Rehabilitation does work and I think the magistrates in Colchester have provided that for a lot of people in this town. They have given them the chance to turn things around and make a success of their lives.

“I really feel sorry for some of them and it is sad, but there are some success stories. Some people come through the system and improve.”

Mr Williams said he was proud of his work at the court over the years, helping people at their lowest ebb.

He added: “I like the fact we can make a defendant’s visit to court a lot easier. A lot of them come here frightened and the ushers have to do their best to make their visits as easy as possible.

“It is a fact of life there are many people who will have to come before the courts at some point. We are helping these people through a difficult time and that can be a good feeling.

“I see people come to court and I have dealt with their parents and grandparents. I prefer to treat them as people, rather than criminals. I don’t look at all defendants as really bad people, I see them as misguided and unfortunate in life.

“I can walk around the town and people will come up to me and tell me they are due in court soon and ask me what they should do.

“They say hello, they are friendly and some even thank me for making the experience more bearable. That makes the job worthwhile.”

Mr Williams is set to retire tomorrow.

The married father-of-two and grandfather-of-three plans to spend his retirement caravanning around England and Europe with his wife, as well as continuing with his other pursuits.

As a parish councillor, in Great Horkesley, chairman of Colchester Harriers Athletic Club, and a welfare worker for the Retired Police Officers Association, in Colchester, Mr Williams is unlikely to find himself at a loose end.

He added: “It is hard to believe I first came into this court building in 1963. I think I’ve worn the floor out since then, with all my fidgeting and walking around.

“I have worked with many of the people at court for many years, since I was in the police, and would prosecute for traffic offences and things like that.

“I will be sad to go. But I can’t keep going. I’m getting older and it is time to leave.”

The courthouse is set to close in 2012. It will be replaced by a new £30million building, off St Botolph’s Street.