Ino Mag 7 (Staff Version)

Newsletter Date: 31st March 2011 Volume 1, Issue 7

MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY

INSIDE ‘N’ OUT MAGAZINEINSIDE ‘N’ OUT MAGAZINEINSIDE ‘N’ OUT MAGAZINEINSIDE ‘N’ OUT MAGAZINE

T revor Munroe’s story is an inspiring one. He has

turned his back on a life of drugs and crime and

is now heading up a series of workshops for sup-

port service, Beyond Prison, to help others do the

same.

Publication DatesPublication DatesPublication DatesPublication Dates Issue 8 May 23rdIssue 8 May 23rdIssue 8 May 23rdIssue 8 May 23rd

Deadline for articles/adverts

16th May

Issue 9 July 25thIssue 9 July 25thIssue 9 July 25thIssue 9 July 25th


18th July

Issue 10 October 24thIssue 10 October 24thIssue 10 October 24thIssue 10 October 24th


October 17th

Issue11 December 23rdIssue11 December 23rdIssue11 December 23rdIssue11 December 23rd


December 16th

In This IssueIn This IssueIn This IssueIn This Issue Page 3 Page 3 Page 3 Page 3

Introducing the inclusion webIntroducing the inclusion webIntroducing the inclusion webIntroducing the inclusion web

Page 4 Page 4 Page 4 Page 4

Ministry of Justice report on juvenile Ministry of Justice report on juvenile Ministry of Justice report on juvenile Ministry of Justice report on juvenile rererere----offending ratesoffending ratesoffending ratesoffending rates

Page 4Page 4Page 4Page 4

SHARP SHARP SHARP SHARP ---- providing a link in the support providing a link in the support providing a link in the support providing a link in the support chainchainchainchain


Art by prisoners goes on display Art by prisoners goes on display Art by prisoners goes on display Art by prisoners goes on display ---- Koestler TrustKoestler TrustKoestler TrustKoestler Trust

Page 6 Page 6 Page 6 Page 6 ---- 7777

St Giles Trust St Giles Trust St Giles Trust St Giles Trust ---- Breaking the cycle of Breaking the cycle of Breaking the cycle of Breaking the cycle of offending offending offending offending


Aberdeen Youth Justice Strategy Aberdeen Youth Justice Strategy Aberdeen Youth Justice Strategy Aberdeen Youth Justice Strategy


West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy: West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy: West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy: West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy:

“The Inside Story”“The Inside Story”“The Inside Story”“The Inside Story”

0 Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 ---- 11111111

U Turn U Turn U Turn U Turn ————Trevor MunroeTrevor MunroeTrevor MunroeTrevor Munroe

Page 12 Page 12 Page 12 Page 12 ---- 13131313

Mustard Tree Mustard Tree Mustard Tree Mustard Tree ---- The freedom projectThe freedom projectThe freedom projectThe freedom project

2

The TeamThe TeamThe TeamThe Team

EditorEditorEditorEditor

Mark Clark

Proof ReaderProof ReaderProof ReaderProof Reader

Cleo Jones

Marketing/Marketing/Marketing/Marketing/DistributionDistributionDistributionDistribution

Tomorrowtogether

Sponsored bySponsored bySponsored bySponsored by

Zinthiya Trust

Leicester City Libraries

Editorial First WordEditorial First WordEditorial First WordEditorial First Word

W elcome to the seventh issue of

the Inside ’n’ Out

Magazine. Not only have

we gone to a bi-monthly

magazine, we are now

getting bigger and

better.

As of issue 8 we are

going to be available

printed and have 16

pages. This will allow for

more content or more

adverts about services

for you and service

users.

The magazine can be

viewed at http://

issuu.com/inomag,

http://

www.inomagnewsagenc

y.blogspot.com/

http://

www.facebook.com/

home.php#!/pages/Ino-

Mag/144839775573468

?v=wall

http://twitter.com/#!/

InoMaguk

http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=SRHtuiy0bps

or just by contacting me

via email requesting to

be added to the mailing

list.

We are currently looking

for articles from Criminal

Justice staff about their

positive contributions to

reducing re-offending

and turning the lives of

service users/ex service

users

We are also loo - king

for feedback on the

layout, content and

availability of the

magazine. What would

you like to see in the

Inside ‘n’ Out Magazine?

Send your articles,

feedback or letters to the

address at the back of

the magazine.

Mark

Find Us At:Find Us At:Find Us At:Find Us At: Blog Account: http://bit.ly/ftGLHDBlog Account: http://bit.ly/ftGLHDBlog Account: http://bit.ly/ftGLHDBlog Account: http://bit.ly/ftGLHD

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3

M any people in our society find themselves at risk of exclusion. Through offending, mental illness, disability,

ageing or adversity, positive roles and relationships can be stripped away, leaving the person with little more than the identity of a ‘ex-offender’ or ‘service user’. Promoting inclusive lifestyles is all about helping people recover their place in the community beyond services.

Over the past ten years, the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi is a non-profit voluntary sector organisation) has been inventing and testing resources that combat exclusion and promote inclusion. We have created a range of training materials and embedded them in policy documents, reflected on cultural change and thought about what constitutes good practice. One of these tools is a way to measure social inclusion – the Inclusion Web.

Our goal was to create a person-centred evaluation tool that people told us was fun and helpful to use, that also delivered robust data to purchasers and commissioners. On its own, the Inclusion Web cannot create inclusive lives (you need the Social Inclusion Training Pack for that), but it can help agencies and the people they support find out whether their efforts are successful.

The core idea is very simple. We have listed the eight main places where positive roles and relationships are formed in the community, and used them to divide a circle up into eight

segments, or ‘life domains’. We have provided space for people to record the places they go in a separate circle from the people they meet. Putting this together forms a diagram like a dartboard with sixteen cells.

During training, people learn how to conduct a thoughtful interview in which the person they are supporting has a chance to reflect on the range of places they occupy and people they relate to, and record these on the chart. This is summarised as a simple score on a spreadsheet. After some time and effort, through which we hope there will be some changes, the chart is completed a second time. Once ten or more people have undergone this process, there is enough data to run the statistics. The spreadsheet automatically calculates whether the changes are attributable to chance, or whether there has been a real change in the group’s scores.

The Inclusion Web is being used across the country to evaluate a range of different services, including those for people with learning disabilities who move out of residential care into more independent settings, people with mental health issues, prisoners planning their life after release and older people who want to retain their connections.

The NDTi offers training events that show people to how use the Inclusion Web and has published the Inclusion Web Resource Pack that will help many more organisations to utilise the approach.

[email protected] for more information.

Introducing the Inclusion Web as a person-centred outcomes measure. Peter Bates

4

SSSS HARP exists to give families and friends HARP exists to give families and friends HARP exists to give families and friends HARP exists to give families and friends of prisoners an immediate point of of prisoners an immediate point of of prisoners an immediate point of of prisoners an immediate point of contact for support and advice. The contact for support and advice. The contact for support and advice. The contact for support and advice. The service is free and it also offers support service is free and it also offers support service is free and it also offers support service is free and it also offers support

to those awaiting sentencing.to those awaiting sentencing.to those awaiting sentencing.to those awaiting sentencing.

In the run up to Court appearance, sentencing and the initial stages of imprisonment, families are particularly anxious and concerned. They need to know they are not alone and have access to effective support, direction and information. SHARP has developed a Family Impact Statement which may be completed by family or friends and passed to the court, prior to sentencing.

Once sentenced, the daily routine and welfare of prisoners are managed through the Prison System.

SHARP is here to provide a link in the support chain, for the family, into the Courts and Prisons system; and you are encouraged to keep in touch with SHARP through our permanent and volunteer staff. The contact telephone number is 01743 24536501743 24536501743 24536501743 245365 and the e-mail address is: iiiinnnnffffoooo@@@@sssshhhhaaaarrrrpppp----uuuukkkk....oooorrrrgggg

SHARP has details of other supporting organisations, we are able to provide information on a range of issues, and visit prisons in order to enable communication and ease some everyday problems.

SHARP ~ Help Line. The Help Line (01743 01743 01743 01743 245365245365245365245365) is located in the Shrewsbury office and is manned by the Chief Executive (CEO), the

Senior Family Support Worker (SFSW) and the Family Support Worker (FSW) ~ who also visit prisons, attend court, meetings, training and other events. There is an answer phone service to cover out of normal office hours and those periods where members

of staff are out of office, or already dealing with a telephone call.

Shrewsbury Court. SHARP provides a help desk service at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Prison Visits. SHARP currently visits several prisons in the West Midlands area. The experienced Family Support Workers play a key and proactive role, working inside and outside of the Prison system, providing confidential support and appropriate information whilst enabling communication with prisoners, families and other agencies.

Support Help And Advice For RelativesSupport Help And Advice For RelativesSupport Help And Advice For RelativesSupport Help And Advice For Relatives And Friends Of Prisoners (SHARP) And Friends Of Prisoners (SHARP) And Friends Of Prisoners (SHARP) And Friends Of Prisoners (SHARP) Visit us at www.sharp-uk.org

T he re-offending frequency rate fell 27.0 per cent from 151.4 to 110.5 offences per 100 offenders ; but the

number of offences classified as the most serious per 100 offenders rose 4.9 per cent from 0.91 to 0.96 serious offences

The proportion of offenders who re-offended decreased by 3.3 percentage points from 40.2 per

cent to 36.9 per cent

The frequency rate fell from 113.9 to 110.5 offences per 100 offenders (a fall of 3.0 per cent). The severity rate rose by 13.3 per cent, although care is needed in interpreting year on year changes in the severity measure due to the small number of offences.

The total number of offenders

increased from 41,176 in the 2000 cohort to 52,544 in the 2007 cohort, and has since fallen to 37,472 offenders in the 2009 cohort. This represents an overall fall of around 3,700 offenders since 2000 – a 9.0 per cent decrease.

The full report can be found here: http://bit.ly/frUw5l

Ministry of Justice Report on Juvenile Re-Offending Stats

“SHARP is here to provide a “SHARP is here to provide a “SHARP is here to provide a “SHARP is here to provide a link in the support chain, link in the support chain, link in the support chain, link in the support chain, for the family, into the for the family, into the for the family, into the for the family, into the Courts and Prisons system”Courts and Prisons system”Courts and Prisons system”Courts and Prisons system”

5

A rtwork created by prisoners and patients in secure hospitals is on

display in Liverpool. The exhibition, Art by Offenders and Secure Patients, is the city's first to show and sell artwork from people held in secure units and on probation in the North West. Paintings, sculpture, creative writing and music are exhibited in the Contemporary Urban Centre. Work was selected from entries to the 2010 Koestler Awards charitable scheme. 'Come to terms'

Chief Executive of the Koestler Trust Tim Robertson told BBC Radio Merseyside the scheme encouraged offenders to communicate through art. "To do well in the arts you have to be disciplined. Offenders are people who have failed to take account of the effect of their actions on other people at some point. "You have to think if you are creating something artistically, what are you communicating? What effect is that going to have on other people? "You have to communicate. You have to come to terms with your

own feelings and you have to shape something that is positive. "We have judges who give feedback and encourage them to take part and do the best they can in the arts." Young people from HM Young Offenders Institution Thorn Cross, near Warrington, have also been invited to write short poems in response to art works in the exhibition.

Art for sale

Their responses will be displayed alongside the artwork.

The exhibition in Liverpool includes artwork for sale, with half

of the profits going to the artists. "I think that is a good and sensible way of encouraging positive skills. Twenty five per cent comes to us, 25% goes to victim support charity," said Mr

Robertson. The Koestler Awards, founded in 1962 by writer Arthur Koestler after his experiences as a political prisoner, gave him an insight into the relationship between imprisonment and creativity.

Art by prisoners goes on display in Liverpool Koestler Trust

“the scheme encouraged “the scheme encouraged “the scheme encouraged “the scheme encouraged offenders to communicate offenders to communicate offenders to communicate offenders to communicate through art.”through art.”through art.”through art.”

6

St Giles TrustSt Giles TrustSt Giles TrustSt Giles Trust Breaking the cycle of offendingBreaking the cycle of offendingBreaking the cycle of offendingBreaking the cycle of offending

SSSS t Giles Trust’s aim is to create safer t Giles Trust’s aim is to create safer t Giles Trust’s aim is to create safer t Giles Trust’s aim is to create safer

communities by turning lives around communities by turning lives around communities by turning lives around communities by turning lives around

and preventing the children of and preventing the children of and preventing the children of and preventing the children of

offenders from becoming the next offenders from becoming the next offenders from becoming the next offenders from becoming the next

generation involved in the criminal justice system. generation involved in the criminal justice system. generation involved in the criminal justice system. generation involved in the criminal justice system.

The people we support often have multiple The people we support often have multiple The people we support often have multiple The people we support often have multiple

problems such as homelessness, poverty, problems such as homelessness, poverty, problems such as homelessness, poverty, problems such as homelessness, poverty,

unemployment, mental or physical health unemployment, mental or physical health unemployment, mental or physical health unemployment, mental or physical health

problems, poor basic skills and addiction. problems, poor basic skills and addiction. problems, poor basic skills and addiction. problems, poor basic skills and addiction.

We find that people experiencing these issues

frequently become caught up in the criminal

justice system and our

work has evolved to help

offenders resettle and

rebuild their lives. The

cornerstone of our work

puts our clients at the

centre of the solution

through believing they

have the power to change,

given the right support.

We offer practical

assistance around housing, training and help

entering the workforce – all factors that reduce

the likelihood of someone re-offending.

Our work starts inside prisons where we run the

Peer Advice project. The Peer Advice project aims

to meet the large demand for advice services

amongst the prison population by using an under-

used resource - serving prisoners themselves -

and trains them to NVQ Level 3 in Information,

Advice and Guidance. This enables prisoners to

become trained professionals who provide support

to fellow prisoners - their peers – hence Peer

Advisor.

The NVQ provides valuable practical experience as

part of the vocational element of the course and

is an excellent way of improving the skills of

serving prisoners, preparing them for employment

upon release. In turn, the advice given by Peer

Advisors is a uniquely credible and trusted source

of support to inmates since Peer Advisors are

themselves serving prisoners. We were the first

charity to train prisoners to become qualified

caseworkers in prisons.

Running alongside our peer-based support is a

housing casework service provided under the

Housing Information and Advice

Service (HIAS) partnership. It

offers advice on housing-related

issues to both newly sentenced

prisoners and those about to be

released. The service supports

the re-housing and resettlement

of prisoners to minimise the risk

of re-offending on release. Also,

in 2010, we launched the very

first free phone advice line run by

serving females for serving female prisoners at

HMP Send. We ultimately aim for the advice line

to be available to every female prisoner in the UK.

Although release from prison is obviously a good

thing, many people struggle with issues such as

finding somewhere to live, getting benefits or

finding a job. Furthermore, issues such as drug

and alcohol problems, or physical and mental

health issues often complicate matters.

To combat this, St Giles Trust provides practical,

intensive support services for prison leavers

around accommodation, re-establishing lapsed

support links, accessing services such as detox

and support at statutory appointments such as

7

Probation. Our caseworkers

provide intensive support

across a broad range of areas.

In particular we run a number of

projects including, Meet at the

Gates for prison-leavers

returning to London; a

specialist support for women

addressing the issues faced by

women in custody (the WIRE

project); Inside Out, which

support resettlement of

prisoners from HMP Brixton to

Southwark in London; our award

winning Kent and Tower

Hamlets CAFÉ projects that

provide intensive support to the

families of individuals involved

in the criminal justice system;

and the PIANO project, which

works alongside London

Probation to address specific

education, training and

employment needs to offenders

in South London.

In 2009, following an

independent evaluation of our

resettlement work (which

reduces re-offending by an

additional 40% off the national

average and delivers the

taxpayer a £10 saving for every

£1 invested in reduced criminal

justice costs) we were the first

recipient of a Social Impact

Bond. This new funding model

will provide private investors a

return if St Giles reduces re-

offending among prison-leavers

from HMP Peterborough over a

12

month period and is known as

the One Service.

St Giles Trust also provides

assistance to young offenders

and young people at risk of

offending to re-engage with

society and enter employment.

Keep it Moving (for young

women aged 15-19), the

Real Employment

Project (for young men

aged 18-19) and the

Daedalus project (for

young offenders returning

to Southwark from YOI

Feltham) all offer one-to -one

support to troubled youths.

Likewise, our ground-breaking,

award-winning Southwark

Offender Service (SOS project)

provides tailored and intensive

mentoring to youths caught up

in gangs to help identify and

realise alternative aspirations

away from gang life.

The final, major sector of our

work is community-based Skills

and Employment support. We

provide a comprehensive

package of services to help ex-

offenders and disadvantaged

people improve their skills and

increase their chances of

getting a job. Whether it is

building basic skills or

improving existing ones, we

provide a range of courses to

help people improve their

prospects and broaden their

horizons. Our training is

offered in a friendly, inclusive

environment and is specifically

aimed at people who may lack

the confidence to enrol at a

mainstream college.

Over the last few years, St Giles

Trust’s work has gained

recognition and accolades,

including two Charity Award

wins, two Butler Trust wins, two

Justice Awards, Third Sector

magazine’s Most Innovative

Charity 2010 and inclusion in

the Sunday Times Best 100

Companies to Work For in both

2009 and 2010.

For additional information on For additional information on For additional information on For additional information on

any of these projects please any of these projects please any of these projects please any of these projects please

visit visit visit visit www.stgilestrust.org.ukwww.stgilestrust.org.ukwww.stgilestrust.org.ukwww.stgilestrust.org.uk or or or or

email email email email [email protected]@[email protected]@stgilestrust.org.uk

“our ground“our ground“our ground“our ground----breaking, breaking, breaking, breaking, awardawardawardaward----winning Southwark winning Southwark winning Southwark winning Southwark Offender Service (SOS pro-Offender Service (SOS pro-Offender Service (SOS pro-Offender Service (SOS pro-ject) “ject) “ject) “ject) “

8

T he Young People Who Offend project has been working to develop and

introduce a new practice framework that identifies and diverts under 18s

whose offending or risk taking behaviour can be more effectively managed outside of the criminal

justice system.

This new practice framework is to be launched in the New Year. Local authorities will be issued with a toolkit

to support an increase in the use of community diversion programmes as an alternative to prosecution.

Diversion schemes are being piloted in Aberdeen and Ayrshire, and early results are extremely encouraging.

Over a five month period, Aberdeen Youth Justice

Diversion Programme diverted 117 young people from prosecution. This compares with just

three cases over the same period in 2009. The Aberdeen diversion

scheme involves social work and Sacro, with young people being

diverted to the different services depending on an assessment of need.

Ayrshire commenced its diversion scheme in September. It is social work led with the support of Sacro. Within

in the first month, 11 young people from Ayrshire were referred; and 10 of these cases were assessed as

suitable.

Changing systems Inspector Lyn Ross, programme manager, Aberdeen

Youth Justice Development Programme comments: "We are working closely with all partners to review and re-design the way services are planned and delivered for

young people who offend.

"The initial phase of the programme focussed on early and effective intervention, including diversion from

prosecution for under 18 year olds. This work

has seen a significant increase in the numbers

of young people receiving a more appropriate early intervention and

fewer young people appearing in court. Where prosecution is in the public interest we are seeing cases

dealt with quickly though the courts.

"Changing systems has helped us to improve the way we use the services available in Aberdeen to support more

young people. By creating capacity we are ensuring that young people get the right support from the right person

at the right time." "What makes this approach unique is that it spans all

services and brings together all partners to improve outcomes for children, young people and families

affected by youth crime. There is nothing we are developing and delivering in Aberdeen that cannot be

replicated elsewhere in Scotland if there is a willingness to work together, share resources and remove

organisational boundaries.

"The benefits of working in this way, through reducing bureaucracy and

freeing up staff time, are

already being realised in

Aberdeen. This approach, adopted across Scotland and across all

age groups, has the potential to greatly contribute towards reducing re-offending."

Dumfries and Galloway have had a social work based

diversion scheme in place for a number of years which has increased the number of diversion cases by diverting

over 600 young people. Recent increases have also been

Aberdeen Youth Justice Strategy

“Over a five month period, Aber-Over a five month period, Aber-Over a five month period, Aber-Over a five month period, Aber-deen Youth Justice Diversion deen Youth Justice Diversion deen Youth Justice Diversion deen Youth Justice Diversion Programme diverted 117 young Programme diverted 117 young Programme diverted 117 young Programme diverted 117 young people from prosecution.”people from prosecution.”people from prosecution.”people from prosecution.”

9

WWWW est Yorkshire est Yorkshire est Yorkshire est Yorkshire Community Community Community Community Chaplaincy Project Chaplaincy Project Chaplaincy Project Chaplaincy Project supports exsupports exsupports exsupports ex----

offenders along the path from HMP offenders along the path from HMP offenders along the path from HMP offenders along the path from HMP Leeds to a new, crimeLeeds to a new, crimeLeeds to a new, crimeLeeds to a new, crime----free life in the free life in the free life in the free life in the community, and seeking to increase community, and seeking to increase community, and seeking to increase community, and seeking to increase understanding of matters of understanding of matters of understanding of matters of understanding of matters of ‘restorative justice’ amongst people ‘restorative justice’ amongst people ‘restorative justice’ amongst people ‘restorative justice’ amongst people of faith across West Yorkshire.of faith across West Yorkshire.of faith across West Yorkshire.of faith across West Yorkshire.

With the combined efforts and expertise of four full-time and three part-time staff, plus a small army of trained and dedicated volunteers, WYCCP is able to walk alongside prison-leavers, offering them encouragement and guidance ‘through the gate’ as they embark on the maze of challenges and questions that await them on the outside…How can I find somewhere to live? What benefits can I claim? Where can I get help to escape my addictions? Who would employ someone like me? Why would anyone give me a second chance?...

WYCCP staff, volunteers, service users and partner support agencies recently celebrated the project’s fifth anniversary with a morning of story-telling and discussion.

The morning’s highlight was hearing from three of WYCCP’s volunteer

‘link workers’ and three of our indomitable service users stood up to the microphone to tell us of the journeys that had brought them to this point. Each spoke powerfully of obstacles overcome, prejudices refuted and challenges embraced, and were told with courage, feeling, and often with shaking hands.

For the sharp-eyed, a real sense of the project ‘coming of age’ was to be found in the fact that our group of three volunteers plus three service-users totalled only five! One of those speaking had approached WYCCP staff for support whilst still serving his sentence. Through determination and positive engagement with the project, D has transformed the direction of his life and has been the first, we hope of many, to progress into becoming an active volunteer ‘link worker’ with invaluable passion and insight into the experiences of those prison-leavers WYCCP seeks to support.

Here are extracts from the story of another service user’s speaking at the event:

“I used to be a drug addict. The longest time I spent out of prison was 4 weeks as I used to use between £200-£300 of heroin and amphetamine a day. The cocktail of drugs and medication I was taking led to me suffering from black outs and very bad mental health problems. I use to hear voices and

hallucinate; sometimes I would even attack other people for no reason due to my state of mind.

It was the scariest time of my life and that was when I realised I needed to get some help. At the time a police spokesperson told the local press I was responsible for 10% of burglaries in East Yorkshire, and my first step was to tell the police about some of my crimes. My second step was getting help to lead a drug free life. I received 100% support from [WYCCP]. I have now been out of prison for 14 months and for the first time since I was 15 years of age I am not on probation or any form of licence.

If you would like any further information about WYCCP please go to www.wyccp.org.uk or contact the office: [email protected], 0113 3874580, WYCCP c/o HMP Leeds,

West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy: West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy: West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy: West Yorkshire Community Chaplaincy: “The Inside Story”“The Inside Story”“The Inside Story”“The Inside Story”

attributed due to changes in police practice by reports to the Procurator Fiscal highlighting specific cases, which

may be suitable for diversion.

The Dumfries and Galloway scheme have been awarded funding to carry out a robust evaluation of their diversion scheme; the results of which will be shared in this month.

“I used to be a drug addict. “I used to be a drug addict. “I used to be a drug addict. “I used to be a drug addict. The longest time I spent out The longest time I spent out The longest time I spent out The longest time I spent out of prison was 4 weeks “of prison was 4 weeks “of prison was 4 weeks “of prison was 4 weeks “

10

T revor Munroe’s story is an inspiring

one. He has turned his back on a life of

drugs and crime and is now heading

up a series of workshops for support

service, Beyond Prison, to help others

do the same.

Brought up in South London, Trevor was involved in

crime by the age of nine, taking drugs at thirteen and

addicted to crack and heroin by the age of 25. He has

spent 15 years of his life in and out of prison and has

around 45 convictions. It has been a difficult pattern to

break.

The turning point came during his last stretch in prison

in 2008:

“My situation

with drugs was

out of control. I

had been addicted to crack and heroin for

years and I was beginning to see the

consequences of long term addiction first hand. It was

very, very scary. Good friends of mine were dying, not

waking up, overdosing. It was a frightening place to be

emotionally and I wanted out. I felt suicidal and

depressed but I could see that if I wanted to continue

living I had no choice but to make some changes. I had

to deal with my drug problem.

“My drugs worker at the time was very enthusiastic

about my getting off drugs and he believed in me. He

continued to support me when I came out of prison and

I was lucky that he had offices near where I was

living in Wandsworth. I think it made a difference that

it was so easy for me to see him.

“Eventually he persuaded me to detox at a residential

drugs treatment centre in Croydon where I stayed for

six weeks. After that I had three months at a drugs

rehabilitation

day care centre

and then I

moved onto

regular

meetings with

Narcotics

Anonymous and

other support

groups. I

completed every programme and treatment available

and I still attend these meetings although the difference

is that now I am often leading them.

“It took a huge amount of commitment and a great

deal of support to get clean and, of course, getting

off drugs meant saying goodbye to my old life -

including all my friends and colleagues.

It was someone Trevor met in his new post-drugs life

that helped him move onto the next stage of his life –

finding a job.

‘’I

met someone at a support group who was volunteering

for an organisation called Southside Partnership which

runs a project called Beyond Prison. He told me that

this was an organisation that looked after people like

me and he gave me their number.

“I carried the number around for quite some time before

I called. I had never worked a single day in my entire

life and I was pretty feared up at the thought. I didn’t

know what to expect but eventually I called and got an

interview.

U Turn: Trevor MunroeU Turn: Trevor MunroeU Turn: Trevor MunroeU Turn: Trevor Munroe Regular feature for ex service users who have turned their lives around.

“Trevor was involved in “Trevor was involved in “Trevor was involved in “Trevor was involved in crime by the age of nine”crime by the age of nine”crime by the age of nine”crime by the age of nine”

11

Beyond Prison is a scheme which works across London

helping people as they move from prison back into the

community. It’s an organisation which understands

how difficult it is for people when they come out of

prison and it uses volunteers with direct experience of

prison life to mentor newly released ex-offenders.

Beyond Prison runs a number of different services

ranging from meeting people at the prison gates and

helping them through their first few hours and days, to

on-going support with housing, health care and

employment. It is unusual in its

commitment to offering ex-

offenders volunteering roles, and

in many cases, paid

employment.

Overcoming his initial fears, Trevor met

up with the Beyond Prison team and began by

volunteering as a peer mentor.

“I spent over a year visiting people in prison and

talking to them about how to move their lives forward.

Many people in prison suffer with mental health issues

and they are often too afraid to talk about if for fear of

showing weakness. No one wants to appear weak

inside.

“Because I had actually been in the same place

mentally as many of the people I was talking to I found

I could make a connection. This is something

interesting I have discovered about myself – I can

connect with people and help them open up.

In the last 12 months Beyond Prison has undertaken a

radical project to engage people with mental health

problems in prison – particularly those from black,

minority and ethnic backgrounds. It worked with

radical stand-up comedian, John Ryan, to create a DVD

called “Bringing the Outside In”. In the DVD John

Ryan visits prisons, talks to inmates and performs a

comedy set which focuses on the usually taboo subjects

of mental health and race.

Now Trevor is taking the lead on this project by setting

up and running workshops in prisons all over the

country. The workshops will show the “Bringing the

Outside In” DVD to small groups of inmates and then

Trevor will manage a group discussion about the points

raised in the film. He intends to use his own personal

experience as a way to encourage the group to share

their thoughts. And for the first time Trevor won’t just

be volunteering his

time. For this project he

will be paid for every

workshop he organises

and manages.

“Laughing on the Inside is a really bold approach to

getting people to talk about mental health issues,”

explains Trevor. “It’s funny and that relaxes people

which helps start the discussion. But we won’t just be

talking about the film. That’s just an opener.

“I know that when I get in front of people who are in

the position now that I was in a few years ago I can

help. I can get them to think about their situation and

how they might get out of it. Once they’ve heard how

bad things were for me I hope at least some of them

will believe that anything is possible.”

By Paula Scott, Lime Green Communications

IIIIf you are interested in having one of f you are interested in having one of f you are interested in having one of f you are interested in having one of

Trevor Munroe’s “Bringing the Outside In” Trevor Munroe’s “Bringing the Outside In” Trevor Munroe’s “Bringing the Outside In” Trevor Munroe’s “Bringing the Outside In”

mental health workshops in your prison you can mental health workshops in your prison you can mental health workshops in your prison you can mental health workshops in your prison you can

contact Trevor on contact Trevor on contact Trevor on contact Trevor on

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

“It took a huge amount of “It took a huge amount of “It took a huge amount of “It took a huge amount of commitment and a great deal of commitment and a great deal of commitment and a great deal of commitment and a great deal of support to get clean” support to get clean” support to get clean” support to get clean”

12

Mustard Tree - The Freedom Project

T he Mustard Tree started in 1993 as one man

taking soup and sandwiches to the

homeless on Manchester’s streets. In 1994

it became a charity and since

then has grown and diversified into

providing clothes, household items,

emergency food parcels and furniture

to individuals and families in need.

Soup runs still take place twice a week and

Mustard Tree also runs creative courses in

Art, IT, sewing, ESOL, cooking and

photography.

The Mustard Tree is a Manchester-based charity whose

mission statement is: "To improve and rebuild the lives

of the poor and marginalised in Manchester." We

currently have over 9000 registered clients and

registers approximately 150 new clients from poor or

marginalised backgrounds each month.

Freedom Project

The Mustard Tree currently offers many opportunities

for volunteering. Part of this provision has evolved into

the Freedom Project, a 16-week work experience,

training and life skills course. Participants include the

homeless, those with alcohol/substance abuse

problems, people with mental health issues, ex-

offenders, and the long-term unemployed. The vast

majority are referred to us from other agencies,

including: Addaction, ADS,

The Booth Centre,

Breakthrough, Turning

Point, A4e, Job Centre

Plus and a number of

hostels and supported housing schemes around

Greater Manchester.

Participants on the Freedom Project help with the

collection and delivery of furniture, moving and

repairing items of furniture, and other warehousing

tasks. The flexible working environment allows for

those who struggle with transitioning from joblessness

back into working routines.

After graduating from the project volunteers are

encouraged to progress onto further training,

education, volunteering or work through our third

sector and business partnerships. A number of

participants continue as Dignity Project volunteers,

involved in running the warehouse and serving our

clients directly. In January 2011 we are launching a

Social Enterprise, based on the success of our furniture

removal service and warehousing.

A key strength of this project is the mentoring. Every

participant is paired with a mentor, who spends an

hour with them each week, supporting and

encouraging them to achieve any goals they have set

themselves. With the mentors’ input, volunteers have

begun to take huge leaps forward and, in some

instances, even take the first steps on completely new

"To improve and rebuild the To improve and rebuild the To improve and rebuild the To improve and rebuild the lives of the poor and lives of the poor and lives of the poor and lives of the poor and marginalised in Manchester." marginalised in Manchester." marginalised in Manchester." marginalised in Manchester."

13

ADHD: intervention to break the link with ADHD: intervention to break the link with ADHD: intervention to break the link with ADHD: intervention to break the link with

offending behaviouroffending behaviouroffending behaviouroffending behaviour

12th May 2011, National Ice Centre 12th May 2011, National Ice Centre 12th May 2011, National Ice Centre 12th May 2011, National Ice Centre NottinghamNottinghamNottinghamNottingham

A significant proportion of young offenders and adult offenders have ADHD and other disorders. This learning and good practice day provides an opportunity to hear a review of research on ADHD and offending behaviour, and hear from a number of interventions which work with young people with ADHD who are at risk of, or al-ready involved with criminal activity. These initiatives include working with parents and schools, and within

the criminal justice system.

To book a place go to www.ccclimited.org.uk or ring

Central Conference Consultants Ltd on 0115 Central Conference Consultants Ltd on 0115 Central Conference Consultants Ltd on 0115 Central Conference Consultants Ltd on 0115 916 3104916 3104916 3104916 3104

to request a programme and booking form.

Cost £165 + VAT/ £140 +VAT

Criminology in the Millennium ConferenceCriminology in the Millennium ConferenceCriminology in the Millennium ConferenceCriminology in the Millennium Conference

Monday 23rd of May 2011Monday 23rd of May 2011Monday 23rd of May 2011Monday 23rd of May 2011 Who is the conference for?Who is the conference for?Who is the conference for?Who is the conference for? … anyone with an interest in the issues being discussed.

St Albans Centre, Baldwin Gdns,St Albans Centre, Baldwin Gdns,St Albans Centre, Baldwin Gdns,St Albans Centre, Baldwin Gdns, Holborn, London EC1Holborn, London EC1Holborn, London EC1Holborn, London EC1 09.30 a.m09.30 a.m09.30 a.m09.30 a.m–––– 5 p.m5 p.m5 p.m5 p.m

Conference Fees £100

Concessionary Rate £90 (Statutory or Charities)

Contact Ruth ChigwadaContact Ruth ChigwadaContact Ruth ChigwadaContact Ruth Chigwada————Bailey BSc. Msc. Bailey BSc. Msc. Bailey BSc. Msc. Bailey BSc. Msc. Dip.CrimDip.CrimDip.CrimDip.Crim

16 Langland Crescent, Stanmore, Middx. HA7 1NG

[email protected] For a booking form.

career paths.

The Freedom Project

encompasses a number

of workshops: from CV

writing and interview

techniques to

interpersonal skills and conflict

resolution. Once a month participants have a fun

teambuilding day out, incorporating activities such as

climbing, hiking and paintballing. This has been

invaluable in demonstrating to the participants that

they are valued as part of the Mustard Tree community

and in building relationships amongst staff, mentors

and volunteers in a relaxed setting.

Volunteers on the programme report that their

confidence has improved and, generally speaking, they

are able to maintain more stable lives. Most of those

who have been involved in drug or alcohol

abuse have been able to remain free from

them. There is a strong sense of

teamwork and camaraderie amongst

those who volunteer on the Freedom

Project, and this appears to be a source of great

strength to those who are battling addictions and other

adverse life circumstances.

““““With the mentors’ input, With the mentors’ input, With the mentors’ input, With the mentors’ input, volunteers have begun to take volunteers have begun to take volunteers have begun to take volunteers have begun to take huge leaps forward”huge leaps forward”huge leaps forward”huge leaps forward”

14

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Ino Mag 7 (Staff Version)

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Transcript of Ino Mag 7 (Staff Version)