MY STORY / OUR MISSION

I have spent half my life in and out prison, and over the years I have come to realise, that rehabilitation is just a word that the prison system uses. It introduces another psychological programme which is marginally changed from those which came before. This allows another way for the prison to get extra cash, for each bum on the seats completing the programme. The duplication in most programmes and courses, means that in application, once you have done one course, the learning becomes limited. No matter how many new prisons the Home Secretaries build, if there is no re-form, nothing will change.

Reform needs to start by the Government investing more money into the prison system, better paid officers with better pensions, encouraging officers to make it a career, instead of a stop gap. Better training for officers, placing younger officers (under25)in YO’s too, alongside more senior officers whilst developing their life skills.

Reform needs to be worked on by current governors, and or ex-governors with a dedicated reform council made up of officers and offenders, to give a balanced view of reform that works for all. The result of this is then relayed back to the Home Secretary for a decision to be made across governments. As previously stated, reform must be agreed by all parties in order to maintain continuity and any future changes within the agreed duration must also be unanimously agreed by all involved. Adrian McCrae.