“When I was first sent to prison I felt very low and wondered how I would cope”
Reformed offender Nevada Smith is hoping to branch out into a new career following completion of his arborist course. The 36-year-old, who was sentenced to 132 months and is currently on licence, has been awarded a grant from the Hardman Trust to fund his training as he completes his rehabilitation. The Hardman Trust aims increase…
“I’ve never had experience of the justice system before so going to prison was terrifying, especially at my age but I’ve had a lot help particularly when I was so depressed”
Susan Jackson, from Leeds, was convicted of theft while working as a carer and was sentenced to three years in prison, first in HMP New Hall and then Askham Grange open prison. “I got out after 18 months and was put on detention curfew,” says Sue. While in prison Sue was put in touch with…
“I was sentenced to seven years in prison. It was probably the best thing that happened to me”
Four years ago Matthew Story*, 29, found himself in Crown Court pleading guilty to supplying class A designer drugs. Matthew said he had not been selling the drug but was looking after it for a friend but had supplied to friends at a party. The batch of drugs in Matthew’s possession was linked to two…
Bridget Smith: “I supposed I was lucky in a way. I was put on remand for six months and that’s when I got involved in the women’s group”
Bridget Smith*, 26, moved to another town when she felt she was in with a bad crowd in her home town. “I think I knew if I stayed there I would go off the rails and needed a new start,” says Bridget. “I thought I might find that new start in in a new town.…
Stacie Bell: “I was getting older and realised I had to look after my son. I’d been to jail and didn’t want to back again”
Stacie Bell, 32, an offender support team worker at the New Wortley Community Centre, near HMP Armely in Leeds helps offenders coming out of prison. Stacie helps them find stability at a time when many former prisoners are at their most vulnerable and most likely to fall back into their former offending habit. And Stacie…
Jacob Hill: ‘You are able to do something with real responsibility and help other lads’
Jacob Hill set up his business The Lazy Camper at just 18 whilst studying for a degree. However, after it ran into financial difficulties, he resorted to selling drugs at a music festival. Caught, convicted and sentenced to 28 months he was determined to use the 10 of them he served in custody as a…
Through The Gate… saving lives
People working in probation really do make a difference to service users’ lives. West Yorkshire CRC’s Through The Gate provision delivered by Matt Elvins from HMPS and Chelcey Huxley from St Giles Trust recently received the following letter from Richard Walpole, who experienced TTG first-hand. He shares his story here: Basically, Matt I have written…
Denise Tye: ‘A new and bright future has opened up to me’
Denise Tye from Castleford was placed on Community Payback after she failed to declare changes to her circumstances while continuing to accept state benefits. This means Denise had to complete a set number of unpaid work hours for a particular community project in her case the local YMCA charity shop. Community Payback projects vary from…
Peer Advisor: Kirsty – ‘I was given the tools I needed to then help myself’
My name is Kirsty; I have 3 wonderful children, a partner of 15 years, and a lovely house in a lovely area, who would have thought that this time last year I had just completed 13 weeks in an alcohol rehab. I always have drank a lot but steadily over the years the drinking got…