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Inside ‘n’ Out Magazine

Welcome to the second issue of the INO Magazine. We have exciting plans for the future and will keep you updated in future issues of the INO Mag.

If you haven’t heard of us yet we are a magazine set up to enhance positive communication. It showcases how individuals are achieving re-entry to community life.

The magazine covers current issues of debate within the Criminal Justice System and offers its readers links to, and information about, other charities, public services and organisations that ex-offenders may find useful.

The INO Mag is an independent platform for those on both sides of the prison wall to share experiences, with the aim to provide a better understanding between parties. The project also provides ex-offenders with volunteering

opportunities, as a first step towards the rehabilitative pathway of gaining employment. We have worked with several ex-offenders looking to get their lives back on track and continue to support them in this difficult task.

If you are interested in sharing your story, informing young people currently entering the system or just expressing your ideas for our/future, please contact us at the address at the back of the magazine.

We look forward to your experiences.

Editorial First Word

To reduce the likelihood of re-offending and cut crime, (ex) offenders need to … •Have equitable access to suitable and sustainable accommodation and housing support. •Have a Job or access to the skills which are most likely to lead to suitable and sustainable employ-ment. •Have timely access to benefits (e.g. Housing, Job Seekers Allowance) finance products (e.g. bank account, insurance), and be able to manage and stay out of debt. •Be free from problematic drug and or alcohol addiction •Have equitable access to health and social care services in particular around Mental Health •Be able to manage and maintain healthy relation-ships with their children and families •Be able to think through how to deal with diffi-

cult situations and develop positive attitudes and behaviour in order to get along with people and prevent cycles of re-offending •Recognise the harm done to victims and com-munities… …..Which requires organisations and service pro-viders to breakdown local barriers to social and economic inclusion… This magazine aspires to educate what is avail-able to (ex) offenders so they can make an in-formed choice whether or not to reoffend. All proactive ideas and opinions are welcome. Write to the address at the back of this publica-tion.

Resettlement and Rehabilitation Taken from a NOMS presentation

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In January this year the newspapers were full of stories about 'con air' the prison services plan to introduce a radio station across 140 prisons. They stated the £2m would come from existing resources and the possibility of a charity becoming involved in the project's delivery. As usual the mainstream media reaction was fuelled by misunderstanding and cheap shot headlines around lazy lags spoon fed Chris Moyles 24/7. Its not actually about that at all and only those who have experience of the criminal justice system will know the truth. The opposition spokesman talked of the government using this as a way of not dealing with the real issues which is true but what an opportunity to talk up his own former Tory colleague Jonathan Aitken, whose own report released recently, is authored by someone who actually knows what its like inside! The reason prisoners are locked away for such long periods of each day is either a lack of genuine jobs to do in prison, lack of education resources or lack of staff to facilitate these things. This all leads to prison-ers being in their cells for longer periods so why not take the opportunity to try and reach them with posi-tive content around rehabilitation, victim awareness and opportunities to get involved in projects like Ino Mag when they get released. As the founder of Ino Mag I would welcome the opportunity to create content that was broadcast inside prisons but more importantly take ex-offenders who

had worked on these projects and offer them the opportunity to choose it as a career option when back in their communities. Communities across the world use radio as the main form of community news gathering but in this country we seem addicted to television news and the local newspaper industry appears to be in full retreat due to the economic climate. Perhaps prison radio is a way of changing perceptions, providing news and also pro-vide a genuine community based opportunity to leave the cycle of criminal justice system. What is the Prison Radio Association (PRA)? The PRA is an award winning education charity that provides support, guidance and expertise to existing prison radio stations and advises prisons interested in setting up radio stations and radio training facilities. The PRA was established in response to a growing demand from prisons to engage in prison radio. The PRA is working on the development of a National Prison Radio Service, with the potential to reach every prisoner in England and Wales.

"I have chosen to lend my support to the PRA because I believe this is inno-vative broadcasting to a quite literally captive audience... the potential in all sorts of ways is enormous". Jon Snow,

Con Air John talks about Prison Radio and the PRA.

Barnardo’s have launched a Young Offenders Programme (YOP) aimed at people aged 16 to 25. Participants are offered retail training in a flexible placement in a Barnardo’s shop. Barnardo’s would like to see the YOP providing a stepping stone into employment and resettlement.

Participants will also have the oppor-tunity to work towards a Youth Achievement Award by putting to-gether evidence of four 15 hour chal-lenges. The first challenge, which can be completed in the prison environ-ment, usually looks at job search issues. The next three challenges can be tailored, to an extent, to the needs and aspirations of the individual.

Carolyn Marnoch, a Barnardo’s shop

manager, comments: “The pro-gramme has been a very positive experience for me, for the YOP vol-unteer and for my other volunteers. The YOP volunteer has gained confi-dence, skills and experience; I have gained a dedicated and hard-working volunteer. There are some very bright and talented young people in the prison system who deserve a second chance and I feel privileged to have worked with them.”

The Head of Reducing Reoffending at HMYOI Thorn Cross says: “Valuable schemes such as Barnardo’s YOP enable us to engage with the community and reintegrate individuals into a society from which many are excluded by their anti-social behaviour. Through partner-

ship working, the programme helps to improve self-esteem and fre-quently serves as a fresh impetus and hope to those who will be released back into the community.”

Barnardo’s believe in the potential of every child and young person no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. Barnardo’s will support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in them.

If you are interested, please contact Kate Davis-Holmes at Kate.davisholmes@barnardos.org.uk or Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex, IG6 1QG. Her mobile number is 07990805613.

Barnardo’s Launches YOP Kate Davis-Holmes from Barnardo’s explains what YOP stands for.

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Who are UNLOCK? UNLOCK was established as a charity in 2000 •

UNLOCK was set up by and is led by reformed offenders •

UNLOCK has over 4,000 members and 5 employees •

UNLOCK is independent •

UNLOCK does not take government funding to deliver contracted services •

UNLOCK aims to achieve equality for reformed offenders and a society in which reformed offenders are able to fulfil their positive potential through equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities. What does UNLOCK do? UNLOCK receives thousands of letters, phone calls and emails. In response we: Offer direct information, support and referrals to expert organisations •

Develop and deliver innovative projects to demonstrate how problems can be solved •

Run campaigns that seek to change discriminatory laws, policies, practices and attitudes •

Act as a channel for the voices of reformed offenders to influence policies, practices and attitudes. • What are UNLOCK’s current objectives? Improved access to bank accounts, insurance and financial capability training • Implementation of anti-discrimination laws to support equality for reformed offenders • Enabling of prisoners to vote in line with the European Court of Human Rights judgement • Establishment of a community-based alternative to prison focused on training and employment • A trusted, flexible and high quality information service • More positive public opinion of reformed offenders • Development of a strong community of reformed

offenders committed to equality •

What has UNLOCK achieved so far? Provided thousands of reformed offenders and family

members with information and support •

Developed a service offering access to insurance to peo-ple with convictions and their families •

Highlighted prisoners’ need to open bank accounts and

convinced Halifax to run a pilot project •

Set up bank account opening projects in 5 prisons, in partnership with Halifax and Barclays •

Developed financial capability training specifically for

former offenders called ‘UFC’ •

Trained 130 staff and peer supporters in 33 prisons and 8 community-based charities to deliver UFC •

UNLOCK has contributed to many TV and radio pro-grammes, as well as stories in the printed media

include the • BBC, Sky, Channel 5, The Times, The Guardian and

the Independent

Established the UNLOCK Forum, an internet-based com-munity solely for people with previous

conviction share • experiences, highlight issues, ask questions, support each other and work towards

equality If you have any experiences of UNLOCK we would be interested in sharing them with you. Please send them to the address at the back of the magazine.

UNLOCK The National Association of Reformed Offenders

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Useful Addresses Apex Trust HQ 7th Floor, No3 London Wall Build-ings, London Wall. London. EC2M 5PD. 020 7638 5931 Job-check@apextrust.com Leicester Branch Apex House 74-76 Charles St, Leicester. LE1 1FB Tel: 0116 261 6510 Clinks 25 Micklegate, York. YO1 6JH 01904 673970 www.clinks.org Futures Unlocked 9 Newarke Street, Leicester. LE1 5SN. 0116 2553742 admin@futuresunlocked.org Gay Rights in Prison 48 Princess Terrace Brighton BN2 5JS Koestler Arts Centre 168a Du Cane Rd, London. W12 OTX. 020 87400333. info@koestlertrust.org.uk Leicestershire Cares 42 Tower St, Leicester. LE1 6WT. 0116 2756490. info@leicestershirecares.co.uk

Our Contact Details

Inside ‘n’ Out Magazine Community Media Hub Learning & Information Library Bishop Street Leicester LE1 6AA Tel: 0116 299 5413

Editors - John Coster and Mark Clark Email - editor@inomag.org Web - www.inomag.org

Nacro Park Place, 10-12 Lawn Lane, London. SW8 1UD. 020 78407200 www..nacro.org.uk. Prison Radio Association PO Box 54677, London. N16 7US. www.prisonradioassociation.org. Prison Reform Trust 15 Northburgh St, London. EC1V 0JR 020 72515070. www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk. Shannon Trust (Toe by Toe) 38 Edbury St, London. SW1W 0LU. 020 77304917. enquiries@shannontrust.org.uk Smart Justice Same contact details as the Prison Re-form Trust Prisons Education Trust Wandle House, Riverside Drive, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4BU. 02086487760. info@prisonseducation.org.uk Unlock 35a High Street, Snodland. Kent ME6 5AG. 01634 247350. enquiries@unlock.org.uk Youth Justice Board 11 Carteret St, London. SW1H 9DL. 020 72713033 enquiries@yjb.gov.uk.