CFEO and Reflex partner to provide better support for young people

Faith-based charities combine forces to break the cycle of youth offending.

A recent report by prison inspectors has highlighted the persistently high reoffending rates amongst young people.  As part of the research 10 random detainees were interviewed on their release.  7 of the 10 reoffended within three months, and 3 of those were back behind bars within just one month.

This small sample reinforces the coalition Government's "Rehabilitaion Revolution" Green Paper, which states that 75% of young peoople released from prison reoffend within one year. The inspector's report found that many young people are being released from custody with inadequate support and accomodation, some had nowhere to live whatsoever. These figures came as no surprise to two leading faith-based charities working with young offenders, Caring for Ex-Offenders and Reflex.

Darren Richards, from Reflex, commented on the report: " Most young offenders we work with are trapped in an endless cycle of offending. Around 1 in 4 grow up in care and have moved around the system all their lives. Young ex-offenders must not only convince employers and landlords to give them a second chance, they must also overcome their own personal struggles and insecurities, such as low self-worth, addiction problems, past abuse and learning difficulties. We provide them with education and one-to-one support both in and out of prison."

Catherine Simmonds, from Caring for Ex-Offenders, echoes this sentiment: "Our experience of working with men and women coming out of prison has shown us that many leave without secure accomodation or support structures. With practical and emotional suport, people can live changed lives and stay out of prison. We believe that by breaking the cycle of crime, individuals, families and neighbourhoods can be transformed."

In response to these worrying statistics, Reflex and Caring for Ex-Offenders have joined forces to provide a nationwide service training and linking volunteers from local churches to young poeople leaving prison. These unpaid mentors give up their time to help these young people secure training or employment and suitable accomodation and provide much of the support they will need, including links to professional services, in order to succeed in going straight and start a new life away from crime. Working together, their vision is to one day link every young offender with a mentor who can meet them at the gate after release and be with them through the highs and lows of trying to start over. They are determined to reduce the youth re-offending rate through partnership working.

Reflex
Reflex work to break the cycle of offending and re-offending by young people aged 14-21 who are disengaged from education, disadvantaged, or serving a criminal sentence across the UK.
www.reflex.org

Media enquiries:  Catherine Simmonds 
Tel:  0207 052 0353  Email:  catherine.simmonds@caringforexoffenders.org