The Crisis in our Prison estate by somone who has earned the ' T ' Shirt!

I commend this article and its associated blog to all who are interested in prison reform!

I Rant Therefore I Am : What Am I Doing?: ( If you wish to hear a recording of this blog I have recorded it  Here, click on the "What Am I Doing" Tab.) I sit h...

VCP Start-up Funding Appeal

Hi All,

Readers of this blog will now that we are endeavouring to raise sufficient start-up funding to begin a programme of rehabilitation for military veteran offenders and support for their families. On our web site - http://veteranschangepartnership.co.uk you will find more details, including this link -

- https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/shirley-anne-fison-ambassadorforveteranschangepartnership

All and any support would be appreciated; thank you.

Creating a Social Movement for Health - RSA Health

The RSA recently ran this conference at the RSA London - ow.ly/qJoK304pHGk . 

Recognising that most offenders suffer with various levels of mental illness and that the conference had a strong focus on health-care in the community, the models under discussion could equally be applied with offenders in prison and the community.  I am left wondering if the MOJ will tap into the principles described. Unless they do, I regret that little will change.

Prison UK: An Insider's View of Veterans in Prison

A Prison Landing fit for Heroes?

This article, by Alex Cavendish, highlights some of the many challenges faced by military veteran offenders in prison and the numerous failings that still exist - http://prisonuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/a-prison-landing-fit-for-heroes.html

Official Stats show flow of veterans into prison.

These official stats show the flow of veterans into prison over 5 months.  Regrettably, it does not show those on community orders / Probation

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/519447/receptions-oct-dec-2015.xlsx

Between July and December 2015, 1,439 former members of the armed forces entered prison. Of these, 1,399 were male and 40 were female.

Why is Change so slow?

6 years ago Erwin James wrote about veterans in prison for the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/feb/09/erwin-james-soldiers-prison .

He followed this up in Inside Time, highlighting an excellent book by veteran Jimmy Johnson - http://www.insidetime.org/the-veterans-survival-guide/

Since then the problem has continued to grow.  Is it simply too big for the Government to care to admit to, or are they hoping that, with time, it will all go away?

USA Veterans Incarceraton levels in Prison

The historic and current levels of US military veterans in custody suffering with PTSD are significant.   Whilst recognising the differences in size and type of military structure between the US and UK forces, there must surely be similarities in the impact of combat operations. 

Notwithstanding the somewhat political introduction, which one can either support or ignore, this US film serves to highlight other important issues and statistics, many of which can also be seen here in the UK, all of which we should be very concerned about!

Devon Forces Family Web Site

This website-   https://www.devonforcesfamily.org.uk/about/has been developed by the Devon Armed Forces Community Wellbeing Partnership (DAFCWP). This partnership provides strategic direction to improve the health and wellbeing of the Armed Forces Community living in Devon.

In September 2014 the DAFCWP published a South West Peninsula Veteran’s Health Needs Assessment. This report found that, of the approximately 107,000 veterans living in Devon, a large proportion had a positive experience of serving in the Armed Forces. However, a minority experienced adverse physical and mental health problems, which could be compounded by other factors such as financial and welfare problems.

This website provides an online directory of services provided for service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families living in Devon. It provides topic overviews, links to relevant information and services and access to support, including those leaving prison -https://www.devonforcesfamily.org.uk/leaving-prison/

VCP Crowd Funding Appeal

We have started a new Crowd Funding appeal towards the work of the Veterans Change Partnership.  All donations are gratefully appreciated.  Please tell your friends and colleagues; thank you.

https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/veteranschangepartnership

Developing Entrepreneurial talent among offenders.

In-prison entrepreneurship programmes could play a key role in preventing re-offending, according to a report by Sheena Leaf, who spent eight weeks in Norway and the USA researching programmes aimed at rehabilitating offenders through developing their entrepreneurial skills.

This report serves to highlight the positive outcomes that arise from such provision and demonstrates that punishment alone is the least effective way of reducing re-offending. 

See - http://www.wcmt.org.uk/fellows/news/developing-entrepreneurial-talent-among-offenders

The Liminal Space - Understanding Imprisonment and Detention Comparitively

Professor Francis Pakes gives his enlightening thoughts on prisons and their impact upon reducing re-offending -  https://vimeo.com/148992275 , comparing the UK / Dutch models with that of Norway.

His lecture is a must for those who have an interest in reducing re-offending and the notions of freedom vs custody and what he describes as the spiritual dimension and the normalisation and care of prisoners.  If  the UK were to establish similar approaches, the financial and human savings could be significant.

Displaying of Comments

Thank you to all those who have commented on my blog.

Whilst I am able to see these, for some reason, unbeknown to me, they are not visible to others.  Is there anybody who can assist me in rectifying this issue please?

The Forgotten WAR - Northern Ireland

When reflecting back to the 70's it is not difficult to understand why so many military veterans have gone on to experience mental illness and ended up entering the CJS. -

The impact upon their families must also not be forgotten!

Number of Veterans in Prison continue to rise

Reports by the Chief Inspector of Prisons show that the number of military veterans in prison has continued to rise and now stands at 7%, circa 6000+, with similar numbers estimated to be on probation / community orders. 

Prisons get urgent £10m to tackle suicide and disorder - see the Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/24/prisons-urgent-funds-tackle-suicide-disorder

An extra £10m is to be pumped into English and Welsh prisons to tackle a rising tide of violence and suicides, the justice secretary, Michael Gove, has announced.
Gove described the most recent suicide figures – more than 100 in the past 12 months – and increasing number of assaults and disorder in jails as “terrible” and cause for “considerable personal concern”. - http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/may/24/prisons-urgent-funds-tackle-suicide-disorder

I’ve seen how our jails wreck human potential. Reform will take courage

Peter Stanford

Reoffending costs £13bn a year – and giving inmates an education is the best way to prevent it, says a member of the Coates review panel

Read more

The extra £10m is to be made immediately available to prison governors for extra prison staff; more training, including on suicide awareness; additional equipment, including body cameras and CCTV; and on additional drug testing, including for legal highs.
“I am well aware that the most recent figures for deaths in custody and violence in prisons, which the [Commons justice select] committee’s report highlights, are terrible,” he said in a letter to the committee published on Tuesday.

US Army Veterans Suicide Rate

The USA recently declared that, on average, 22 US Army Veterans were committing suicide daily.  Clearly UK numbers are no where near this total; however, it is indicative of the massive impact mental illness can have on those who have suffered traumatic experiences in combat.  Those providing therapy are struggling to meet the demand and many veteran are ending up in prison.

VCP Endorsement by Bear Grylls

The majority of former military personnel return to civilian life and forge very successful second careers, many starting their own businesses or reaching senior leadership positions.   Regrettably, an increasing number are finding themselves in prison or on probation.  Currently military veterans represent 7% of the prison population, the largest single occupational group within the custodial estate (circa 6,000).  Similar numbers are on probation  and community orders.  Others are homeless, suicidal  or experiencing family breakdown.  

I believe that the Veterans Change Partnership (VCP) has the potential to reduce re-offending and by inspiring, equipping and doing, enable veteran offenders to rebuild their lives and re-establish the sense of pride and self worth they once knew.   I fully endorse the endeavours and objectives of the VCP and hope that others will also be inspired to do so too.

 

Bear Grylls

 

July 2014

Latest Crime and Prison Information

The latest Crime and Prison information is now available from the Prison Reform Trust - www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk

Adams County Veterans Court -USA

The average percentage of military veterans in prison within the UK is over 6%.

This yet another example of how the USA is increasingly addressing the needs of their veteran offender community - http://yourhub.denverpost.com/adams-county-court-for-veterans-is-commissioned-to-serve/.

Will the UK authorities have the courage to pilot similar courts here in the UK?