Story Type: Successes

Don’t give up

By Elaine

I was 19 when I was convicted for theft from my employer. I received 200 hours community service. I couldn’t give a precise reason why I had stolen the money, it was many factors and this was a very low time for me. Thankfully I had a supportive partner, who is still with me.

Trying to get a job became difficult. At first I didn’t want to try as I was ashamed, and people certainly judge you. After time I knew I had to, otherwise it would always hold me up in life. I had quite good qualifications from school and knew I was capable of a decent job. However, completing applications felt like a bit of a waste of time as I had to declare my conviction and I knew I wouldn’t get a response, which I didn’t.

I started to look more at the small personal adverts and rang one. I got a part time job doing telesales and it felt good to be contributing and working with others. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the importance of self worth. This led to the company referring me to someone who employed me on a self employed basis, thankfully no questions were asked and so this worked fine for about 18 months. My lucky break came when my brother recommended me to his employer and I got a full time admin job. I was so grateful and told the employer about my conviction after I’d been there a few months. I stayed there for about 8 years and after that it became so much easier to get a job, especially once my conviction became spent. I’ve gone on to have a job with Barclays, Citizens Advice and now the local council. Thankfully the new Disclosure rules are so much fairer for people. We all make mistakes and I’d simply recommend to people not to give up.

Transition – You never truly fail until you quit

My journey of transition unwittingly began as I lay face down at the banking of the Thames surrounded by a group of armed officers after having failed miserably in my bid to evade capture after a 5 hour armed siege.

What then ensued was a series of hearings to determine my plea of guilt which thankfully, owing to the overwhelming forensic evidence linking me to the firearm, saved me from the humiliation I would have had to endure had I have opted for a trial.

However, what followed had been far less palatable, a specified period of 15 years under the then quite novel IPP ruling which at the time had been the largest single term of its kind.

Prior to that point my life had been one of conflict with society where I tended to orbit in an environment outside of society’s realm as opposed to wanting to assimilate with it.

However, I was now faced with having the monumental task of ploughing my way through what in effect was the equivalent of a 30 year sentence.

Thankfully I had the presence of mind to utlilise my time as productively as the system would allow and began using education as a means of liberating myself out of my previous lifestyle choice.

I began by studying law, receiving a distinction in Prison and Human Rights Law and for the first time began to see the role which parliament had set out for what law was to achieve and strangely began to develop a slow but meaningful respect for it.

Add to this a couple of NVQ level 3 qualifications in counselling coupled with the beginnings of a journalism diploma, which sadly I had been unable to finish, I was now faced with a whole new proposition.

As a result of the new found understanding I had of law I launched my own appeal had my sentenced reduced by half and significantly lowered my risk to a point where after 7 years I was now manageable in open conditions.

During this period I began volunteering at Unlock, and within weeks of me being there I attended The House of Lords as part of the drive to launch Unlock’s online disclosure calculator.

This really impacted upon me and was the beginning of the broadening of my social landscape as it was under the auspices of Unlock that I really began to develop as I was now privy to all sorts of interesting third sector and criminal justice news which would simultaneously stimulate, inspire and at times appall me.

Having said this what it did provide me with was the rumblings of my very first remit statement for an initiative that I went on to launch. Thankfully my altruistic fervor hasn’t suffered as a result of the hard work I have had to endure being a small practitioner in a landscape which overwhelmingly favours the primes. In fact quite the opposite.

I think If there is a lesson I could impart from my own experience of change it would certainly be my new found understanding that you never truly fail until you quit.

Strange City, Fresh Start, New Life

G Leigh

In 2006, after serving two years of a four year sentence for manslaughter, I found myself in a government hostel in a strange city. Within a week I registered with the local Job Centre, but every time I had to fill in the disclosure part of an application form, it was like I was writing “put me in the bin” in bright neon letters. I went to employment agencies and they couldn’t wait to get me out door. One told me that I should come back in ten years, and then they might consider putting me on their books. Then they rapidly even escorted me out of the building; which was completely unnecessary – but more about them later.

After three months of this, I was climbing the walls. So I started working with a Job Centre worker who regularly came to the hostel. I continued to apply for jobs, but I still wasn’t even getting to the interview stage. Then I was asked if I would be interested in going on a work experience scheme run by an organisation called Business in the Community. This is a group started, funded and run by local businesses in the city aiming to give something back to the community by helping homeless people get a step into employment by giving them work experience and so help them get that first all-important reference. I jumped at the chance. If nothing else, it would at least lift the boredom of unemployment. And, for once, my conviction was not a barrier because their focus was on the homelessness aspect. However, I was made aware that any business which gave me work experience would need to be told about my conviction, but I would have the opportunity to tell them first myself.

To begin with, we had a group meeting every week and we would work with mentors. The mentor was someone from one of the businesses who would help us to write our CV and practice interviews. My mentor was a trainee solicitor from a large law firm.

Soon we were all offered interviews with a local business. The interview was very informal, and that helped me with my nerves. It was at this interview that I told the interviewer about my conviction. She didn’t even bat an eyelid!

The interview was a success and I started I was working in the Human Resources Department. It was the first time since my conviction that I felt people saw me as a person with skills and a personality, not just a conviction. I started off doing the smaller admin jobs, but soon I was accompanying them on job interviews and typing them up. It was a huge step forward.

I ended up being on placement with them for about two months, and I had impressed them – I think mainly because I was just so enthusiastic to have something productive to do. Plus, it turned out that the agency which had told me to come back in ten years was the main agency this law firm used, and Human Resources were not happy about the way I had been treated. They phoned the agency and gave them a very posh bollocking, and said that they were going to have to look into it further as the way the agency has acted conflicted with the law firm’s diversity policies. As a result, the agency promptly put me on their books.

I went on to work in two other departments within the law firm, and I was given more and more responsibility. When my placement came to an end I didn’t want to go but, luckily, the people I had been working with didn’t want me to go either, so the management put a business plan together to produce a position for me. I had an interview for the role, and I was hired!

Within twelve months I was awarded Newcomer of Year, plus I got promoted from Admin Clerk to Junior Legal Secretary. Three years later I was a senior secretary, and seven years later I am still at the same law firm.

The firm still employs people from the Business in the Community scheme on a regular basis, and I got to know three of them. One had an alcohol addiction, one had got involved in dealing drugs and another had lost his previous job because he had been done for assault – which led to being fired automatically. As far as I know, two of the three are still working there.

So, for anyone leaving prison, I would recommend that you find out if there is a Business in the Community programme in your area or anything similar (your local Job Centre should know), plus do consider working for nothing as you will reap the rewards later. Also, willingly accept all the help and information you can get. I would also recommend that anyone leaving prison should apply for jobs in corporate, or at least large, companies because they have employment targets for things such as diversity. And they will have a Human Resources Department which is separate from the rest of the company, so they have a more objective view; and they are more educated on the implications of discrimination etc. when it comes to job applicants.

Finally, remember that nothing pays off better than showing your enthusiasm to work!

Scott’s story

Scott Woodage

I was fortunate to have a good upbringing and benefit from a private education. I have always had an entrepreneurial streak in me and even at a young age, I remember selling seashells to holidaymakers whilst on a family holiday in Barmouth. I made enough money to buy myself a fishing rod and it was a great feeling.

I left school with average grades, although excelled in Commerce, gaining a Grade A GCE in the subject. Around this time, my mother and my stepfather divorced, and much to my mother’s dismay, I decided not to study A Levels, rejecting the idea of university, and opted for a trainee Sales Executive role with a computer software house.

I did well, and soon I was outselling everyone, including the Sales Manager. I asked the Managing Director to sack the Sales Manager and to let me have his job. He declined. I resigned and set up my first business venture, The Selvac Group. The business was in the competitive promotional incentives market and we soon acquired a good name within the industry, which led to us servicing many household brands: Barclaycard, Kodak Film, Moben Kitchens, Ford Motor Company, to name a few.

Within a relatively short period I was a self-made millionaire. The company had 12 full-time employees, and I was enjoying life. I worked hard and partied even harder. But I soon developed a gambling addiction and an obsession for making money.

Despite these problems, I was short listed for Shell Livewire’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year. It was 1990 and I was still only 19 years old. Then the crash! In 1991, with the country suffering a major recession, overnight our order book became depleted – with orders cancelled, combined with frozen budget spends. I used every penny I had, and borrowed heavily, to salvage the business, but it was rapidly going to the wall.

One evening, my business partner and I were discussing the severity of the situation when we both agreed to a plan that would ruin not only my life, but affect the lives of my family, friends and many others as well. The company still retained a strong credit rating, and this meant we could borrow and buy goods on credit. Goods came in, they were sold at ludicrously low prices, and we never paid our creditors.

Soon I made my fortune once again and continued living the high life. We got away with things for about a year, until the inevitable knock at the door. I was arrested and charged with fraud. In court, I pleaded guilty and, to my surprise, escaped prison and received a Probation Order. I flitted from job to job. Sometimes I had money; other times I had nothing. I wanted to get back into business and befriended one of my bosses to lend me £10,000. She did, but the venture never worked out. I was prepared to work off the debt when, out of the blue, she reported me to the police. That was that.
I received 12 months in prison. Fortunately I ended up doing most of my sentence in an open prison. It was not a deterrent, and I would visit prison on two more occasions: in 1999 for a major Ponzi fraud and again, in 2006, for an EBay fraud. It was starting to tot up. In between, I had met up with my biological father – and fathered a daughter of my own.

In 2009, I hit my rock bottom. I was an out-and-out gambling addict and problem drinker. I was robbing Peter to pay Paul and was finally arrested when I could not make good on my promises. I was remanded. An eventful three-hour Magistrate appearance and a day of reflection later, they carted me off to HMP Bullingdon where I became washed up, and very depressed.

In the holding cell, I met a fellow prisoner who could clearly see my pain. He suggested that I look at the RAPt Program. He explained that he was an alcoholic and was serving a life sentence for murder. The RAPt Program had helped him in various ways, and he had found manageability in his life that had been absent for a long while. That was what I needed. I wanted to have what he had.

In April 2010, I started the RAPt Program. Wow! I have never experienced power like it. I became immersed in the program and opened up to total strangers. I shared my darkest secrets, my moments of depression, along with moments of elation. We laughed together and cried together. The release was unlike anything I had ever known. I felt free. After graduation, I joined as a RAPt Peer Mentor and found the experience very rewarding. I also took on several other Peer Mentoring roles for Toe by Toe and on the Vulnerable Prisoner Wing. I never knew Peer Mentoring could be so enjoyable. Time flew by, and I was soon at an open prison again. I continued to Peer Mentor for RAPt, Toe by Toe, and added Aim Higher into the mix.

I became a mentor for someone who could not read or write properly. I spent a lot of time with him and with my encouragement and motivation – coupled with his desire to succeed – within a year he gained TWO GCSE’s in English and Mathematics. I was so proud to be part of that success story – amongst others.

In November 2010, I won Aim Higher Mentor of the Month and became an Accredited Mentor. This culminated in me being selected to give a speech in Parliament to the All Party Parliamentary Penal Affairs Group on the subject of Prison Peer Mentoring. The standing ovation capped it off for me. I knew then that I needed to help others.

I have made use of my time in prison, and totted up several qualifications including a BSc in Psychology, Stress Management Advanced Diploma, Level 4 Life Skills Coaching Diploma, amongst many other Vocational qualifications. I was released from prison in early 2012. Since then, I have set up a successful Internet business, and employed eight full-time staff. I am currently selling part of that business to a large media company. I continue to practice what I have learnt – 12 step – from my mentor in my daily affairs, and meditate on a regular basis. Today my life is better. I no longer have obsessive behaviour; I live a law-abiding life and enjoy every day. I have gained the respect and trust of my family and friends. I owe this to one fellow prisoner who took the time to talk to me in my darkest hour. He introduced me to a new way of life and for that I will be forever grateful. I now have a new friend for life.

I have met some truly extraordinary people due to 12 step and never get tired of hearing and carrying the message to others. I can never repair the damage I have caused to my victims but I can influence the future. Now I seek to live crime free, and to help other ex-offenders find the serenity I have found in my own life.

Scott is the co-founder of Second Chance Mentoring – http://www.secondchancementoring.org.uk

Jim MacVeigh’s Pros and Cons: A review

Review by Richard, Co-editor

True to its title, MacVeigh’s Pros and Cons crawls through the gutters of Bristol’s red light district, deprived estates and seedy inner-city bed-sits in a tale of misogynistic murders, street prostitution and drugs. Almost all of the female characters are on the game and all the men are steeped in crime.

MacVeigh paints a world or sordid morality and deception where sex and affection rarely mix and everything, and everyone, is for sale. His hero, Boswell, is constantly torn between a fear of returning to prison and his inability to rise above his prison mentality where blackmail and backstabbing are par for the course, great kudos is earned by attacking sex offenders and the police are both incompetent and complicit in sexual abuse. I found it hard to find a character I liked.

The plot develops slowly through a series of murky sexual encounters, masturbatory fantasies, off-the-shelf fetishes and racial stereotypes where crimes against women are rooted in the worst of Freudian excuses for violent acting-out. Whilst the names of streets, pubs and urban areas are accurately used to label the setting, very little of it is actually described and, without being familiar with Bristol, it would be hard to imagine where the action takes place.

The dialogue is realistic and believable, although limited, with most of the story being told by an all-seeing narrator. In the final quarter of the book MacVeigh’s hero, a recently released ex-prisoner, suddenly, and barely believably, becomes an expert psychological profiler sought out by a senior detective to help him solve a case whilst the hero gets the upper hand with everyone.

Nevertheless, it is a gritty drama with some interesting plot twists, and the suspense is nicely built up towards an unpredictable ending.

Pro’s and Con’s is available to purchase on Amazon.

A new lease of life

David Honeywell

My recent book signing event at York’s Waterstones, where I was signing copies of my new autobiography, Never Ending Circles, gave me some time to reflect.

Writing your life story really does bring about psychological and emotional changes inside you but little did I expect the life changes that would follow after becoming a ‘respected author’.

Being respected in York is something I never expected to be because almost 30 years ago I walked into a store just on the outskirts of the City and held it up wielding a 7-inch dagger. Then 27 years later, I was made a Freeman of the City through birthright and now I am being greeted by the Lord Mayor for my work.

York has deeply routed ancestry for me on my mother’s side of the family dating back centuries where 24 members were Freeman. And I feel I now owe it to their memory, victims of crime, myself and my own family to try and put right my wrongdoings.

I started doing this by writing my memoirs in the hope to inspire others that lives can be turned around. Delving into my innermost has forced me to change my life – so much that I have moved back to the City where my criminal life began all those years ago.

It’s as though I have been catapulted back in time but now I am a much wiser person. As I continued to write my memoirs, things inside me started to change. I developed a burning desire to revisit old haunts and track down old friends I had lost contact with over 20 years ago then to go back and start all over again.

It has made me see where things had gone wrong – not just by thinking back – but by standing in the actual places I used to frequent and soaking in the ambience mixed with sadness and relief that they are now distant memories.

I now have a new lease of life and passion for revisiting the past to put things right. York is where it all began and as I plan for tomorrow I feel so humbled that the Lord Mayor is coming along especially to see me in all his regalia. This I hope will be the start of us working together within communities.

Before it all starts though I will be in BBC Radio York talking about the contents of the book. Radio and TV have been a great source of publicity ranging from commentating on recent news headlines to discussing where I’m coming from with my book.

The book signings have been a great way of networking and being able to cut my teeth in the publishing world. I have to say though I am pleasantly surprised by the level of interest from local people who just want to read about real life which is very encouraging. I think a lot of people have a story to tell and publishing their book could a lot easier than they think.

This is why I have now set up my own publishing house name, Nocton Publishing, with a view to publishing inspirational stories.

I think there should always be a theme. Mine was to show that I could relate to every aspect of life from alcohol abuse, depression, incarceration to relationship problems and employment issues. It worked because I have as many people asking for my book who have experienced mental health issues and depression as I have from ex-cons and universities.

It has been the most humbling experience personally, but the most rewarding thing for me will be the lives it helps to change. Even if it’s just making someone who is suffering realise they are not alone, to showing that with determination, you can turn your life around.

You can buy David’s book ‘Never Ending Circles’, here.

Taken from Issue 15

“Every Saint has a Past, Every Sinner a Future”

Marilyn Wisbey

My father played a part in the biggest robbery, in 1963. A moving train was held up and 2 and a half million pounds was taken in cash, was on its way to be burnt, 16 robbers were caught after, and Mr Big remains free. No one was killed, they just used coshes, although driver Mills had a slight cut on his head.

My father along with another robber, gave driver Mills a cup of tea, and bandaged his head but he passed away 7 years later. Many officials, and the media trumped this up, to say the driver was so badly traumatised from this that he got cancer, but my mother campaigned over the worst sentences they received of thirty years – and they missed hanging by 2 years, as it was against the state. My argument has always been, whose pockets was it going into, as it was untraceable, although it’s never been answered!

Schooling for both my sister and I, of 15 months difference in age, was always a little bit traumatised. While the teacher was reading the newspapers to the class – “Train robbers escape!” – all the children would turn round and giggle and look at me. I loved music, singing in the school choir, I played the violin, loved art, and cooking and reading.

My writing was very good, in fact, prior to this happening, I got all the kids from the block of flats and decided to do a musical aged eight, both Racheal Rumbol, my sister and I raised ten shillings, towards Dr Barnados Children’s homes in 1963 (that was quite a lot of money then!)

I ended up working in Selfridges as a senior sales consultant, aged 18, that was where I met my son’s dad which took away the heavy duty depression, which I use to get in whirlwinds – dark mood swings that lead me to drink, as I loved a party or dancing!

At 21, I went to the States which opened my eyes to the other side of life. I always said I would go back. But life goes on. For a time I ran a pub for my mother in the 80’s, before I had a conviction. Here, I placed ads in the newspaper and later found out that most of my staff were ex-offenders. We paid well, they did not thieve off us, we gave them a good wage, much more than the minimum wage! That’s why they loved working their shifts, and always turned up, without being ill, they were reliable, they enjoyed the atmosphere. I believe this or any other Government has to push up the minimum wage to at least £12 an hour, as even professional workers are struggling with their bills.

They spend so much sending people to the moon, and spend far too much on armoury for wars. Let’s get our own people employed, in homes, with proper causes, and stop the greed with corporations that are taking advantage of low paid workers, in this country. This is a first world country, not a third world country!

Being out of work, trying for work at 42 years old, and not getting replies back, feeling worthless, the desperation of going to the Job Centre, even to the point of getting a Christmas job, delivering the Royal Mail.

I had not had a conviction, only for a driving offence, 21 people got work that year, except me, the man said he couldn’t believe it. I leaned over and said “You don’t think it’s because my father robbed the train in 1963, do you?” He said “No, you have a clean CRB.” Or was it age discrimination?

Looking back, I could have taken them to court, see studying law was not my forte. Eventually my drinking turned into drug taking, and I got in a relationship that was violent, a down hill battle.

I can truly say drink and drugs do take away the time, and pain of issues, that you have to face.
More drinking led to my bills not getting paid, wrong judgement on friends, until, a relationship you thought was okay, turned into a controlling, abusive relationship, with me being cut on my left ear.

I never had him charged, and eventually, I managed to leave. But still not in my right head, got involved with some drug dealers, who I owed money to. To pay them back, I decided to take a chance, with fraud, to get my ticket away from being jobless, it never happened, it was my cry for help.

Nicked, with a tag round my ankle, with a big notice on my door not to go out after 7pm-7am, that was then I knew I had to get myself together…

My mum was not well at all and I was a part-time addict, but was not a red faced old lady with a can in her hand. A decent lunch, tea and coffees proved very helpful.

How on earth does any government expect a jobless person, prison leaver, homeless person or a human being on a very low income, to get back their lives and pay bills, (that’s if their lucky enough to have a roof over their heads)?
But I did have the help of a good probation officer. I did ask questions and showed her I was willing to learn, whilst under her wing, which looking back, I still believe, is not for everyone. The support should start from the Job Centre and Social Security, for those people that are heading the benders of drink and drug issues.

I engaged in support groups, with “Women in Prison” and did a screen writing course, which was very basic but good. I got nothing from a Probation service organization.

Then there was a place in Great Portland Street where the staff were excellent, but I could tell, it was a window dressing course (cheap and cheerful). This is where they all fall down, instead of giving the people the right further education, in progressing forward, most of the courses are just plain, uncredited courses.

However I then went to another place for drama, which was a bit better. What really did help me was a charity that did help ex-offenders with some small investment. They gave me a small notebook for my writing, Malcolm the advisor understood my plight, my age, and issues and knew I had written a book. They asked me what I wanted, I said I want to help others, that I have creative brains, and am interested in singing.

At the time, I was so upset about a girl contestant called Rachel, who entered the X-Factor, and the media leaked it out that she had been a ex-offender.

This was a disgrace! I don’t have to explain, because I know most of you will agree with me, that, society does have to change its attitudes. We are not going to change 60% of ex-offenders, but the 40% who are willing should really have that extra support, within the arts, I mean not just using paint and a paint brush, but music technology – proper courses.

So now I’ve just recorded a song called “Gone on ahead” wrote by an old friend called Billy Brindle, a mature man who grew up without a father. He could not read or write, yet has wrote many good songs.

He found a young blind girl, Hayley aged 14 years, and she ended up on Children In Need on BBC plus then went to the States for the Country and Western, over in Nashville.

As I researched his talent of songs, it came to me that with my other plan, in mind for January next year, I have found a new venture. My plan is for a talent show and I’m willing to take on voluntary workers, or entries and would be available to advise the route to go down on the straight and narrow.

My song has only been up a few weeks and it has 200 hits, so far, on Youtube.com. I have been invited to sing for the Amy Winehouse foundation over in Belgium which I’m looking forward to. It’s a fashion show… So things are finally looking up!

You can buy Marilyn’s book, Gangster’s Moll on Amazon, here or to volunteer to work with Marilyn on one of her projects email marilynjwisbey@hotmail.co.uk. Also, check out Marilyn’s song on Youtube, here.

Taken from Issue 15

Artist, Ex-Con…and a Real Hero

Erica Crompton

A man with a criminal record who turned his back on a life of crime thanks to the power of art has seen his blooming brilliant work in the frame for the first time as part of an Olympic-themed campaign.

Of reform, freelance artist Richard Queen tells theRecord: “It’s to do with all the projects I’m doing – I wouldn’t be able to pass my time and do things constructively and help others if it weren’t for all the courses and work I have on.”

And now he’s created three canvas paintings of home-grown sporting stars and local sports facilities which are now under the spotlight in the Perspective Gallery at Jubilee2 in Newcastle-Under-Lyme.

The local Borough Council commissioned the artwork, called “Local Hero”, to complement this year’s Newcastle in Bloom entry which focuses on the London 2012 Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to retain the small city title in Heart of England in Bloom for the sixth year.

Richard took inspiration from Jubilee2’s abstract window art to create a masterpiece of reigning under 18s world swimming champion Rachael Kelly. He also produced a painting of 800m runner Emma Jackson, who is from Newcastle, and a patriotic picture of the climbing wall at Jubilee2.

He held an outdoor painting session at Queen’s Gardens, Newcastle on 13 July as judges wound up their tour of gardens, parks and community projects.

The 35-year-old, from Bucknall in Stoke-on-Trent, has been in and out of prison since the age of 17 and credits the therapeutic effect of art with helping him to stay out of trouble for four and a half years. He now works on community art projects with vulnerable adults and substance users.

Richard said: “I’ve really enjoyed being involved in Newcastle in Bloom this year and got quite a lot out of it personally. I feel like I’ve accomplished something and it’s a way of giving something back.”
Rachael, who is from Ashley, said: “It’s a bit surreal but it’s fantastic to know that people in my home town support me.”

“It’s great to be associated with Newcastle in Bloom because the floral displays really do make a big difference and pull the community together.”

Cllr. Elsie Bates, Cabinet member for culture and leisure, added: “I’m delighted that Richard is involved in such an exciting campaign and would like to congratulate him on his fantastic achievement.

“The Heart of England judges were very impressed with his work so hopefully it might help to give us an edge.

“Community involvement is a very important part of Britain in Bloom and we’re lucky to have people jumping at the chance to be involved. We’ve also got a lot of sporting talent in the borough which is always good to celebrate.”

The results of Heart of England in Bloom will be announced on 13 September. Richard tells theRecord: “I’m excited to hear about the results. I also entered last year and was pleasantly surprised. I entered a 16 foot painting called Gloom to Bloom back then – which celebrated communities coming together. I won £30 vouchers for art materials. And Gloom to Bloom is still on display in Newcastle-Under-Lyme today – happy days!”

To commission or order original artwork by artist Richard Queen contact rmqueen@hotmail.co.uk or call 07901 255 469.

Taken from Issue 15

More than just getting a job

Sarah Viney

There is a never ending emphasis on the benefits of gaining employment especially when it comes to crime reduction. Increasing employability has become a mutual goal for those involved with sentence planning from the very beginning with questions surrounding previous employment in a ‘pre-sentence’ report, throughout the incarceration period when interventions include ‘preparation for employment’ and ‘focus on resettlement,’ right up to when the reduction in risk factors are calculated by attempting to quantify how much you are likely to enter a job upon release.

The benefits of employment are huge to a lot of people of course – benefits include building new friendships and learning new skills that increase ‘self-worth’ and ‘confidence’. They include an increase in income that can help with debt, and benefits. They include filling the ‘empty’ space within time – the time alone thinking, blaming, searching for something, trying to figure it all out. However employment can also deprive people of reaching the goals that matter most in life. It is increasingly difficult for the majority in today’s society, with increasing demands on organisations, for employees (especially women with children) to achieve a healthy work-life balance. Relationships break down and children suffer.

I was driving on the motorway today and ‘trying to figure it all out’ – I imagined the motorway stretching towards the sea and all the cars were travelling forwards just like our lives ageing. Everyone travels in the same direction although each has a different destination. In life we are all travelling the same way but journeys take various routes and some are longer than others. Feel the frustrations of traffic, queuing for miles, what if this is like employment? Moving happily for so long when it begins to rain heavily, one of the exits closes due to flooding, increasing numbers travelling towards the next, one gets distracted with the back wipers, a pile up, stand still.

No matter how much you planned your journey that morning ‘you are stuck.’

I have always been a big believer in a ‘can do attitude.’ I have achieved so much through this attitude myself including published work in a self-help booklet for women that won an NHS Innovation Award and I am now approaching my final year at one of the most prestigious Universities in England. After flying up that motorway I am moving, getting closer to where I want to be, however after applying for a graduate training scheme and coming to a ‘stand still’ this morning even I am questioning whether I ‘can do.’ How can we ever progress if others do not ‘support’ that opportunity? We can be in control, we can change our behaviour and we can learn skills like better coping strategies. We can become emotionally aware and focus on our future, plan as good if not better than any other, and ‘believe’ in ourselves. However we need society to create equilibrium by also building on awareness, by becoming fair and honest in their policies, by supporting and encouraging goals, and by becoming a driver of ‘self-belief.’ There are still so many ‘gaps’ in opportunities of inclusion.

How can a company say on their website how much:
‘we are proud to be a diverse business. Without an inclusive policy, we would miss out on significant talent within the community. In the UK we have the most socially diverse customer base of any retailer and we want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve.’

Then refuse someone the opportunity to apply for a graduate training scheme on the basis of them having an unspent criminal conviction. If they were to reflect on their ‘emotional’ awareness they would be answering questions such as ‘Why are we including this policy?’ And looking within at ‘Who will benefit from this policy?’ I feel that some companies are more than willing to employ ex-offenders in low level employment, paying minimum wage, in order to achieve ‘corporate responsibility’ status within [their] communities (which in itself is debatable).

An issue I am increasingly passionate about is how some of these low level entry positions can add to the many factors related to persistent offending OR first time offending; low self-esteem, financial difficulty. And in particular these types of ‘employment opportunities,’ if they deserve to be called this, are well known in several research studies to have an impact on mental health and emotional well-being, not just on offenders but on society at large. Bring on David Cameron’s Happiness Survey?!! I would personally like to see the ‘Big Society’ doing more towards ensuring equal opportunity where it doesn’t just settle for allowing ex-offenders and other groups the ‘opportunity’ to clean toilets for a living.

Ignorance of those left behind can impact upon those ‘high flyers.’ Mental Health of employees costs businesses an estimated £26 billion a year in absenteeism and reduced productivity.

If companies were honest with themselves about why they choose to have inclusion policies, just like if an individual were honest with themselves about what they have responsibility for, then the answers can be reflected upon, thought about and built upon. Risks may have to be taken, anxieties may have to be felt and channelled positively, but the rewards can be massive, and ‘can’ be achieved instead of arriving at a ‘stand still.’

Investments present an element of risk. Investing in an individual feels a lot more rewarding than investing on the stock exchange as it is investing in a life, a ‘being,’ a ‘community,’ that can have so many rewards and create a ripple effect. You get out what you put in! Speculate to accumulate. Just think about what you can put into an employer-employee relationship. Trust, empathy, support, encouragement, belief. And risks can be pooled. There are opportunities of government support for companies with the ‘development’ of employees so in all honesty the risks don’t have to be that great. The hard work would be about adapting the organisation to fit in with the current Government Work Programme.

This is exactly what I had in mind for the position that I wanted to apply for. I would have taken my own initiatives, worked in my own time on something I am passionate about, and developed policies and procedures that would adapt that company to support from the government in exchange for developing their workforce thus providing job ‘satisfaction’ and increasing productivity. Creating an environment that deeply embeds the values surrounding ‘more than just a job.’ They have missed out on my ‘talent.’ Oops I think they need to reflect upon the wording of their inclusion policy.

An interviewee answering a question relating to the ‘social evils’ of society suggested:
‘We are in danger of losing sight of what is important in life, like kindness, playfulness, generosity and friendship. The immaterial things that can’t be bought and sold. We can quantify money better than we can quantify happiness and contentment. So we chase it, rather like a rainbow, deceiving ourselves that it will deliver that elusive happiness and contentment.’ (JRF) [http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/social-evils-consultation-report.pdf]

Therefore, ‘Employer Engagement’ ought to practice what it preaches – A ‘relationship,’ NOT, just a formal contract between employer and employee! To be ‘engaged’ means more than just a formal contract it can encompass support and encouragement both ways. For instance the employer supports and encourages development within the individual and the individual supports and encourages development within the company. An honest reflection of ‘work-life’ balance and support based practices. This way there are no losers. There needs to be a balance. Just as within an ‘engagement’ to be married if one member takes more than what the other is able to give then the relationship will break down and suffer ‘emotional’ repercussions that can impact negatively elsewhere on the individual and/or on the organisation.

A productive and happy workforce is not all about what’s on the outside – the qualifications and experience (or should this be appearance?), although these compliment it. It’s about developing foundations that can be built upon. What is on the inside should be made a priority. This entails supporting a comprehensive (holistic) work-life balance to enable growth both within and without.

I would like to see the term ‘employer engagement’ as related to more than just a ‘contract’ – ‘more than just getting a job.’ I want to see employers feed enthusiasm and self-belief.

Taken from Issue 17

Sarah’s Bag

Sarah’s Bag produce and sell feminine, fresh, and fashionable bags. For the past 11 years, owner Sarah Beydoun has made it her mission to work with women prisoners, providing them with opportunities that result in a steady income and a stable job after their release. Sarah realised that it is her duty and the duty of her community to also improve the living conditions of these women inside the prison. The hard work and effort of these women is a major part of the ever-growing success of Sarah’s Bag. Today, and as a tribute to their resilience and perseverance, Sarah’s Bag is giving these prisoners a chance to improve their life conditions in prison by beading pouches that would be sold by Sarah’s Bag. All proceeds will go directly to the Dar Al Amal organisation to finance the three rehabilitation programs in Baabda prison, Lebanon:
1. Providing legal support to the prisoners.
2. Rehabilitation of the Baabda prison.
3. Providing medical support.

Sympathising with the prisoners is one thing, while taking simple actions in order to make a change in these women’s lives is what matters most.
Each piece requires 10 to 15 days of meticulous embroidering, beading, crocheting, and hand stitching to produce.

Founder Sara Beydoun studied sociology at the American University of Beirut. After she earned her master’s degree with a thesis on female prostitution and women prisoners in Lebanon, she realised she could do something to improve the conditions in which women in Lebanese prisons were being held.

Sarah decided to set up her company as part of a rehabilitation programme, whereby women at risk from economic depravation or the stigma of having served time in prison would learn valuable skills in return for a reliable income and a stable source of pride, dignity, and empowerment. In the process, these women would be helping to revamp the centuries’ old traditions of artisans and textile makers in the Middle East for the purpose of invigorating contemporary fashion. The arrangement turned out to be successful, innovative, and highly efficient.

For more information please see www.sarahsbag.com

Taken from Issue 17

Story Type: Successes

Don’t give up

Transition – You never truly fail until you quit

Strange City, Fresh Start, New Life

Scott’s story

Jim MacVeigh’s Pros and Cons: A review

A new lease of life

“Every Saint has a Past, Every Sinner a Future”

Artist, Ex-Con…and a Real Hero

More than just getting a job

Sarah’s Bag

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