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Prison gates mentor plan for released inmates Prison gates mentor plan for released inmates
(about 9 hours later)
Every prisoner released in England and Wales should have their own mentor to help them get their lives back on track, the justice secretary is to say.Every prisoner released in England and Wales should have their own mentor to help them get their lives back on track, the justice secretary is to say.
The plan would be co-ordinated by private and voluntary sector groups who would be paid if re-offending was reduced, Chris Grayling will say.The plan would be co-ordinated by private and voluntary sector groups who would be paid if re-offending was reduced, Chris Grayling will say.
The mentors would help with finding housing and training opportunities.The mentors would help with finding housing and training opportunities.
Probation officers welcomed the idea, but expressed doubt about whether enough mentors could be found.Probation officers welcomed the idea, but expressed doubt about whether enough mentors could be found.
Mr Grayling is also expected to outline changes to the probation service, in his first major policy speech in the post.Mr Grayling is also expected to outline changes to the probation service, in his first major policy speech in the post.
Almost half of adult prisoners are re-convicted within a year of release and, like his predecessor Ken Clarke, Mr Grayling has made tackling reoffending a priority as justice secretary.Almost half of adult prisoners are re-convicted within a year of release and, like his predecessor Ken Clarke, Mr Grayling has made tackling reoffending a priority as justice secretary.
Prison gatesPrison gates
In his speech he is expected to say that when an offender leaves jail they should be met by a mentor who would help them find a place to live and arrange training or rehabilitation from drug or alcohol issues.In his speech he is expected to say that when an offender leaves jail they should be met by a mentor who would help them find a place to live and arrange training or rehabilitation from drug or alcohol issues.
Only those who are jailed for more than a year are currently given rehabilitation, but the prime minister wants all but a small number of high-risk prisoners to be supported by the end of 2015.Only those who are jailed for more than a year are currently given rehabilitation, but the prime minister wants all but a small number of high-risk prisoners to be supported by the end of 2015.
Mr Grayling will say everyone has a vested interest in "an enlightened approach to reducing reoffending" as "we can't just keep recycling people round and round the system".Mr Grayling will say everyone has a vested interest in "an enlightened approach to reducing reoffending" as "we can't just keep recycling people round and round the system".
He will say: "I want [released prisoners] to be met at the prison gate, to have a place to live sorted out, to have rehab or training lined up, and above all someone who knows where they are, what they are doing, and can be a wise friend to prevent them from reoffending.He will say: "I want [released prisoners] to be met at the prison gate, to have a place to live sorted out, to have rehab or training lined up, and above all someone who knows where they are, what they are doing, and can be a wise friend to prevent them from reoffending.
"Often it will be the former offender gone straight who is best placed to steer the young prisoner back onto the straight and narrow - the former gang member best placed to prevent younger members from rushing straight back to rejoin the gang on the streets."Often it will be the former offender gone straight who is best placed to steer the young prisoner back onto the straight and narrow - the former gang member best placed to prevent younger members from rushing straight back to rejoin the gang on the streets.
"There are some really good examples out there of organisations making good use of the old lags in stopping the new ones. We need more of that for the future.""There are some really good examples out there of organisations making good use of the old lags in stopping the new ones. We need more of that for the future."
'Army of volunteers''Army of volunteers'
Harry Fletcher, of the National Association of Probation Officers, said the idea of mentors was "excellent" but he thought it would never happen because so many prisoners were released every year.Harry Fletcher, of the National Association of Probation Officers, said the idea of mentors was "excellent" but he thought it would never happen because so many prisoners were released every year.
Some 87,000 were released in the 12 months from July 2011 to June 2012.Some 87,000 were released in the 12 months from July 2011 to June 2012.
"You'd need an army of volunteers or employees of private companies to do it properly," he said."You'd need an army of volunteers or employees of private companies to do it properly," he said.
Others fear reform of the probation service is happening too fast.Others fear reform of the probation service is happening too fast.
Sue Hall, from the Probation Chiefs' Association, said: "If payment by results is to be brought in for rehabilitation by 2015, that's a very tall order and any change that is coming in as quickly as that does run a risk of destabilising the system and if that happens then people could be at risk."Sue Hall, from the Probation Chiefs' Association, said: "If payment by results is to be brought in for rehabilitation by 2015, that's a very tall order and any change that is coming in as quickly as that does run a risk of destabilising the system and if that happens then people could be at risk."
What do you think of the proposed mentor plan for prisoners? Are you a former prisoner? Do you work in the probation service? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC please fill in the form below.