Released into a different world but we all should care what happens next
It has been clear for several weeks that some people would be released from prison early because of the Covid-19 crisis.
Thankfully, since the legislation was passed on April 6, we have had time to work with our partners and put plans in place to address the challenges of supporting those released in such extraordinary circumstances. Those leaving custody early will join others being released on schedule, increasing the overall numbers significantly when there are particular and specific challenges in supporting them. Robust risk assessments and the tight criteria imposed for managed early release will ensure community safety comes first. That has always been, and will remain, our priority. In terms of helping former prisoners who are stepping out of one kind of lockdown for another there are, of course, challenges, but we have been able to innovate to find new ways of supporting them when face-toface meetings are impossible. Much of our work is done in partnership. We are partners in the New Routes programme for men and we lead the Shine programme for women, providing mentoring and support as they are about to be released. Our Shine service works with women for some time before they leave prison; picks them up at the gate if needed and supports them on the outside.
We help them to get to the appointments they need to access, key services like housing, health and benefits. We cannot pick them up at the moment, but we are doing everything we can to avoid a situation where people come out of those gates without help, afraid and alone.
If people are released at very short notice, we will have to act quickly to build trust and a relationship as we may have had little or no prior contact. Prisons have been closed to us for the lockdown for understandable reasons and our prison-based champions and mentors have not been able to work with people who are due to be released in the normal way. We have developed
“liberation packs” to provide people with essential information, hygiene items and phones where necessary. Our mentors are available to keep in touch by phone as people emerge into a strange and stressful world where the virus has shut down so much of the familiar. For many, we are the only caring voice they hear.
Self-isolation presents a big challenge for some of our service users, making our support critical to addressing complex and multiple problems. Setting up specialist help where it’s needed is essential as we work to assess mental health and wellbeing and other needs or vulnerabilities while not being able to visit people in their homes.
In close collaboration with our partners, we are working hard to meet the needs of people leaving prison and to ensure that safety comes first for everyone. We are going to be busy, but we must adapt and improvise to ensure that vital help is delivered to people who need it now more than ever.
Annie Maugerthompson is chief executive of Sacro, a community justice organisation that has supported people to reduce conflict and offending in Scotland for almost 50 years