CARE AFTER COMBAT

As part of a series of Remembrance events, Martyn Day MP attended a Parliamentary session with Care after Combat, the charity working to help prisoner veterans to reintegrate into society after leaving prison, to learn more about its vital mentoring services.

The charity highlighted that it is only currently able to reach one in 10 prisoner veterans and increased funding is urgently needed to roll out its services UK-wide and support all eligible veterans currently serving sentences.

It is estimated that there are currently 3500 former servicemen incarcerated in England and Wales.

Speaking at the session, Jim Davidson OBE, chief executive officer of Care after Combat said:“I was really pleased to come to Parliament today and receive so much support and encouragement from MPs. At a time when our prison service is struggling to cope, Care after Combat could play a greater role to reduce reoffending and help former veterans by restoring the sense of stability and purpose which they enjoyed whilst serving in the armed forces.”

Martyn Day said:“The Armed Forces Covenant is an agreement between our country and those who put their lives on the line to defend it, and we have a responsibility to look after the welfare of all our veterans, especially as they leave the armed forces and make the massive and often daunting challenge of transitioning to civilian life.

Care after Combat provides dedicated support for those least able to make this transition and who often fall into the prison system as a result.

We must do everything we can do end this vicious cycle and I am pleased to pledge my support.”