Spring 2015 Edition - CROPT | Cumbria Reducing Offending

SEAGULL
Spring 2015
Prisoners at HMP Haverigg are
making a diference to people‘s
lives.
A dedicated bike workshop
employing 15 prisoners has been
set up to ix a variety of bikes
and wheelchairs that in turn are
distributed by the Margaret Carey
Foundation helping to make a
diference to children around the
world.
Old bikes arrive in the workshop
from a variety of sources, some
donated, others handed over by
the Police which have come into
their possession.
Each bike is completely stripped
down to the frame and the
dedicated team then re-build
them with any new parts required
to bring them up to the required
standard.
Watching the inmates at work,
you can see the pride that is
taken in each bike. It isn’t hard
to imagine what a diference
this workshop is making both to
others and the lives of inmates.
Youngsters that have beneited
so far include an Orphanage in
Uganda , A children’s centre in
Bulgaria that donated the bikes
to teach safe cycling and hospice
Circulation: 7,000
Est: 2007
To view The Seagull online, visit: www.cropt.org
workers in Kampala who rely
on the bikes to reach remote
villages.
Can you imagine a disabled
grandmother that was being
carried in a wheelbarrow to a clinic
in South Africa?
She now has a wheelchair and can
help care for her Grandchildren.
The Margaret Carey Foundation
is currently looking for additional
Charities regardless of location
that could use our bikes. If you
know of any please let us know.
The restoration project teaches
ofenders not only mechanical
skills but also to work as part of a
team, skills that will help in inding
employment on release. Their
work is helping desperately poor
people get to school and work,
and by giving new life to scrap
bikes, reducing the amount of
waste that goes to local landill
,so is actually good for the
environment.
Import.
Perhaps we should invite Chris
Grayling, the Prison’s Minister,
to come along and see for
himself and maybe try out a
saddle or two. After all, he
knows how important a safe
seat is.
Instructors Bev and Stuart
explain:
“The hatrick of “goals” scored by
Haverigg ofenders is easy to see:
1. Safer communties - the
project helps to reduce
re-ofending.
2. Cleaner communities- less
waste going to local landill sites.
3. Improving the lives of those
less fortunate.
Together this puts HMP Haverigg
in a league of their own!”
All If you’d like to help in other
ways, £5 buys the parts to ix
one bike or wheelchair. Text £5
MMCF35 to 70070 now.100%
of the donation goes straight
to work, helping ofenders help
others.
All types of restored bikes can
also be purchased from the
farm shop.
Also Inside
Steve Johnson - Respected Naturally
Travellers’ Tales
Prisons In The Media
St or ybook Da ds
Background On User Voice
Unity
Ford Park Ulverston
Millom & Haverigg
PLUS
A Prize To Be WON
www.cropt.org
Page 2
Useful Contact Numbers
The Seagull Team:
Local Citizens Advice Bureau:
Millom
Advice Buildings, 31 Wellington St.,
Millom, LA18 5DG
Tel: 01229 772395
Monday
Thursday
Friday
citizens
advice
bureau
Opening Hours
09.00am – 3.00pm
09.00am – 3.00pm
09.00am – 12.00pm
Legal Services Commission (Legal Aid)
Tel: 0845 345 4 345
Web: www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk
GamCare: Dealing with Gambling Addiction
Tel: 020 7378 520
Prospects:
D.Coleman
D..Co
Coleman
ole
eman
Unless otherwise stated, all views expressed in The
Seagull are meant as discussion pieces and are not
necessarily the views or opinion of HMP Haverigg, its staff
or any employees of Her Majesty’s prison estate.
The Seagull, SMR Workshop,
H.M.P. Haverigg, North Lane, Millom,
Cumbria, LA18 4NA
Please note: names and addresses on
correspondence are withheld from prisoners.
Reducing drug-related crime in the community
Prisoners sentenced to 18-months or less, or
offenders sentenced to a community order, and who
are drug-free, volunteer to join the 12-week residential
programme on release. They receive assistance to
secure a 6-month tenancy in suitable accommodation.
National Enquiry Line: 0845 039 8002
CADAS: Cumbria Alcohol & Drug Advisory Service
Tel: 01228 544140
Free & Conidential Harm Minimisation
Service:
The above service is now running at the Barrow Centre (92-96 Duke
Street). The service provides needles syringes, vitamin C, swabs,
and sharp bins. Hepatitis A and B immunisation and condoms.
Information, advice and support also available.
Tel: 01229 615651
The Methadone Alliance:
Is there a local
community event
that you would like to
promote in the next
edition of The Seagull
free of charge?
Contact The Editorial team for further details
The Seagull, HMP Haverigg, North Lane, Millom, Cumbria,
LA18 4NA
Shelter:
housing law, exclusion, eviction and
support agencies
Cumbria Users Project:
Ulverston
Martin Roberts - User Development Worker for South Cumbria
Tel: 01229 585585
[email protected]
Jim Hamezeian (Development Worker)
Tel: 01229 812 888
Mobile: 0771 7002425 E-mail: [email protected]
Cumbria Multi-Cultural Service:
Monday, Wednesday, & Fridays
48 Cavendish Street, Barrow
Tel: 01229 894401
E-mail: [email protected]
Skills For Life:
E-mail a prisoner
EMAP is now
operational at
Haverigg Prison.
If you would
like to e-mail a
loved one...
www.emailaprisoner.com
Messages cost 30p each
Tel: 08700 429 351
Call 0800 100 900 for free information on learning and careers
advice or visit: www.alw.org.uk
Haverigg Prison Visit Booking Line
01229 713016
(1pm - 4pm Monday - Friday)
http://www.gov.co.uk/prison-visits
To join in the nation’s conversation...
www.prisonchatuk.com
Having problems
receiving visits?
www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk
Workington
Furness Multi-Cultural Community Forum:
Prison Chat UK is an online
community that gives support
to anybody who has a loved
one inside one of Her Majesty’s
ine establishments. This is a
friendly website that enables
families of prisoners to interact
with similar people and share
their feelings and problems
anonymously.
Contact:
Assisted Prison Visits Unit (APVU)
PO Box 2152
Birmingham
B15 1SD
Tel: 0845 300 1423
Tel: 020 7299 4304
Maggie Messenger – User Development Worker & Project
Coordinator
Tel: 01900 604735
[email protected]
Prison Chat UK
THE SHANNON
READING TRUST
NEEDS YOU!!!
The APVU is part of the Prison Service
and they manage the Assisted Prison
Visits scheme, enabling families on
beneits to receive inancial assistance
with travel costs.
Partners of Prisoners Support Group
(POPS)
POPS provides a varied service to
support anyone who has links with
someone in prison, and they also give
assistance to anyone who needs help
to cope with the stress of arrest, imprisonment and release.
For more information:
Tel/Fax 0161 702 1000
www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk
E-mail: partnersofprisoners.co.uk
Would you like
to put together
an article for a
future edition of
The Seagull?
If you would like
to share your
experiences
or views on a
particular subject
that you are
passionate about,
covering a subject
that would be
interesting to the
prison and local
community then
please do not
hesitate to contact
us. Inmates can
drop any articles or
items for inclusion
into ‘The Seagull
Post Box’, in the
Library.
www.cropt.org
Page 3
Steve Johnson - project manager ‘Respect, Naturally’
A veteran who served 12 years in the armed forces
and has since worked around the world in areas
such as Kosovo, Angola, Lao PDR, and Malaysia;
Steve is a personal coach and health practitioner
with many years experience helping people deal
with a wide variety of health and wellbeing issues.
Steve Johnson
Project Manager ‘Respect, Naturally’
If you are a veteran and have faced difficulties as
a result of alcohol, drugs or serving a custodial or
community sentence then the ‘Respected Naturally’
programme offers you the chance to regain the self
esteem and respect you once had.
He has worked with charities in deprived areas, with
people affected by chronic health problems, run
special prolific offender schemes as well as working
with people dealing with anxiety, stress and work
related illnesses.
A mountaineer who has walked and climbed in the
Alps, Scandinavia and the Arctic Circle, and also
enjoys kayaking and orienteering, he has been a
Mountain Leader and Climbing Instructor working in
residential centres and freelance for over 35 years.
Using a range of outdoor activities, personal coaching and ultimately
time spent alone in wilderness areas you will be encouraged to develop
the skills needed to cope with the life and personal issues that lie
ahead.
You will be able to undertake challenges ranging from rock climbing to
kayaking, orienteering to mountain expeditions. All aimed at giving you
the confidence and self-belief you had in the past.
There is no cost to you other than your time and commitment.
He is a mountain rescue team member and
also a TRiM (trauma risk management - PTSD)
assessor and casualty care trainer for Mountain
Rescue. He also regularly works as a medic on
both local and international adventure races.While
his work focuses on using outdoor experiences
to help people cope with whatever life throws at
them, Steve is also passionate about promoting
the benefits of stronger connections to our
natural environment and protecting it for future
generations.
All equipment will be provided and will be yours to keep on completion
of your chosen activity programme. you may also gain nationally
recognised qualifications in a range of areas from first aid to navigation.
For more details speak to a mentor from CROPT on
07818 410421
Or call Tao Mountain on
07880 872112
Interested
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We are always looking for new contributors to the
paper. We would really like to hear from people from
all residential units to contribute to the paper
about what they feel would be of interest to the
general public and inmates. We hope to get a team of
around ten to twelve people to contribute regular
articles, poetry, stories or artwork so that we are
fully representative of our wider community.
For those who may be interested The National Council
for the Training of Journalists have created a
Diploma in Journalism for Distance Learners course
which gives a qualiication that editors look for
when employing a trainee journalist. If you are
interested in a career in Journalism or public
relations/media upon release or working for an
organization working in restorative justice or with
ex-offenders which requires you to produce copy for
publication, do let us know and we will send you
further details. Part of the qualiication involves
producing a portfolio of work, and submissions to
The Seagull, would count for the portfolio. If you
have at least a year to eighteen months to serve at
Haverigg, have level 2 in Maths and English and are
interested in undertaking the course then do contact
us via the Seagull box in the library. If you have
less time and wanted to study it upon release then
we can give you further details.
THE FIRST COMMUNITY PAPER PRODUCED
IN PRISON
The
SEAGULL
The Editorial team would like to thank everyone who participat-
ed in the recent survey. The above pages are just one of the ways
that we intend to improve your reading experience. Send ideas to
The Seagull, HMP Haverigg, North Lane, Millom,
Cumbria, LA18 4NAPlease note: names and addresses on correspondence are withheld from prisoners.
North Lane, Millom, Cumbria, LA18 4NA
Page 4
www.cropt.org
Category D
Re-Categorisation
Incredible Edible Ulverston
Launched in February 2014 this is a town-wide project which links with
the international Incredible Edible food movement started in
Todmorden in Yorkshire about 6 years ago.
We are passionate people working together for a world where all share
responsibility for the future wellbeing of our planet and ourselves. We
aim to provide access to good local food for all, through
 working together and planting food in some new and unlikely
places!
 learning – from field to classroom to kitchen through gardening,
cooking and food preserving courses and events
 supporting local food businesses such as farmers, retailers,
cafes and breweries
 having fun at picnics, film nights, BBQs etc
Lots of people have already got involved such as the Ulverston
Permaculture Project, the Scouts, the Greener Lightburn Park Group,
Woodland Freerange Pigs and Ford Park.....if you are interested please
check out
The Incredible Edible Ulverston facebook page
or contact
Kim Farr at Ford Park on 01229 588164 or
email: [email protected]
We understand that Haverigg prison has recently stopped issuing the
outcomes of Cat D reviews to prisoners in a paper form. This means that if
you are turned down for re-categorisation and wish to appeal we are told you
will now have to pay 90p to get a copy of the reasons for the refusal.
The presumption of course is that you knew you had been refused in the
irst place. We have recently heard of cases where prisoners had not been
informed that the board had sat and did not know they had been refused. This
makes it dificult for the prisoner to appeal it within the complaints system time
scale if they did not realise they had to do so.
With Category D being a huge step towards prisoners being re introduced
into society it seems somewhat backward thinking that priority isn’t given to
completing the paperwork close to review dates, this in turn leads to back
logs and creates further work loads for probation oficers and personal oficers
alike.
The knock on effect of this can be quite devastating for prisoners and
families.
Delays in reviews taking place can often affect progress in the future, with
dates for ROTL (release on temporary license) in some cases being reached
before the reviews are completed.
Personal Oficers are often given different roles and continuity isn’t in place,
resulting
in applications requesting information on progress often going unheard and
without response, which in turn just adds to frustrations and creates lack of
trust in the prison system.
We will ask the OMU department to elaborate on this in our next issue.
Cumbria
Cum
Cu
um
mbria Gateway
Gat
Ga
ate
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eway
way
ay
Cumbria Gateway offers a unique peer led supportive environment in
which people can recover from addiction and develop a new future. It
wants to inject and nurture a hope that is contagious. Gateway offers an
alternative lifestyle, free from substances and provides opportunities
to gain confidence and skills needed resettle in the community.
Our daily operations offer a range of therapeutic/social events and
include being open evenings & weekends.
Services:
1.
Accommodation -total of 11 units in Carlisle, these are a mix of
individual residential properties and shared accommodation. The
offer is for Single people remaining abstinent (Women will only be
considered for individual accommodation and not shared) from the
age of 18 upwards. Must engage with all activities Gateway offers.
2. Drop-in therapeutic activities - Drop-in have a catch up with friends
over a cuppa or join our activities meditation, pool darts, art & crafts
etc. For anyone over the age of 18 that are not under the influence of
substances
3. Healthy Lunch Club - Encourages understanding of nutrition and
healthy eating, and to learn more about the positive effects of exercise
and the overall balance of a healthy lifestyle. To be referred and reaming
abstinent
4. SMART Recovery - This course provides tools to sustain recovery,
preventing relapse & enabling them to integrate back into their
community. People must have a willingness to become abstinent
5.
Breakfast club - Out-reach breakfast club for the more chaotic
clients who are socially excluded and may be homeless. No restrictions
to come
Narcotics Anonymous - once a week
Once individuals are in recovery free from substances, we can offer a
range of volunteering opportunities:
1. Charitable Shop - Allows volunteers to gain new skills, confidence,
self-esteem and opportunities to gain employment.
2. Handy Person Scheme - designed to help elderly and vulnerable
residents in the community with repairs in their homes and gardens.
This gives volunteers transferable skills and breaks down stigma
attached to addictions.
Recovery Champions - Those in recovery offer support for those who
are chaotic or self-harming. They are best placed to inspire and give
hope to people with addictions.
To find out more contact us at: 118 Botchergate, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1
1SH Tel: 01228 524450 / email: [email protected] www.
cumbriagateway.co.uk
www.cropt.org
Page 5
An illustrated collection of Irish Traveller and Romany Gypsy stories
featuring a collection of pictures, stones and history from the Travelling
community has recently been published. The book was written by Sister
Carmel Murphy, a nun who has spent 20 years working in the community,
and edited by Manchester based journalist Ciara Leeming. Sister Carmel
spent years collecting the life stories of the Irish Travellers and English
Gypsies with whom she wrote the book, So that knowledge of their
traditional way of life would not be lost. Ciara Leeming added that the aim
of the book was to “quietly deal with stereotypes about these groups and
to highlight the diversity within them - as well as their similarities with other
communities. The books are available for £2.50 plus postage by emailing
Ciara at: [email protected].
We had been asked by several traveller prisoners to include some information
about resources available to them. There is a specialist group called the Traveller
Equality Project (Conn MacGabhann (Manager) Joe Cottrell-Boyce (Policy Oficer))
which has many roles but which includes the support of Travellers in prison.
They are willing to answer any questions relating to Travellers, offer resources for
Traveller prisoners, arrange speakers from the Traveller community for diversity
programmes and assist in the setting up of Traveller groups. If anybody wishes to
contact them they are available at:
The Traveller Equality Project,
ICB,
5O- 52 Camden Square,
London,
NWS9XB
Book Ban Overturned
Common sense has prevailed and on 31st January Chris
Grayling’s directorate on not allowing books to be sent in to
prisoners has been overturned.
Poet Laureate Carol Ann Dufy had commented that the
ban had hurt “the very soul of the country” and many others
agreed.
Shades of Gray(ling)
Family and friends can order and buy books from a range of
sellers who will arrange for the books to be sent.
Amongst the sellers are Waterstones, W H Smith, Foyles
and Blackweirs who were chosen not only for their vast
catalogues but also for the security of prisons.
Existing policies around the appropriate content of books
will remain in place and audio books will now also be available
to be ordered, to help those with learning diiculties or a
disability.
Governor Corcoran added, “If there are exceptional reasons,
I may allow your family or friends to hand in or send books to
you directly.”
A maximum of 12 books will be available to keep “in cell” and
will encourage and further develop not only reading interests
but importantly make a signiicant aid to those who are
studying for academic qualiications.
If you have any comments or require any further help please
place your comments in the SEAGULL BOX located in the
library and we will always reply.
D COLEMAN
Page 6
www.cropt.org
Prisons In The Media
With an election looming
no doubt issues relating
to the prison estate will be
highlighted in the media.
As you know recently both
BBC Cumbria and Look
North followed up on our
cover article on employment
opportunities at the prison
and we hope they will be
as equally interested in
this months front page on
other employment being
undertaken by prisoners
and opportunities
for former veterans
leaving prison.
There have been
a lot of coverage
recently on radio
and television about
prisons- We are
familiar with the
more salacious ones
which are quickly
picked up by the
press but there have
been an increasing
number of radio
programmes relating
to prison life. There
have been several
appearances of
the Chairman of Timpsons
about the work they do
in training and employing
ex-offenders. In fact over
800 ex-offenders are now
working for the
company and
Timpsons have
an enviable
record in retaining
ex-offenders
as long term
employees.
James Timpson
the Managing
director of the
company has been
most pro-active in
developing working
relationships
with individual
prisons and training
potential employees whilst
they are still in prison.
Indeed James Father
when recently interviewed
mentioned that six individual
prisoners on ROTL
(Released on Temporary
License) are managing
their shops and returning to
prison at the end of the day.
This type of scheme gives
the offender the opportunity
to earn money whilst in
prison to make the transition
to life outside.
Anybody employed in such
a position pays normal tax
and national insurance but
an additional 40% of what
they earn is taken from their
wages and donated to victim
support- showing restorative
justice in practice. Timpsons
seem to have found that
by giving people a chanceemployees who are
ex-offenders are more likely
to remain and return the
trust given in them. One of
the greatest problems facing
those leaving prison and
who want to change their
lives is inding companies
willing to take a chance. If
you know of any who are
positively willing to recruit
ex-offenders we would like
to hear about them.
It is a key fact that
individuals who have a
settled job to go to upon
release are far less likely
to re-offend and are
able to contribute once
more to society. It is still
a fact that many people
leaving prison have to
face life in temporary
accommodation and
having to sort out
beneit applications.
Many offenders
would love to have
the opportunity to
access opportunities
to look for work before
release. Several
prisons do in fact
have job clubs- where
individuals can be put
in touch with potential
employers and support
organisations.
Unfortunately, that
requires the prison
authorities to have
enough staff to enable it
to happen. We still have
to face the reality that
association periods here at
Haverigg are curtailed of a
weekend on a regular
basis, because of the
lack of staff. What we
thought was going
to be a temporary
measure has
become a long-term
arrangement.
Interestingly the
Minister for prisons
was on Radio 4 the
other day, informing
us that an over 800
additional oficers had
been recruited and
another 800 plus are in
training, which should
alleviate the problems.
In the same interview it was
also stated that there would
be an increase in the prison
population nationwide of
2,000 in the next 6 months.
This will no doubt put further
strain on the system.
The American Way
“Republican Rehab”
Moving on from Russia to America
there was an equally interesting
programme on Radio 4 looking at “
Republican Rehab” in the American
Penal System. Texas it seems has
been closing down its Jails in favour
of community, restorative justice
programmes called “Right on Crime”
, based on a combination of peer
mentoring and community supervison
schemes run by supportive staff its
closed jails throughout the state. The
state came out with an interesting
idea- don’t build new
prisons they cost
too much . Run by
a 6’3” Republican
Judge called Robert
Francis who spoke
of the scheme
he manages I
must admit I had
never thought of
the USA as being
at the forefront of
rehabilitation. The
programme itself
showed that amongst men in the
United States 1 in three Black, 1 in
6 Hispanic and 1 in 17 Caucasian
would end up behind bars. But in a
recent trial in Texas they are closing
down Jails. You
would think that
there would
be a massive
increase in
crime. In fact
the reverse
is true, there
has been a
massive drop
in re-offending
rates for
those on the
programme.
The fact that such programmes cost
half the amount spent on keeping a
jail open allowed prime real estate to
be released for redevelopment and
ensured that only the most serious
offences led to incarceration was
being widely praised. David Davies
the former Conservative Minister was
enthusiastic about
the opportunities it
laid open here. Its
a sad fact that the
burgeoning cost
of locking people
up may have a far
greater impetus
in supporting the
development
of rehabilitative
justice projects,
than the moral
and ethical considerations of really
dealing with the issues for developing
rehabilitation and restorative justice
programmes, put forward
by groups such as the
Howard league for Penal
Reform. The mantra
of ‘prisons don’t work’,
may not be as popular
as ‘prisons cost too
much’, in these days
of increasing spending
cuts we may ind the
later does more to affect
change in policy than any
other considerations.
If you have read listened or seen
anything interesting relating to the
prison service please let us know
your views.
ARETE : Quality products - unbelievable prices..
Summer houses
Children’s play houses
Garden sheds
Dog kennels
www.cropt.org
Page 7
The Russian Experience!
For those of us within the prison
able to access it a recent TV
programme on BBC 4 showed
a very different aspect of prison
life.( To explain to our outside
readers, different areas within
the prison have access to
different television channels.
We have a very much restricted
access to what we watch in
the prison estate. There are no
Sky channels, despite what you
read in some press articles, and
a limited number of channels
that may be watched. Inmates
have to pay £1 a week for their
Television. If you realise that
the unemployment pay rate
in here is £2.60 per week it
puts it into context as to what
the cost of having a television
is for an inmate. We have a
prisoner’s council which takes
recommendations from inmates
as to what they would like to
have on their TV other than core
channels. A recent consultation
n means BBC 4 has gone!) )
Whilst we did have it, however
we were able to see a
programme what Penal Colony
Number 56 in Russia was like in
comparison to our own regimes
in the UK. In 1996 Russia
abolished the death penalty for
murder and replaced it with two
new sentences- 25 years or life!
260 inmates had been housed
in the colony. The regime they
had was markedly different from
those in the UK. The governor
of the prison was emphatic in
his views. He had been at the
prison for 26 years and said
“.They have a sentence, whilst
I have a contract”. As far as
the residents were concerned
“Some still have hope” he
explained and tried to maintain
family connections “Why bother
writing, its like a drowning man
clutching at straws”, epitomised
his views. We did go on to see
one family make a 60 hour,
5000 mile round trip for a four
hour visit. (The irst in ive years
and I suspect the TV crew had
enabled that to happen by
covering the costs).
Lifers are given their own cellsthey don’t have to share- but
they are not allowed to sit or
lay on their bed during daylight
hours. 24 hour surveillance by
cameras
ensures they
do not break
the rule. So
you saw
them walking
in a twelve
foot by eight
foot room,
backwards
and
forwards- it
reminded
me of early
experiments
on laboratory
rats that were
done in the early part of the
twentieth century. They were
left in their cell for 22 hours. The
one hour outside exercise was
again on in a courtyard with a
wire roof looking out at the sky,
the only sight they would have of
the outside world for the rest of
their lives.
Many mechanisms were
developed by the inmates as a
way of coping. One described
“Freedom for me is my inner
world”. In that world his body
may remain incarcerated but
his soul was free! For that is
all that you can experience.
Yet surprisingly there were
opportunities for video links to
speak to families, monthly and
the opportunity to visit once
a month. This was the only
interaction with other human
beings other than prison guards.
Unfortunately, many waited
years for a visit. After a family
visit one man explained that
“I’ll go back to my cell and ly
isit
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Until we were irst informed that our beloved son was being sent
to Haverigg, we had never heard of it and had no idea of its remote
location. After consulting the map and planning the route, we set
off on the two hour journey into unknown territory. Leaving the M6,
we drove through some interesting countryside, up and down the
dale until we came across the tiny village that’s close to the prison.
Here can be found a post
ofice/newsagent, a chip
shop together with two pubs
and a beautiful church. A
short distance through the
village lies a beach ( on the
on wings”. “When all you are
Duddon estuary) which hosts
doing is waiting, time stands still.
a children’s playground and a
People don’t know what they
beach cafe serving delicious
have in life until they’ve lost it.”
homemade food served by
A really poignant and moving
pleasant and obliging staff.
account of the reality.
For those on 25 year sentences
there was a different regime,
shred dormitories and meals
Video link with families, and
even Conjugal visits- three
days in three months for those
married. One man revealed he
has three children since being
incarcerated but has not seen
one of them yet. But there are
other disadvantages, a clearly
deined class system amongst
the lifers based on the nature
of the offences with the lowest
ones being treated barbarically
by others. The irst prisoners
are to be released from Penal
Colony 56 in a couple of years
time. How they will view the new
world they are being released
to would I’m sure be the next
documentary to be produced.
A row of wind turbines masks the intimidating view of HMP Haverigg.
With its two huge iron gates set in tall steel fencing, topped with
razor sharp wire, guarded by a mass of squawking seagulls who
seemed to convey the message “Our territory, keep out!” The car
now parked and a number collected,
we found the visitors centre. A warm
room with tables and chairs, reading
material in abundance, including the
prison newspaper (aptly entitled the
“Seagull”) with all the information and
rules to be observed, together with the
behaviour expected for the smooth
running of this establishment.
We were greeted by staff that went out of their way to make us feel
comfortable in such unfamiliar surroundings. Children were catered
for, with a small assortment of toys and seats for toddlers. Outside
the centre, a small farm shop sells fresh vegetables and newly laid
eggs together with a vast array of produce from the prison smokery
including salmon, mackerel, bacon and sausage, all of which are
competitively priced. An outdoor display of well constructed
wooden garden furniture ,ranging form lower tubs to garden
sheds is also on display, expertly crafted by prisoners beyond the
gates.
Identiication conirmed, we are escorted through the imposing
gates to be searched. The wardens are thorough, yet sensitive,
gentle in their nature for such a personal procedure.
Finally we can give our son a hug and cherish the next ninety
minutes that we have been given. Our visit was a revelation.
We can’t imagine what life is truly like for prisoners, but from
a parent’s point of view, we were treated with respect and
sensitivity by every member of staff from all departments and
have found the same consideration on every subsequent visit.
Marie C.
...manufactured to individually meet your requirement needs
Tailor-made garden
ornaments, hanging
baskets and planters
n Good quality framing and bordering
used in the construction
n Green mineral felt supplied
n 18mm plywood to loors and roofs
as standard
n We can manufacture an extensive range
of garden furniture, gates, wooden
signs and animal shelters to meet your
personal speciications.
All products can be supplied
stained or with a plain timber inish.
North Lane, Millom, Cumbria, LA18 4NA
If you would like to place an order, or if you
would like to request product information,
please telephone: 01229 713198
Local delivery and construction available
Prices are available upon request.
www.cropt.org
Page 8
It’s a sad fact that many
loved ones outside
don’t know about
support they could get.
for instance the
offender families
helpline
0808 808 2003
is a national helpline,
free even from a mobile
run by Action for
Prisoners Families and
Family lives. They offer
a listening ear advice
and support to anyone
affected by a family
members offending
from arrest through
courts, imprisonment,
community sentences
and release.
one Prisoners Partner
said;
For me they have been
a lifeline,
always there when
I have needed to
off-load,
when I just
wanted some
advice or
support
and didn’t know
who else to
turn to.
It’s not always
that easy to talk
to people out
here
because of the
stigma of crime
and imprisonment.
Just to know that the
helpline is there for
people
like me has been
invaluable.
The helpline also have
a website
www.offenders
familieshelpline.org
with lots of information
and lealets to
download. For instance
there is really useful
advice about what
to tell children about
imprisonment.
maybe haunted by
the media and totally
overwhelmed by the
whole experience. To
be able to post on a
forum and get loads
of replies from people
who have been where
you are and survived is
invaluable. I honestly
don’t know what I would
have done without it.
If your loved ones have
access to a computer
then they may ind it
really helpful to join.
Prison Chat UK
www.prisonchatuk.com
The website has
all sorts of useful
information and
different forums about
release, IPP, Lifers,
Vulnerable prisoners as
well as a space to just
chat about daily life.
It’s is an on-line support
service run by and
for prisoners families.
It was started eight
years ago by someone
called Lorna Smith,
whose partner was
given a life sentence
and she found that it
was dificult to access
the kind of help she
needed. When she
inherited some money
she decided to put it in
to starting a website.
One of the former
moderators who still
regularly uses Prison
Chat UK said;
I think its especially
helpful at the beginning
of the sentence when
people are often in
terrible shock and
feel isolated, guilty
by association,
I can’t really talk to
my family about what
I’m going through and
I don’t know anyone
else in the same boat,
So being able to go on
Prison Chat and just
say how I’m feeling
and know people
understand has helped
me so much.
Lastly, prisoners
sometimes struggle
to understand what
their loved ones are
going through outside.
We asked the partner
of a prisoner what
her advice would be
to a prisoner wanted
about his family or not
knowing what to say to
them;
Try to listen without
judging.
Encourage
them to
look after
themselves
and get help
when they are
struggling. Try
not to put too
much pressure
on them when
they may be
inding life
dificult. It’s
very hard being in this
position and your loved
ones need respect and
understanding and may
be inding it hard to get
that outside. Encourage
them to take breaks
if they need them.
Although it’s easy to
get paranoid and feel
abandoned in prison
it’s better to talk about
those feeling calmly
and to listen to how it
is for your other half of
family.
We hope this
information may help
your loved ones after
all they are often the
people closest to you
and we know that
good family ties and
strong relationships
help people to stop
offending.
The Royal British Legion is a UK charity that has been helping
Service people past and present for 90-years and although their
needs have changed over that time the need for the work is as vital
as ever. The annual fund-raising Poppy Appeal and being for many
the nation’s perceived custodian of Remembrance, is probably what
most people associate with the Legion but they do much more than
this in providing year-long care for their people. Earl Haig founded
the Legion in 1921, three years after the end of World War One, to
provide a voice for the ex-Service community.
Over 380,000 members continue to ensure this voice does not
go unheard. The organisation has a commitment to the welfare,
interests and memory of the Service family - those who they feel
have made a unique contribution to their country and accordingly
deserve long term care as a reward. Any local veterans or veterans
in custody can contact:
The Royal British Legion,
3rd Floor Offices,
Station House,
Station Road,
Kendal,
Cumbria,
LA96RY
Telephone: 015394 734411
www.cropt.org
Page 9
Crossword
Poetry Reading Session
Stood together on my own
Myself was once golden but now I am chrome,
I still shine a little bit with thoughts of home.
They say we all stand together in here, all on my
own.
So I tried to call my people but no one was home.
My jails like bowling on a green thats a dome,
or trying to swim in lippers hand crafted from
stone.
But I keep my head up and my eyes on the prize,
and thats hard to do when the truths blocked with
lies.
So as I march on looking up to the sky,
smile on my face and you may never know why.
So I asked myself is this all a test?
If so I give thanks for so much, I’ve been blessed.
Sometimes I feel like my life is a train wreck
in slow motion but in reality its insigniieant
like a tear drop in the ocean
I pray to the Lord I need this break
I dont know how much more of this shit I can take
why do these people act so fake
all they really are is just snakes
am I just a name or just a number
cant wait to end this jail time slumber
forget your slangs and jail talk codes
let me tell you a little piece of me on the road
fresh on road I have done my green mile
no more Corrie or Jeremy Kyle
sitting in a pub beers in our hands
just been paid sitting about a grand
knowing this paper is going to expand
as I look around this pub friends on my left family on my right
one hell of a beauty rite in my sight
Black Jez
5
2
7
8
4
9
3
6
1
9
3
6
7
1
5
8
2
4
6
4
3
9
5
8
1
7
2
1
7
5
3
2
4
9
8
6
2
8
9
1
7
6
4
5
3
3
6
8
4
9
7
2
1
5
7
9
2
5
3
1
6
4
8
4
5
1
6
8
2
7
3
9
6. Skyfall
7. Paparazzi
8. Parliament
12. Insurance
14. Provisional
16. Benedict
17. Pay As You Earn
18. Jacobs Creek
20. Lewis
22. Wooden Heart
23. Breakfast
24. Bide Your Time
24
8
1
4
2
6
3
5
9
7
Down
23
6
7
4
5
8
3
1
2
9
22
5
1
9
7
4
2
6
3
8
21
2
8
3
1
6
9
4
5
7
19
20
7
5
8
9
1
4
3
6
2
18
4
2
1
6
3
8
9
7
5
17
9
3
6
2
7
5
8
1
4
15
1
4
5
3
9
7
2
8
6
14
16
8
6
2
4
5
1
7
9
3
12
13
3
9
7
8
2
6
5
4
1
11
1. Taxi Fair
2. President
3. Harry
4. Wrongful
5. Scapegoat
9. QWERTY
10. Comprehensive
11. Minimum Wage
13. PnE
15. Application
18. Jaguar
19. nineteenth
21. Exhausted
10
5
9
1
6
7
8
4
3
2
8
9
8
7
3
2
9
4
1
5
6
6
7
6
4
2
5
1
3
8
9
7
4
5
2
1
8
9
3
6
5
7
4
3
Su Doku Answers
9
6
5
7
4
2
3
8
1
1
2
Crossword Answers
7
3
4
1
8
5
2
6
9
1. Payment of journey (4,4) (8)
2. Set this to become a leader (9)
3. Hill prince of YBF (5)
4. Not the right conviction (8)
5. person blamed for the misdeed of others (9)
9. SLANG FOR A STANDARD KEYBOARD (6)
10. Thorough High school education (13)
11. Least legal amont (7,4) (13)
13. The “Lillywhites” (3)
15. Dedication showed to a form (11)
18. “How alive are you” Car Manufacturer (6)
19. Hole where Golfers drink (10)
21. Worn Out Emissions (9)
3
8
9
4
6
1
7
2
5
6. Family Home of 007 (7)
7. Lady Gaga Snappers (9)
8. Owls and politicians gathering (10)
12. Take out Just in Case (9)
14. Not a full license (11)
16. Last Pope to Resign (8)
17. Tax paid whilst you work (3,2,3,4) (12)
18. Australian Shiraz Cabernet and TV show. (6,5) (11)
20. Succeeds Morse in John’s Department store (5)
22. Elvis’s Carpentry Organ (6,5) (11)
23. Meal at Tiffany’s (9)
24. Wait for the future moment (4,4,4) (12)
4
5
6
8
2
7
9
1
3
Down
1
2
7
3
5
9
6
4
8
Across
Across
www.cropt.org
Page 10
For those of you in the prison
or visiting relatives, who are
not familiar with the local
area, here is an introduction
to this Cumbrian coastal
region.
Millom is a small coastal
town with a population of
approximately 7,000. It
has a number of cultural
features including The
Beggar’s Theatre, which
is a multi-function arts
base for local talent as well
as providing a venue for
touring theatres, stand-up
comedians etc. Run by Jakki
Moore, the venue also offers
a series of drama, dance
and drumming workshops
for children. Millom Network
Centre, based in the grounds
of Millom School, offers adult
education, business and
public meeting space, and
other business services and
Millom Museum is home
to vivid displays, including
a reconstruction of a drift
mine, recording this aspect
of Millom’s past.
The town has a statue
commemorating the town’s
iron industry - The Scutcher’,
(the man who stopped the
iron ore tubs with an iron
bar and his own strength),
which is by Colin Telfer
of Maryport, and is made
from a mixture of iron ore
dust from Florence Mine at
Egremont, and resin. The
plinth, with its sandstone
carvings, was designed
by Will Todd of Grizebeck.
The iron ore mining took
place in Hodbarrow, which
today is a major RSPB
nature reserve.bordering an
artiicial lagoon, a legacy of
the iron ore workings, and
where many species of bird
may be seen.
Poetry also played a part
in the cultural life of Millom
in the 20th Century. It was
in the town that the writer
Norman Nicholson was
born, and lived. A permanent
exhibition in the Museum
records his life and works.
The Cumbrian Heavy Horse
Centre in Millom is the UK’s
only specialised Heavy
Horse Riding establishment.
A small family run Equestrian
Centre unique in the use
of magniicent Clydesdale,
Shire and Ardennes heavy
horse breeds, for riding.
The village of Haverigg lies
on the Duddon Estuary a
short distance from the town
of Millom. It is a small seaside
ishing village tucked away
on the north-west coast of
England, with safe beaches
and children’s adventure
play features, making it
a good place to visit for
families with children.
During the Second World
War an airield, RAF Millom,
was developed on lat
coastal land at Haverigg.
This was an advanced
lying training station, mainly
for Observers and also Air
Gunners. Aircraft stationed
there were irstly the
Blackburn Botha and Fairey
Battle, then the more popular
and successful Avro Anson.
Post-war this became the
site of HM Prison Haverigg.
Haverigg has an extensive,
quiet Blue Flag beach and a
a restored lighthouse, and
is close to the Hodbarrow
RSPB nature reserve and
the 1000ft high fell of Black
Combe.
In 2003, the 7 tonne
sculpture ‘Escape to Light’ by
the world famous sculptress
Joseina de Vasconcellos
was installed near to the
Haverigg Inshore Rescue
station. It is dedicated to
all Inshore Rescue
Teams in the UK. If
you get a chance, a
walk on the beach
and a cup of tea
in the cafe is worth
doing!
l
u
f
r
nde
Mill
o
W
’
ns
w
o
om T
Millom Town the Place to be
If you want peace and tranquility
Lush green ields and a golden beach
Lakeland’s fells within its reach.
Our heritage built on iron ore
Men’s names stooped in old folk lore
The relics of history
Our museum will keep
Where visitors call to take a peep
Nostalgia there lies within
Showing the way that life has binWalks are a plenty
Over hill and down dale
Nothing but beauty to your avail
Diversity has helped the town to last
Enriched with the memory of its past
Rugged are the locals
Friendly and vocal
Upbeat, honest and true
Living as one, in the way that we do.
www.cropt.org
Page 11
e
c
i
o
V
r
e
s
U
n
o
Background
History
User Voice was founded in 2009 by
Mark Johnson, an ex-offender and
former drug abuser, best-selling
author of Wasted and social
commentator.
Mark’s experiences of prison, and
later as an employer of ex-offenders
and consultant, left him convinced
of the need to create a model of
engagement that is fair and incentive
led.
His aim was to foster dialogue
between service providers and
users that is mutually beneicial
and results in better and more
cost-effective services.
User Voice received its charitable
status in 2010 and has already
undertaken a range of projects with
social services, the secure estate,
drug & alcohol services, probation
trusts and prisons, as well as
focusing on speciic groups such as
young people who are excluded or
ex-service personnel.
What do we do?
User Voice exists to
reduce offending.
Our work is led
and delivered by
ex-offenders who
consistently foster
dialogue between
users and providers
of services within
the criminal justice
system.
Our job is to
provide ways that
enable
unheard
voices to make a
difference, to urge
policy-makers
and people with power who make
decisions to listen.
“Offenders need to take responsibility
for their actions, especially so when
they have resulted in direct harm to
others. This is important because
although there are structural
inequalities that may restrict or
diminish personal choices, choices
can be made at particular points in
time and acted on and behaviour
can be changed. This is where User
Voice is particularly well placed in enabling prisoners to ind a way
through some of these structural
and personal challenges. “
Professor Graham Towl, Durham
University, UK
Why Work With Us?
» Together we can break the cycle
of re-offending, save money and
improve lives.
•
We have a tried and tested
model for offender engagement
with proven results. Crime damages
people’s lives: the lives of victims,
their families and - whether we admit
it or not -the lives of offenders. It
blights communities, increases fear
and costs society a huge amount.
• The overall cost of the criminal
justice system has risen from 2%
of GDP to 2.5% over the last ten
years.
• A former prisoner who re-offends
costs the criminal justice system an
average of £65,000 up to the point
of re-imprisonment; it then costs an
average of £40,992 a year to keep
them there.
• In the UK, 75% of young people
re-offend within two years of their
release from prison.
• The cost of re-offending to the
UK taxpayer is an estimated £11
billion a year, proportionately higher
than the US or any other European
Union country.
The stubbornly high levels of
re-offending represent a failing of
the criminal justice system. In light
of far-reaching and severe cuts to
public spending, it is even more
important than ever that public funds
are used to greatest effect.
“The consequence is that more
and more offenders have been
warehoused in outdated facilities
and we spend vast amounts of
public money on prison. But no
proper thought has been given to
whether this is really the best and
most effective way.of protecting the
public against crime. “
Justice Minister, Kenneth Clarke
MP, June 2010
How Does User Voice Work?
We believe that to reduce offending,
those people who commit crimes
need to become part of the solution.
Reducing crime is in the interests of
both offenders and society at large.
Yet, the people with the greatest
insight into the criminal justice
system - current and ex-offenders are rarely asked their opinion.
By not giving them a voice we
are ignoring an important asset
that could be utilized to improve
services.
Only offenders can stop re-offending.
User Voice believes that effective
engagement with those involved in
crime, in prison or who have been
in trouble with the law requires
an offender-led and delivered
organisation.
It is peers, people who have had
similar experiences, who can gain
the trust of, access to and insight
from offenders. That is why User
Voice exists.
“Reducing re offending works best
if offenders are motivated to want
to break clear of crime and given
practical help to assist them to be
successful. Those working with
offenders therefore need to really
understand the lives of offenders
and the problems that face them.
Organisations like User Voice,
drawing on ex offenders who
have been successful in giving up
crime, can help staff to understand
offenders better and ex offenders
can successfully draw on their own
experience to help others.”
Phil Wheatley, Outgoing Director
General NOMS
The
process
of
engaging
offenders
and
ex-offenders
through
the
User
Voice
approach plays an
important part of
the rehabilitation
process.
When an individual
gets
involved
with a User Voice
project, it is often
the irst time that
they have been
asked what they
think and felt their voice has been
heard and valued.
User Voice recruits talented
ex-offenders to carry out frontline
work. This has a profound impact on
their self-conidence; it transforms
their
long-term
employment
prospects, and is a chance for
them to play a hugely positive role
in society. Its also ensures that we
practice what we preach and makes
us better at what we do.
“Prisons are full of individuals
who want to change hut think they
can’t, or lack the courage or skills
to try. Enabling those individuals,
who are lost in the system, meet
past offenders who have changed
successfully is one of the most
effective and inspiring things I have
ever seen in prison. User Voice has
provided a unique model of inclusion
which has had a profound impact on
a wide number of offenders looking
for a way out.”
Barry Greenberry, Former Governor
HMP Isle of Wight
Unity’s Recovery Academy and Peer Navigator
Scheme
December 2014
By Helen, Lee, Mick & Mark
HMP Haverigg’s Recovery Academy is a new
initiative which came into place in September 2014
as an extension of the already successful GMW
Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s community
version based in Manchester. It provides a range
of educational courses for people with mental
health and substance misuse problems which
focus on supporting people with their recovery and
promoting good health and wellbeing. The courses
are useful for people looking to increase their
knowledge and understanding of mental health,
improving their mental wellbeing, or simply wanting
to meet new people while learning something new.
The courses are co-written and co-delivered by
professionals and people with mental health or
substance misuse problems in order to recognise
with equal importance both professional expertise
and lived experience and promote our philosophy
of shared learning.
To achieve this Unity have recently employed two
Peer Navigators to work with the services as part
of this project. The role involves working with staff
to deliver interventions and connecting with service
users to aid and support them in their recovery.
They promote recovery, health and well-being at
all times, using their own experience to develop
training programmes and actively engage with
activities lead by The Recovery Academy.
Mark, one of our Peer Navigators said, “I came
to Haverigg in July of this year and I heard about
this course that was taking place called Peer
Navigator. It took us three months of training which
was really enjoyable but also mentally draining. I
put that down to coming off methadone which was
really hard trying to take everything in whilst feeling
the way I did. But I had fantastic support through
Unity and my keyworker and also the Navigators I
now work with and that gave me a lot to focus on. I
am now engaging in all sorts of different courses to
help in my recovery and also to try and gain some
skills and experience as I am working to try to
become a drug worker when released.”
The Peer Navigators will be easy to spot around
the prison - they will be very visible as they will
be wearing high visibility tabards and staff and
prisoners alike are encouraged to approach
them with any questions or comments. The role
will enable other prisoners to be introduced to
the substance misuse and mental health teams
and the navigators will have access to a range of
information on who to see and how to access drug
and alcohol services within the prison.
Our Peer Navigator Mick said, “We believe that
the prisoner to prisoner approach will be a huge
success, as one person with a drug problem will
best understand another’s problem. The project is
going to have the power and strength to put people
on their recovery journey and most importantly to
give people hope for the future. Please feel free to
speak to us for advice when you see us around the
prison.”
www.cropt.org
Only for H.M.P
Haverigg
Prisoners
Answer all 25 questions correctly, for a chance to...
Circle your answer in the strip
at the bottom of the page, Fill
in the details on the right side
of the strip, tair off the strip
and post it to The Seagull Box
in the Libarary. Closing date is
25th April 2015
14. On the eighth day of Christmas, what did my true love
send to me?
A
Eight drummers drumming
B
Eight maids a-milking
C
Eight ladies dancing
1. What does the Statue of Liberty hold in her right hand?
A
An American flag
B
A torch
C
A tablet inscribed with the date of independence
2. Who founded the Volkswagen company in 1937?
A
Otto Volkswagen
B
Germany’s Nazi Government
C
Ferdinand Porsche
3. What is the smallest country in the world?
A
Vatican State
B
San Marino
C
Monaco
15. How many people make up a jury in Scotland
A
12
B
13
C
15
4. What is the square root of 36?
A
3
B
6
C
12
4 7
8
9 3
5
7
4 6
16. What English football club plays at The Hawthorns?
A
West Bromwich Albion
B
Birmingham City
C
Wolverhampton Wanderers
5. What English football club’s nickname is the Tykes?
A
Millwall
B
Barnsley
C
Grimsby Town
6. Three of the four elements are Earth, Air, Water, What is
the fourth?
A
Wind
B
Fire
C
The Heavens
7. Which planet is second from the sun?
A
Mars
B
Mercury
C
Venus
17. On the map of the London Underground, what line is
coloured yellow?
A
Circle
B
District
C
Central
7
9
7 1 4
18. How many hands has Big Ben?
A
8
B
0
C
2
8
6
7
3 2 5 8 1
1 8
2 5
8 4 3
6
2
8
8
9 2 3
8 9
4 6
9 8 1 7 6
1
4
9
20. In TV’s The Simpsons, who is Mr Burns’ assistant?
A
Waylon Skinner
B
Waylon Simmonds
9. How many points would a snooker player score for potting C
Waylon Smithers
a red then a brown ball?
A
3
21. What historical figure gave Britain its name?
B
4
A
King Arthur
C
5
B
Julius Caesar
C
Brutus
10. If you were in Amman, what country’s capital would you
be in?
22. In computer technology, what does the ‘R’ in RAM stand
A
Thailand
for?
B
Jordan
A
Random
C
Central African Republic
B
Radio
C
Research
11. Where is the CNN organisation based?
A
New York
23. What is the difference between a frog and a toad?
B
Atlanta
A
A toad is bigger then a frog
C
Washington, DC
B
A toad says ‘ribbit’ and a frog says ‘needep’
C
A toad walks and a frog hops
12. What company made the world’s first-ever personal
computer?
24. How many legs does a crab have?
A
IBM
A
Ten
B
Microsoft
B
Eight
C
Apple
C
Six
13. How much was a guinea worth?
A
5 shillings
B
12 shillings
C
21 shillings
3
1
6 7
3
19. Which of the following mammals is the fastest?
A
Cat
B
Human
C
Elephant
8. Who was the wizard in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy?
A
Merlin
B
Gandalf
C
Taliesin
3 7 4
8
5
6
5
4
2
5
9
3 6
6
7 9
6
1 9
2 6
4
9
5 2
1
4
8 7
3
8
6
25. Who became a Pop Idol in 2002?
A
Gareth Gates
B
Will Young
C
Darius Danesh
Su Doku answers on page 9
1.
A
B
C 6.
A
B
C
11.
A
B
C
16.
A
B
C
21.
A
B
C
2.
A
B
C 7.
A
B
C
12.
A
B
C
17.
A
B
C
22.
A
B
C
3.
A
B
C 8.
A
B
C
13.
A
B
C
18.
A
B
C
23.
A
B
C
4.
A
B
C 9.
A
B
C
14.
A
B
C
19.
A
B
C
24.
A
B
C
5.
A
B
C 10.
A
B
C
15.
A
B
C
20.
A
B
C
25.
A
B
C
name
Prison number
Location