Annual Review 2009 - Nacro
Annual Review 2009 - Nacro
Annual Review 2009 - Nacro
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18<br />
<strong>Nacro</strong><br />
<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Review</strong> 2008/09<br />
Supporting<br />
prisoners<br />
situation outside. ‘I get them to open up<br />
and listen. Then I give the information to<br />
Colm [the <strong>Nacro</strong> HIAS worker], I’m his<br />
number two,’ says Grahame. ‘But I’m not a<br />
prison officer, so they can relate to me.’<br />
Once Grahame has had a chat with<br />
the new prisoner, Colm will assess their<br />
housing needs. If they’ve got a mortgage,<br />
he’ll contact their bank to see if it’s possible<br />
to delay payments, or if they’re renting, he’ll<br />
see if there are any arrears or debts. Then<br />
12 weeks before they’re due for release,<br />
Colm works with prisoners to ensure they<br />
have somewhere to live on the outside – a<br />
hostel, a local authority flat or supported<br />
housing. Thanks to <strong>Nacro</strong>’s HIAS service,<br />
95% of prisoners they’ve worked with at<br />
HMP Chelmsford since April last year left<br />
prison with accommodation to go to.<br />
Re-evaluating life<br />
‘For me what <strong>Nacro</strong> does in prison is<br />
fantastic,’ says Grahame. ‘Working for<br />
<strong>Nacro</strong> has allowed me to see how lucky I<br />
am; I have people on the outside. Many of<br />
these youngsters have been in and out of<br />
prison. They’ve got no support outside, no<br />
responsibilities, no interest in anything any<br />
more. They’ve got nowhere to go.’<br />
When he is released Grahame would<br />
like to help by telling his story to young<br />
people at risk of offending. Prison and his<br />
involvement with <strong>Nacro</strong> have made him<br />
re-evaluate life. He thinks that projects like<br />
<strong>Nacro</strong>’s HIAS can help others do the same.<br />
Aaron’s view<br />
‘I would have loved to have done<br />
something like Grahame is doing<br />
when I was inside. His job can really<br />
help prisoners. You need someone to<br />
work with you on your housing and<br />
help you find somewhere to go. It’s<br />
what you need most when you get<br />
out: a safe place to live.’<br />
‘I was always able to walk into work and<br />
leave my problems behind,’ he says. ‘When<br />
I leave my cell, I can do that working for<br />
<strong>Nacro</strong>. I’ve got a different background but<br />
my life collapsed around me. I can get the<br />
message through that people can work to<br />
change their futures for the better.’<br />
Grahame says<br />
prison has made<br />
him re-evaluate<br />
his life
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