Young, neglected and back: young men in prison - The Howard ...

Young, neglected and back: Young men in prison
“And course I’m stressed being in here. I’m not making it up
with my girlfriend, am I I’m not with my family. I’m not down
the pub seeing my mates. I’m not working. I’m not making
money. I’m not saving nothing. I’m not actually doing
anything towards my future in the slightest by being here.
That’s why I’m probably stressed.”
(Michael, age 20)
Introduction
This paper examines the specific needs of young adult men
in prison. Focus and direction on young adults has largely
been absent from recent developments within the criminal justice
system, despite the fact that since 2000, the legislative apparatus
has been in place to allow changes regarding how young
adult offenders can be dealt with. Subsequently, abolition of the
sentence of Detention in a Young Offenders Institution (DYOI)
has not been enacted; therefore young adults have been left languishing
in a political and policy vacuum for over five years.
This lack of strategic focus upon young people in prison has led
to the current unacceptable situation. Young prisoners are in the
unenviable position of being held in some of the most impoverished
regimes within the entire prison estate.
As enactment of abolition of DYOI is once again being mooted, the
Howard League for Penal Reform believes that it is timely to consider
how the needs of young adult offenders can best be met. Nearly 70%
of young men who leave prison will be reconvicted within two years
of their release (RDS NOMS 2004). Therefore, within any one-year,
at least 8,500 offences are committed by young adults who have
been failed by the prison system. Imprisonment fails to meet their
needs, or effectively tackle reoffending. Many of these young people
will end up back in prison on an intractable journey from community
to custody and back again. Finding alternative ways of working with
young adult offenders, which reduce the risks of reoffending rather
than exacerbating them, is necessary in creating safer and more
confident communities.
Out for Good
This briefing is based on emerging findings from the Howard League
for Penal Reform’s research project Out for Good. This is a largescale
research study involving in-depth interviews with 86 young
men, the majority of whom are serving short-term sentences of less
than 12 months. The young men are provided the time and space to
define and discuss their own resettlement needs. All the young men
were interviewed in the first few weeks after their arrival into prison.
Second interviews were conducted with those still in prison at least
two months after the initial interview. In total just under a quarter (20)
were re-interviewed at this point.
An integral aspect of this research is to follow up each of the young
men in the community. This allows us to ascertain: what impact
imprisonment has had upon them; what support they received from
the prison and probation services and others in preparation for
release; and whether their hopes and aspirations for life outside of
the prison walls have been met. This part of the research is ongoing.
To date 15 interviews have been conducted with young men
after their release, and, where appropriate their views have been
included in this report.
The key characteristics of those interviewed are:
The average age was 19 years old.
84 per cent identified themselves as white-British.
The average sentence length was 10.5 months, although the range
was from 4 weeks to 4 years.
Identifying needs
The young adults interviewed as part of the Out for Good research
project have significant concerns including: mental health problems,
substance misuse problems, homelessness, disrupted family
backgrounds, lack of educational qualifications, unemployment or
involvement in casual labour, and experience of care. The majority
came from significantly disadvantaged communities where offending
was endemic. Most had a family member who had been in prison
themselves. It is against this backdrop – of unambiguous social
exclusion – that these young men spent the early years of their lives
(Farrant, 2004). And, although officially now adults, their support
needs remain substantial.
The years 18–21 mark a significant period of change in the lives of
young people. How that transition is managed may have a marked
effect on their future life chances. For young people in prison, what
happens during these crucial years of change may mean the difference
between making decisions which will improve their lives and
encourage them to turn away from crime; or alternatively, continuing
to offend and spending considerable parts of their adult lives in
and out of custody. It is imperative that all agencies involved in dealing
with young adult offenders are clear about the specific needs of
young adults, how they can be met, and what impact this will have
on reoffending. This is in line with the stated aim of the new National
Offender Management Service (NOMS) which is ‘responsible for
designing interventions and services for offenders that are designed
to reduce reoffending and reconviction and protect the public.’
Interim findings from Out for Good
Nearly 1 in 5 young men reported that they were homeless at
the point of their imprisonment or as a result of being sent to
prison.
The number of reported previous convictions ranged from 0 to
41, the average was just under eight previous convictions.
60% had been in prison previously. On average they had been
in prison on two previous occasions.
Over half (54%) had not been in work prior to prison. 44% had
been in some kind of employment (be it casual, part time or
full time). Only two of the 86 young men had been in full time
education.
The average age at which a first offence was committed was
reported as being at 11 years old.
The average age of those who had been in prison previously
was reported as being 16 years old.
40% had no qualifications at the time of interview. 45% had
a qualification gained before prison and 15% had gained a
qualification whilst in prison.
24% had been in some kind of care.
54% linked their offending to alcohol use.
49% linked their offending to drug use.
59% reported that they were aware that a family member was,
or had been in prison.
32% were fathers, had a pregnant partner or ex-partner.
43% reported some kind of mental health need. 1 in 10
reported that they self-harmed, felt suicidal, or had attempted
suicide. 11% were on some form of medication, of which half
were on anti-depressants.