CEO's June Update: Time for Change

Welcome to our June update. As we continue to enjoy the recent warm weather, please remember to take appropriate precautions and look out for vulnerable individuals, particularly the young and elderly.

May was a notable month for us. A key highlight was our visit to the Old Bailey in London to attend the Justice for All series, which focused on justice for prison leavers. The session was well attended and featured an insightful panel. Lord Timpson delivered a compelling speech emphasising the importance of rehabilitation, alongside compassion and care. Please follow the link for further details.

However, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning remand and recall prisoners. In my view, these groups contribute substantially to prison overcrowding and require greater support, as well as increased funding for third sector organisations working with them. If change is going to happen, it has to start at the bottom, and the bottom is Recalls and Remands. Let's look at what brought them to this point in their lives and unpick it, then let's go back even further and start the ball rolling earlier to prevent more from entering into this mindless battle of drugs, alcohol, crime, and broken lives. Better still, let's look at the third sector and give them the funding to do what they do best. Small charities are the backbone of the work done with prisoners, and it’s time for change!

On another note, two of our lovely Social Work Students, Ben and Kane, are finishing their placement with SP. They have both come so far since January, and we wish them well for their final year in becoming qualified Social Workers. Best wishes to you both.