Jess: a new lease of life

When Jess came out of prison, it felt like the world had forgotten about her. Her parents couldn’t care less, she knew that. But all those professionals who’d been there to help her stay afloat in her deeply troubled life had gone. There was no one.

Apart from Catch22’s Inspire Resettlement Service, this specialist service of ours gets to know vulnerable young people in custody, and helps them find a job, training or even housing when they’re released.

When the system spat her out, Jess strung out her days wandering the streets, dossing around in the local snooker hall. She’d started to self-harm, and looked like she might go under.

Against great resistance, Catch22 managed to get Jess a council flat of her own, in a safe area. We helped her join a gym, start swimming, and enrol with a dentist and doctor. Then we helped her look at jobs. With the support of a grant she’s getting, Jess’s now going to train to be a qualified lifeguard.

Now it’s plain sailing for Jess.

Help us to support more young people like Jess, make a donation today.

Travelodge and HMP Askham Grange – leading the way in reducing crime

Jackie Lowthian, Nacro’s national policy development manager, looks at Travelodge’s decision to employ three women convicted of murder in one of their hotels in York.

HMP Askham Grange is an open prison for women, which works hard to build relationships with local employers. Travelodge is one such employer. But the hotel chain received a barrage of criticism in the national press recently for employing women from the prison. The spokesperson for the company said the women had proven to be dedicated and hard working individuals.
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