Supporting Ex-offenders

The resettlement needs of ex-offenders are met under the seven pathways outlined in the Reducing Re-offending National Action Plan. Here, an effective multi-agency response is used to meet the specific needs of each individual offender in order to maximise the likelihood of successful reintegration into the community.

The Youth Empowerment Crime Diversion Scheme seeks to support Pathway Two ‘Education, Training and Employment’ and Pathway Seven, ‘Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour’ to reduce re-offending. It is the strategic aim of the scheme to offer employment opportunities to ex-offenders and for them to deliver YECDS interventions to young people. Further, ex-offenders will be offered accredited training opportunities through the scheme, giving additional support to their resettlement and rehabilitation.

A further unique advantage to the support of rehabilitation and resettlement is that the skills developed whilst working with Youth Empowerment are put into practise through activities the facilitator engages in with the young people.

Ex-offenders have to continuously reflect on their past and are constantly re-evaluating where they went wrong and exploring alternatives. This ongoing process is more likely to have a positive effect on their attitudes and styles of thinking.

Youth crime continues to remain high on the political agenda, both nationally and locally. In recent years there has been a shift towards preventive interventions which target ‘at risk’ groups who display proven dynamic risk factors which lead to offending and/or re-offending. The use of experienced ex-offenders in the delivery of crime diversion work has proved highly effective, as evidenced by the evaluation of Youth Empowerment services. It has become clear from clients that the unique dynamic has the ability to engage young people and enable them to identify with facilitators who have been where the young people are today. It has been this uniqueness that has meant that Youth Empowerment Crime Diversion Scheme is a product which appeals to many organisations.

To date Youth Empowerment has offered volunteering opportunities to five ex-offenders. They have benefited from the experience of working with young people and liaising with professionals from a variety of agencies in a community based setting.

One female ex-offender working with the scheme has said that ‘it gives me a sense of purpose to do something positive with all the negativity from my past. When we share our experiences you can see the young people thinking about their own lives – and that’s what we want them to do – think.’

Youth Empowerment Crime Diversion Scheme Ltd. Registered charity in England (1136013). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England company number 7142210. Registered office: 84 Coleridge Road, Cambridge, CB1 3PJ