Specialist centre has opened to help ex-offenders break cycle of crime and prison
- 19 Sep
Run by the St Giles Trust a new specialist centre offering help to ex-offenders wanting to turn their backs on crime has opened in Dalston.
The Elise Centre in Dalston Lane will offer practical advice and support to people looking for work and improving their skills and qualifications.
It officially launched last Wednesday and guest at its launch heard first-hand accounts from people who had overcome many barriers to rebuild their lives, reports Hackney Gazette.
One of these people included Frank Harris who spent decades in a trapped cycle of addiction, homelessness and crime, but has now put his past behind him and is studying criminology at university.
"I'm now evolving as opposed to being stuck in a revolving door," he said.
The centre opened six months ago after the transferral of funds and staff from ex-offenders support organisation Foundation Training Company to St Giles Trust.
The charity has trained and continues to train people with convictions so that they are able to provide peer-led support for other trying to successfully rehabilitate.
Rob Owen, the chief executive of St Giles Trust, said: "We're very proud to be able to make a difference in Hackney and look forward to helping 250 people turn their lives around this year.
"We really appreciate the support we've had from the local community, local partners and funders of the service - especially our cornerstone funder The Big Lottery."
The Trust aims to break the cycle of crime, prison and disadvantage and create safer communities by helping people to change their lives.
Related articles
- 11 Sep
Prisons told to adjust for older inmates
Ombudsman Nigel Newcomen says prisons will have to take on "care home and even hospice" roles in future, reports the BBC. He said: "It is remarkable that the fastest growing segment of the prison...
- 31 Jul
Charities are best at reducing re-offending
A report by charity thinktank New Philanthropy Capital has found that 28% of charity projects have helped to reduce reoffending compared to 19% of private companies, reports the Guardian.The report...
- 29 Jul
It could become illegal to deny offenders legal aid
It could become illegal to deny prisoners in England and Wales legal aid so that they are able to effectively challenge the conditions they are held under, rules the court of appeal, reports the...
- 08 Jul
Offender’s rehabilitation is delayed by legal aid restrictions
The court of appeal has been told that thousands of prisoners are being prevented from starting rehabilitation due to them being denied legal aid for parole board hearings, reports the...
- 17 Mar
New supported accommodation for ex-offenders in Birmingham
Trident Reach the People Charity's new Reach House has been built to provide 24-hour supported accommodation for young offenders to help support them getting back into the community after their...
- 12 Mar
Staff working with young offenders criticised
A report by three inspection bodies has said that staff aimed at helping reduce re-offending in young offenders are "too often suspicious of each other" reports the BBC.The report, by the Care...
- 19 Sep
Family homes are needed to help offenders re-offending
A study by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, HM Inspectorate of Probation and Ofsted had found that almost one in five prisoners did not know where they would be living once they left jail, reports Inside...
- 16 Sep
Ex-offenders ‘lacking home and job'
An inspection into resettlement provision for adult prisoners had followed 80 offenders after they left prison. Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick said that it found the role of a prisoner's...
- 16 May
Offenders placed in prison for a day in a bid to cut re-offending
The Centre for Social Justice has urged the government to look to the US where this approach appears to work. The report has said that a third of people given community sentences re-offended within a...
- 30 Jan
Inspection finds offenders with learning disabilities are not being supported
The inspection looking into the treatment of offenders with learning disabilities within the criminal justice systems was conducted by HM Inspectorate of Probation, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary,...
How to fund Housing Support and Social Care Services "Alot of information in a short time, good for me because I travelled a long way. So I feel the journey was worthwhile." C.T - People First Dorset
