About Us
Cornergate Foundation began in 2013 supporting prisoners and ex-offenders who could show us that they truly wanted to turn their back on crime and embrace a new way of life. We offer friendship, regular social activities, work experience, job-hunting, accommodation search and help to tackle addictions. Eventually we aim to open a house where prisoners returning to this area can be accommodated direct from prison, in order that they gain sustained and effective support from the day of their release.
Our roots are in the church and our passion for people in need comes from our Christian faith. That said, we have worked with prisoners and ex-offenders of all faiths and none and are privileged to do so. The only stipulation is that the individual is determined to turn their back on crime and engage fully with the services that we offer.
“Prison may follow crime…
but then what…?”
Stats to make you think:
In England and Wales some 84,500 are held in 140+ prison establishments
We lock up a higher proportion of people than anywhere else in Europe
44% of prisoners will re-offend within one year of their release (for people serving less than 12 months this figure rises to 59%).
It costs slightly more than £35,000 a year to lock up an adult in a prisons in England or Wales
Only one in four prisoners had a job to go to on release
[All statistics from Bromley Briefing - published by the Prison Reform Trust Summer 2017]
Rehabilitation cannot simply stop at the gate of the prison,
Outside is where the challenge begins…
Small Steps, Big Changes
With every small step new opportunities emerge, horizons broaden, focus sharpens, determination grows.
We believe in the old adage that “We will reap what we sow”…
… We sow with great care and we nurture what we sow.
Changing Lives & Changing Opinions
We are NOT dreamers but we are adept at helping people who may have lost hope to dream again. We believe in them, we challenge and we help the newly released offender to make a plan and to work diligently to that plan. When they stop, we encourage; when they want to give up, we challenge and we present opportunities to make personal change and go on again.