This is just the opening blog in a series looking at issues facing the newly released offender.  Let ‘s begin by thinking about being in prison, locked away from society, from home and loved ones, from work, pets and everything we value…

Prison is cushy;  “It’s just too easy!” or so we are told.  Every prison cell is equipped with Playstations, colour TVs and ensuite bathrooms according to national press.  I don’t know what prison that reporter was visiting but it wasn’t one I have visited.  Let me try to give you a bit of an insight into prison life and its effect on inmates.

Visits to my local prison are invariably both saddening and also inspiring.  Sad because I meet people who know well that they messed up and yet completely ‘fixing’ and putting right what went wrong is obviously impossible.  Some want to make some form of amends but doing so is hugely challenging.