By Tess de la Mare, Belfast Telegraph Digital, January 2, 2020 The traumatic histories of offenders stuck in the prison system should be treated as a public health issue to break cycles of offending, psychologists working with inmates have said. But despite the often complex histories of violent offenders, in the UK’s squeezed prison system there are limited resources available for rehabilitation. Forensic psychologist Dr Naomi Murphy runs a five-year intensive psychotherapy programme for...

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/sep/11/yoga-prisons-crime-cut-reoffending The 46-year-old charity worker has been clean of drugs for seven years after breaking his two-decade cycle of addiction, reoffending and imprisonment. He now has a full-time job with the Karuna Trust , a charity working in India and Nepal, and he’s been out of prison for more than five years. He puts this down to the self-control he gained during his daily sessions of yoga and meditation while “inside”. “One...

The imprisonment of a family member can have significant and long-lasting emotional and practical consequences for those who remain on the outside. Stigma and isolation often ensures these families remain hidden from statutory services, and withdrawn from community support, increasing their vulnerability. Increasing awareness is vital to ensuring these families receive the support they need to overcome the potential impact on their mental health, financial stability and social wellbeing.

In this extended Law and Justice interview with Scotsman, Kevin Neary, founder of Aid & Abet, we discuss the challenges of safely transitioning from prison back into society, childhood trauma, addiction, offending behaviour, recovery, the need for comprehensive, relationship-based community supports where basic needs are met, the utility of the Adverse Childhood Experience evidence, neuroscience developments and the ACE Aware Nation movement in Scotland, the fact that his family were...

Physical activity and wellbeing strategies for young prisoners The Ministry of Justice has published an independent review of sport and physical education in the justice system, which was carried out by Professor Rosie Meek in partnership with the National Alliance of Sport and Clinks, a charity supporting the voluntary sector working in the criminal justice system. Recommendations include: every prison, young offender institution, secure training centre and secure children’s home should...

So having been on this training I highly rate it and recommend. I worked for a short time for a solicitors - attending both magistrates and crown courts on their behalf. As someone who attended court and relayed info between family members, I've seen first-hand the immediate effects a sentence. This training provided increased awareness of the facts and emotions for those involved. The stats are concerning. I cannot believe in this day and age that the state, who administer the sentencing,...