Why Moving On is proving key to going straight

Social affairs correspondent

Tuesday 3 January 2012

A project run by the charity Action for Children has halved levels of reoffending among young men leaving prison.

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stephen naysmith

Statistics show that 74% of young men involved in the project did not return to prison within two years, compared with a national average of 50%.

The Moving On project supports young men aged from 16-21 as they are released from prison. Since 2008, when the scheme was launched running at HMYOI Polmont, HMP Greenock and HMP Friarton, 80 young men have taken part.

They are offered support with addressing basic problems such as finding somewhere to live, claiming benefits and registering with a GP, as well as more targeted support to tackle alcoholism, drug dependency and anger management. Funded by the Robertson Trust, the Paisley-based project then aims to provide participants with opportunities to develop new skills and gain work experience. It claims 72% of participants offended less through being involved in the programme and 21 secured employment; 10 enrolled in training placements and three went to college.Dave Wright, 21, has been involved in the Moving On project since he left prison at the beginning of May. He served three years for culpable homicide. He said: "After I was released from prison I was bored a lot of the time which made me want to drink – I was so used to being in a strict routine, at times I even wished I was back in prison. Attending workshops and appointments at Moving On gave me something to do and motivated me to think positively about the future. "Sometimes when I'm out and about I see guys I used to fight with – I was involved in gang crime and we fought over territorial issues. Now I just stop and talk to them. I don't hang around with the people I used to know. I have new friends and a completely different life – it has changed for the better." Qualifications gained through the Moving On project have enabled him to gain work as a scaffolder, the first secure full-time job he has ever held."I really enjoy earning money and being able to provide for my son, although being always being outside in the Scottish weather is hard. Moving On has helped me to transform my life."Paul Carberry, operational director of children's services at Action for Children Scotland, said: "Most of the young men referred to our Moving On project are serving short-term prison sentences. Research has shown that short-term prisoners have the highest level of social need and the highest rates of reconviction. This is often because very little work can be done in the short period of time they spend in prison. Moving On is effective in this regard because of its immediate connection with young men while they are in prison and its continued provision of support following their release. "Another reason for the project's success is that each participant makes it their own choice as to whether or not they engage with it – it's about individual choice. The results speak for themselves – 93% of prisoners who enrol on Moving On continue to engage with the project after leaving prison." Peter McLeod, director of social work at Renfrewshire Council, said: "The project has not only had a positive impact on the participants, but also on their families, who feel that their relationships have improved as a direct result of their partners, sons and grandsons taking part in Moving On."Assistant Chief Constable Ruaraidh Nicolson of Strathclyde Police described the programme as "highly effective".Mr Carberry adds: "Many young people leave prison with genuine hopes and aspirations for the future. We recognise that they need the right kind of support to effectively make that transition and become valuable members of society. By addressing issues such as self-esteem, poor communication skills and low aspiration, which are known to be factors leading to offending behaviour, we can help the young men we work with to make positive choices and transform their lives."

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Why Moving On is proving key to going straight

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