Derek Gates: “I am living proof that you can turn around your life around. It can be done even when you’re still inside prison”
When we meet with Derek Gates, 43, at HLNY CRC’s offices in Hull he is already deep in conversation with Callum, a young offender under probation with HLNY after being convicted of drug dealing. Callum, a shy young man, struggles to make eye contact but Derek gently teases a response from him as they go…
Through the Gate: John finds a home thanks to Shelter
Humberside Lincolnshire & North Yorkshire CRC (HLNY) commissions Shelter to run the Through The Gate service across Humberside, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire. Through The Gate makes sure that each prisoner has a resettlement plan starting before their release to prepare them for leaving jail. Our aim is to make sure that they do not reoffend.…
Through the Gate: Shelter supporting Sheena back into the community
Humberside Lincolnshire & North Yorkshire CRC (HLNY) commissions Shelter to run the Through The Gate service across Humberside, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire. Through The Gate makes sure that each prisoner has a resettlement plan starting before their release to prepare them for leaving jail. Our aim is to make sure that they do not reoffend.…
Kirstie: ‘If my story and my role as peer mentor can help just one person, then I know I’ve done a good job’
Kirstie was sentenced to a 12-month community order and driving ban. Since then she has progressed well through her probation and now works as a peer mentor helping other through their induction and rehabilitation. Kirstie tells her full story here: “At my first visit court hearing I was so scared. My two eldest daughters came…
Richard overcomes problems to become a peer mentor
Richard was released from prison in December 2017 after 23 years struggling with multiple addictions and turning to crime to fund his habit. His lowest point came when his children were put into foster care by social services. It was then when a “switch turned on” inside him and set him on his journey to…
“I remember the day in court I was so frightened. I had never been in any sort of trouble in my life before”
Mon, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months and ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work on Community Payback in her home town of Hull. Since then she has discovered a new strength in her self and recently became a peer mentor helping other through their probation. Mon tells her…
“When I was first sent to prison I felt very low and wondered how I would cope”
Reformed offender Nevada Smith is hoping to branch out into a new career following completion of his arborist course. The 36-year-old, who was sentenced to 132 months and is currently on licence, has been awarded a grant from the Hardman Trust to fund his training as he completes his rehabilitation. The Hardman Trust aims increase…
“I supposed I was lucky in a way. I was put on remand for six months and that’s when I got involved in the women’s group”
Bridget Smith*, 26, moved to another town when she felt she was in with a bad crowd in her home town. “I think I knew if I stayed there I would go off the rails and needed a new start,” says Bridget. “I thought I might find that new start in in a new town.…
“I was sentenced to seven years in prison and I think it was the best thing that happened to me”
Four years ago Matthew Story*, 29, found himself in Crown Court pleading guilty to supplying class A designer drugs. Matthew said he had not been selling the drug but was looking after it for a friend but had supplied to friends at a party. The batch of drugs in Matthew’s possession was linked to two…
“If I am honest Community Payback was the best thing to happen to me at that time”
Mandy Warren, 28, found herself unemployed following a conviction for assault in her home town of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Mandy, who now has a full-time job in IT support in Lincoln, was handed down a 24-week sentence suspended for 12 months and 150 hours unpaid work through Community Payback. Across Humberside, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire people…