European Social Fund in England

Crossroads Somerset 2

Name of Project: Crossroads Somerset

Provider: Avon and Somerset Probation Service

Measure: 1.2

Life is difficult for those leaving prison for all sorts of reasons, but one of the most important aspects of settling back into society and is finding gainful employment. Without this it is all too easy for ex-offenders to slip back into the criminal economy or to feel excluded and unable to progress in their lives.

It is for this reason that Avon and Somerset Probation Service is promoting a new scheme, known as Crossroads, which helps support and place offenders and ex-offenders who are considering the world of training or work.

Crossroads Project Manager Diane McAdam says

"Many offenders want to break the cycle of offending behaviour but find it difficult to do so without support. Much of that support can come from family, friends and Probation staff but those released after a short sentence (less than 12 months) do not have contact with Probation and may not have friends and family to support them because of the stigma attached to having a criminal record. The experience of custody can have a lasting effect on many people, reducing their confidence and self esteem and ability to re-build their lives.

In addition, gaining employment with a criminal record can prove difficult and understanding which convictions you need to tell an employer about - and how to do this difficult task - is a complex business: that's why Crossroads is here."

With around 20% of the working population having a criminal record, most employers already employ someone with a criminal record but they may not know about it. With support from Crossroads the employer can objectively assess any risk from employing an ex-offender and can ensure that they recruit safely and fairly from the widest pool of skilled labour. In today's competitive market, where recruitment of skilled staff can be an issue, this is an important issue.

As a single mum Miss S had struggled to cope financially and was sentenced to 3 months in prison after stealing thousands of pounds from her employer. It was the 24-year-olds first offence - and she promised herself when sitting in the cells of Eastwood Park Ladies' Prison in Gloucestershire that she would never re-offend.

Miss S, a former executive assistant was released on a tagging device after serving her sentence and suffered from depression and panic attacks. She said

"My crime was purely circumstantial - I was living on my own and supporting a child, doing everything on a rubbish salary. In prison I didn't cope very well and didn't mix with anyone. I spent a lot of time thinking about what I'd done and vowed to never to be so irresponsible ever again. When I was freed I wouldn't leave the house in case people pointed the finger and started screaming at me, and then shortly after I fell pregnant and took a year off to look after my baby.

I knew it would be difficult getting back to work - if you had two people with the same qualifications and one had a criminal record, who would you employ? I found it hard getting the confidence to apply for a job and when I got letters back saying the post was filled I would take it personally"

Kerry Hall, a Crossroads Employment Link Officer says

"I deal with anybody with a criminal record from all types of offences, from minor convictions to people who have been released from prison for more serious crimes. Criminal records can be a barrier for people getting back to work and one of the most important things we do is advise people how and when to disclose their convictions to employers. Crossroads gives support in different ways, offering technical careers guidance, CV and job search activity and financial support to assist with work or training related items."

However, even the best CV, experience and skills will not enable you to get a job if you do not have the confidence to apply in the first instance. Often the role of Crossroads workers is to help rebuild shattered self-confidence as was the case with Miss S.

Kerry Hall continues:

"Some people only commit one offence but this can have a huge impact upon them. It destroys their self confidence and they start to think that no-one will ever believe in them again. Miss S initially wanted to work a few hours a week because her confidence was so low but as she started getting more positive feedback she decided to work longer. We ended up finding an incredibly good employer who was willing to give her a second chance and we need more employers like that."

The Disclosure work that Crossroads undertakes is based on the clients complete Criminal Record so Employers can be confident that they are being given all the facts. In addition the process with an Employer can help them understand the circumstances and motivations that surround an offence and can also help them understand just how different an ex-offenders current circumstances can be. This can give them the confidence to give a person a second chance.

Importantly the Disclosure support that Crossroads gives clients can help them feel confident about talking to an employer about their criminal record in the first place and can re-establish their belief that there are second chances and that success is possible.

For more information, please contact

Diane McAdam

Crossroads Project Manager

European Social Fund

E-mail: diane.mcadam@avon-somerset.probation.gsi.gov.uk

Direct tel: 0117 9447246

Direct fax: 07917 464 550