Sometimes we don’t notice the good work that is happening right on our doorstep. How many times have we all walked or driven past Wetherby Young Offenders Institute and not noticed the small building at the entrance?
The building might be small but the work carried out from inside is pretty huge in its impact. It’s home to In2Out, a registered charity who work with the boys of Wetherby YOI specifically to reducing reoffending among young people between 15 to 21 years of age. They do this through mentoring and resettlement schemes.
Sadly, young offenders aren’t usually high on the list of people the public think are deserving of help. It can be easy to judge those who have committed a crime and taken a wrong turning in life. Many of the boys have, however, come from exceptionally difficult and chaotic backgrounds and unlike most of us, the support of family is not something that can be taken for granted. For many, there is no family support near-by, if any at all.
Transitioning to outside life is hard and the In2Out mentors begin working with the boys about three to six months before release. Life in jail is relatively simple. It offers a stability and routine that many of the boys have never experienced before. Inside, they have their own room, three meals a day, and access to education and exercise. Once outside, things are very different. In2Out help the boys with the life skills and practical things they’ll need in the outside world – from how to obtain a National Insurance number to opening a bank account; how to cook, clean and operate a washing machine to setting them up with probation appointments. They also help with finding accommodation, supplying them with clothes and of course, food.
This is where we get a call, usually liaising with In2Out volunteer Bernadette who contacts us every couple of months for supplies as the lads leave the prison. She says: “The foodbank is particularly good at supplying food parcels that cater to each lad’s circumstances. Many will be released to accommodation that might only have a kettle or maybe a microwave. It’s really important they can make something sustaining – even with limited kitchen equipment.”
The mentors provide continuing support during the first few weeks after release and even take along additional food when they meet up with the boys. Other key items the foodbank help with are toiletries. Personal care is an often-overlooked life-skill and the mentors help make sure the lads know how to look after themselves.
At Christmas, In2Out even provided a gift bag for every single boy at Wetherby YOI. The bags contained a mix of items from magazines to toiletries and sweets. We were happy to help out providing shower gel and selection boxes. Sadly, for many of the boys, this was the only Christmas gift they received.
The pandemic has meant things have been even more difficult. Not only did lockdowns mean no visitors but imagine the prospect of release during these times. A pandemic compounds an already difficult transition into a frightening and really challenging one.
The cost to society of reoffending is huge but In2Out are making a real difference. Incredibly, 72% of the boys on the In2Out programme don’t go on to re-offend. So while the financial cost of supporting offenders might be high, the cost to society of NOT supporting these young people is far greater.
You can find out more about the work In2Out do on their website, here.
