Name of Client: CLIENT C

DOB: 1983

Date of Sentence: IPP – 2012 

Tariff Expiry Date: 2014

No of releases and Recalls: 1 

Last Parole Hearing: 2023

Release Date: 2024

Approved Premises: Somerset

Summary of Engagement with New Connections (NC)

First contact

CLIENT C’s index offence took place in 2011 and was given an IPP sentence and he expected to serve around two and a half years before he would be considered for parole. CLIENT C had undergone three reviews of his sentence since the tariff expiry date and two oral hearings before being released in 2020. He remained in the community for 16 months before being recalled due to poor behaviour relating to alcohol misuse.

At NC, our first contact with CLIENT C was in November 2022. By this stage, it had been a decade since his index offence, and CLIENT C was motivated to reintegrate into the community successfully. His next parole hearing was scheduled for the following year, which we were ready to support him through and beyond.

Parole

• Parole Hearing end 2023

Support Pre-Release

Before CLIENT C was released into the community, we had the opportunity to get to know him, discuss his future goals, address any concerns he had, and identify areas that needed the most focus to reduce his risk of recall. The use of alcohol and drugs had previously served as a disinhibitor for CLIENT C, so we knew that abstinence was vital for a successful re-entry into the community. We informed CLIENT C that we planned to work alongside his Community Offender Manager (COM) and other support services to locate suitable abstinence-based accommodation for him after his Approved Premises (AP) placement.

As CLIENT C had spent a lengthy period in custody, we recognised that adjusting to life in the community would be a challenge for him, as it is for many of our clients.

At NC, we recognise the importance of understanding our clients’ hobbies and interests. Many repeat offenders cite boredom and a lack of structure and purpose as the reasons leading them to engage in risky or illegal activities. We support our clients in embracing hobbies, engaging in voluntary work, and participating in community activities, thus building their social networks; all of these are crucial for reducing their risk of reoffending.

Release

The day a client is released from prison and the days that follow can be incredibly daunting, and we recognise that an intense level of support is sometimes required. At NC, we are always ready to respond to our clients’ needs, whether that involves phoning them to ensure they have arrived safely at their AP or meeting them in person at the prison gate to escort them to their next location.

CLIENT C was released to an AP in Somerset in early 2024. He was offered in-person support on the day of his release; however, phone contact was considered sufficient. We were able to confirm that he had arrived safely at his AP and obtained a phone for himself. In the immediate period following release, we introduce ourselves to our clients AP and inform them of our role and how they engage with us. It is essential to us that we collaborate effectively with all services providing support, ensuring we remain aligned and provide our clients with the best possible opportunities for a successful re-entry into society.

CLIENT C settled in well to his AP, engaged in AA meetings, and obtained a sponsor. We scheduled weekly video calls, which allowed us to see how motivated he was to make a change in his life and keep him on the right track.

Support in the community

Move-on accommodation was a concern of CLIENT C’s, as it is with many of our clients. He wanted to live in Exeter, so together, we were able to find him suitable housing that would offer him the support he needed. CLIENT C was enthusiastic about this as it would offer him a safe place to live for six months, with the goal of securing permanent accommodation afterwards. He was referred to Julian House through probation and underwent an assessment only around a month after he was released from prison.

CLIENT C found the weekly meetings with us extremely helpful and frequently expressed his gratitude for the support we provided him. He was very focused on his move-on accommodation at Julian House, as it was a crucial next step in his journey, and we were able to provide reassurance to him when he expressed concerns about not being able to obtain a place with them immediately after his stay at the AP. We collaborated with his COM and AP key worker to follow up on his referral and succeeded in keeping CLIENT C in a positive state of mind, which we believe is incredibly important.

Throughout his stay at the AP, CLIENT C made significant progress, taking substantial steps in the right direction; he actively engaged in AA/NA meetings, frequently interacted with his sponsor, and remained motivated in his rehabilitation. At NC, we always develop Care Plans with our clients, identifying factors that could lead to reoffending and pinpointing where they need the most support. This is as important for them as it is for us. Through our care plans, CLIENT C recognised the amazing progress he was making, and we were able to continue encouraging him on his journey to recovery.

In preparation for CLIENT C’s departure from the AP, we researched potential sponsors and meetings that would be close to the location of his new accommodation. Within a couple of months, he was settling in well to his flat, which he had secured for six months. CLIENT C was really pleased with this and continued to engage well with all the support provided to him, including daily contact with a sponsor, weekly meetings, a key worker, and our support. At NC, we believe that wrap-around support is crucial in providing our clients with the best possible opportunities for a successful reintegration.

Another area that we focus on with our clients is building positive relationships. We recognise the importance of fostering strong social bonds and building community connections. It can help our clients occupy their time, face challenges, foster pro-social behaviour, and provide emotional support and encouragement. Therefore, we took an interest in CLIENT C’s relationships and researched community groups and initiatives in which he could get involved.

CLIENT C seemed to be doing fantastically in the community, taking positive steps and remaining optimistic about the future; he expressed his interest in completing a food hygiene qualification, engaging in voluntary work, and studying for his theory test. We continued to have weekly chats and work alongside his COM, providing them with copies of the care plans we developed with CLIENT C to see if there was anything they thought would be useful to add.

As CLIENT C’s time at Supported Accomodation was nearing its end, we worked with him to find appropriate follow-on accommodation. Finding housing can be particularly challenging for our clients with a history of sexual offending, but we were committed to helping CLIENT C through this difficult stage. By the Autumn of 2024, a property had been secured for CLIENT C in his desired location; he couldn’t have been more pleased.

Current Situation

CLIENT C has demonstrated remarkable dedication since his latest release. He has been an integral part of the community for over a year now, fostering positive relationships through his attendance at various groups and workshops, as well as his active participation in his church. Because CLIENT C has been consistent in his engagement with support services and has shown how motivated he is to live an offence-free life, he has now had his licence revoked. Despite now living completely free in the community, he has expressed his wish for us to remain in contact with him, which we are more than happy to do.

For us, CLIENT C’s journey to where he is now represents a significant success. He has maintained the right mindset to embrace all the support offered to him; it has boosted his confidence and provided him with the opportunity to start afresh. We believe his engagement with our services has been instrumental in his current success. NC has been CLIENT C’s point of contact for almost 3 years; we have seen him through his final stage in custody, parole, his time at his AP, and his subsequent accommodations. We believe that this is what truly sets our service apart and can yield incredible outcomes for our clients.

Name of Client: CLIENT B

DOB: 1980

Prison: HMP Erlestoke

Date of Sentence: IPP – 2006

Tariff Expiry Date: 2010

No of releases and Recalls: 4

Final Parole Hearing: Summer 2024

Release Date: Autumn 2024

Approved Premises: Berkshire

Summary of Engagement with New Connections (NC)

First contact

CLIENT B was given an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence in 2006 for Malicious Wounding (Inflicting GBH). The offence was a violent assault driven by excessive amounts of alcohol, with which CLIENT B had been struggling before the incident. However, what CLIENT B has struggled with most in his life has been substance abuse. Since his sentence began in 2006, CLIENT B has been recalled to custody four times, each due to relapses in his substance use.

CLIENT B has a history of demonstrating stability initially, but after around 12-18 months, he starts to lose contact with his support network and relapses. He first heard of NC’s services whilst in custody and thought he would benefit from support post-release, particularly with his substance addiction. In spring 2024, CLIENT B was referred to us by a community probation officer. We were informed that CLIENT B has not committed any additional violent offences since his index offence and that all professionals supported his release; what CLIENT B needed assistance with was his substance use and his reintegration into the community.

Parole

CLIENT B was referred to NC only a few months before his next parole hearing, so our next step was to prepare a report for his hearing and offer our attendance if CLIENT B required it. In this instance, CLIENT B did not feel it necessary for an NC representative to attend his hearing; he was confident that the hearing would result in his release. The parole hearing took place in 2024, and CLIENT B’s Direction for Release came through in theSummer 2024.

Support Pre-Release

Once a date had been confirmed for CLIENT B’s release, an NC representative set up a care plan for him, which involved identifying the areas of support that needed to be targeted most for him to have the best chance of a successful reintegration. We gained some insight from CLIENT B about his goals and hopes for the future, as well as his concerns regarding his return to the community.

In addition to listening to our clients’ thoughts and feelings about their upcoming release, at NC, we also discuss the practical elements on which our clients may need support or advice. For example, many individuals who have spent long periods in custody struggle with tasks like setting up a bank account or obtaining identification, essentials for re-entering the community. CLIENT B needed assistance with both and also expressed interest in finding a mentor, which we supported as well. We connected him with the relevant details.

At NC, we recognise that many of our clients worry about being left to fend for themselves in the community, especially if they have a history of addiction. Since this was a primary concern for CLIENT B, we assisted him in finding an abstinence-based accommodation in the area where he hoped to rebuild his life. At CLIENT B’s request, we also researched clothing grants to help provide him with some essentials for his initial setup, which were provided.

Release

CLIENT B was released to an Approved Premises (AP) in Berkshire in Autumn, 2024. Once we had a location, we could begin to find AA/NA meetings nearby, an essential service for CLIENT B, whose recalls to custody have all been related to substance relapse. At NC, we endeavour to maintain contact with our clients’ Community Offender Managers (COMs) so that we can work together to provide the most effective wrap-around support. We believe that bridging the gap between professionals and services provides our clients with stability and reassurance.

At NC, we recognise that the day our clients are released from custody can be nerve-wracking, which is why we provide a contact number for them to reach out to us during this challenging time. We are proactive in maintaining contact with our clients during the first three months after their release, and we then encourage the client to take on the responsibility of this contact. This is because the first three months are typically the most difficult, and individuals then vary in the level of support they require afterwards. With CLIENT B, we contacted his COM to pass on our details. The first contact we had with CLIENT B after his release was in the Autmn 2024.

Support in the community

In the first month after CLIENT B’s release, an NC representative stayed in regular contact by phone. We took the time to get to know his hobbies and interests, as we understand how beneficial it is to create and maintain a positive identity and sense of purpose in successfully reintegrating into the community. CLIENT B is interested in staying fit and healthy, so we funded a gym membership for him, which he appreciated; he recognised the benefits this would have on both his mental and physical health.

Many of our clients are concerned about their long-term living arrangements, particularly if they have been unemployed for an extended period. CLIENT B wished to move to the Oxford area to be near his family, so we sourced abstinence-based accommodation in this area for him and also passed these on to his COM.

We enjoy face-to-face contact with our clients whenever possible. As one of our representatives was travelling through the area shortly after CLIENT B’s release, we offered to meet for a catch-up if he was interested. On this occasion, CLIENT B was unavailable; he had been spending time with his family, time in the AP, and gradually spending more time in the community.

By early 2025, CLIENT B completed his time at the AP and began residing in an abstinence-based accommodation in Oxford. We continued to support him in finding organisations that could assist him with clothing for future employment and provide funding for household essentials.

Disengagement

Contact with CLIENT B has been sporadic since his release. At NC, we recognise that all of our clients’ journeys are different, which means the level of support they require from us can vary. The goal for our clients is to live successfully in the community; therefore, promoting independence is a crucial part of the process. Many of our clients have appointments with other professionals, attend support groups, and have job interviews to prepare for, so maintaining frequent contact with us isn’t always manageable. That is why, at NC, we have check-in points at months one, three, and six, where we can tailor a care plan and monitor their progress.

Re-engagement

After an initial period of contact of two months CLIENT B slightly disengaged from our services, as he was integrating well into the community and felt confident, however it is to his credit that at month four he reached out to NC for support with follow-on accommodation from his AP, when often clients at this stage would feel isolated he recognised that we are a consistent source of support for him through custody and in the community at any stage.  At NC, we are reassured that our clients believe they can rely on us when faced with challenges. Without our assistance, CLIENT B might have struggled to find accommodation and could have potentially been recalled to custody. What we provide our clients with is a thorough understanding of their individual needs, along with a sense of continuity.   

Current Situation

To date, CLIENT B is successfully integrating into the community, leading a prosocial life and is engaged with NC and will continue to be as and when he needs our support.

Name of Client: CLIENT A

DOB: 1988

Prison: HMP Erlestoke

Date of Sentence: IPP – 2020

Tariff Expiry Date: 2026

Parole Hearing: 2024

Release Date: 2024

Approved Premises: Oxfordshire

Summary of Engagement with New Connections

First contact

CLIENT A was first referred to New Connections (NC) in late 2023. With an extensive criminal history, including assault and battery, CLIENT A required support through his parole process and beyond. From the beginning, it was clear that CLIENT A was enthusiastic about working with us; he was engaged, polite, and positive about his eventual release.

While CLIENT A was in custody, NC got to know him through video calls, phone calls, face-to-face visits, and documents related to his index offence.  We identified the areas of his life where he would require the most support, as well as his personal goals. We could answer CLIENT A’s questions about move-on accommodation, funding towards courses he was interested in pursuing, and benefits to which he would be entitled once released. We reassured CLIENT A that there was support for him on the outside and that we would be there to guide him through the entire process, providing comfort and helping us build a trusting relationship.

Parole

For most clients, their parole hearing is a daunting process. It might be their first hearing, and they aren’t sure what to expect, or they may have had multiple rejections, which have left them feeling confused and let down. CLIENT A’s parole hearing, his first, was rescheduled multiple times. He was clear that he wanted an NC representative present for his hearing, and we were able to support him throughout this process. Fortunately, CLIENT A’s hearing in 2024 went well, and in late 2024, he was pleased to inform us that his Direction For Release had come through.

Leading up to CLIENT A’s release, we provided him with our contact numbers so he could call us as soon as he was released. At NC, we acknowledge that the first few days post-release can be the most unsettling for our clients, and we want to provide them with as much support as they need.

Release

CLIENT A was released from prison at the end of 2024. NC contacted his Approved Premises (AP) the same day to introduce ourselves and arrange a phone call to see how he had settled in after a few days. In his first week out of prison, CLIENT A had almost daily contact to assist and support him with his return to the community and ensure he remained on track.

At NC, we are here to bridge the gap between our clients’ lives in prison and their future in society. As part of this process, we assemble bespoke Care Plans for them that are shared with the client’s Community Offender Manager and any additional services included in their care.  These care plans are then reassessed at the end of months 1, 3 and 6 using in-house assessment tools.  We will look at the following areas: Substance use, risk of recall, mental and physical health, housing, community, relationships and family, purpose and goals.  This information will be used to restructure the care plan and help the client set small achievable goals for the next day, week or month.

Many of our clients have spent a lengthy period in prison and are then released and expected to make their own way to an AP, often in an area they are not familiar with. They will be introduced to an entirely new group of professionals: probation officers, support workers, key workers, and AP managers. At NC, we strive to be that reliable and familiar individual who is present when needed to offer advice, reassurance, and support during times of crisis.

Support in the community

CLIENT A settled well at his AP and stayed in touch at least once a week by phone. He worked extensively with two of our representatives. As a client, CLIENT A could express clearly the kind of assistance he sought. Some clients may feel uncertain about the support accessible to them and the advantages of seeking assistance; we can provide guidance when this is the case. Some of the support CLIENT A wanted was:

•        Finding AA meetings near his AP.
•        Finding suitable therapy to help him with his PTSD.
•        Finding organisations that could provide him with funding for essentials/food vouchers.

NC was able to respond to all his queries, often on the same day. We contacted multiple trusts, agencies, and charities on CLIENT A’s behalf to give him the best possible chance for a successful reintegration into society.

Recall/Disengagement

Unfortunately, many of our clients struggle with readjusting to life outside of prison. At NC, we recognise that re-entry into society is rarely smooth, and success is not guaranteed. What we do guarantee for our clients is that no matter their journey, our support remains in place as long as they need it.

In 2025, CLIENT A was asked by another resident at the AP to have some money transferred into CLIENT A’s bank account (as the resident didn’t have his own). CLIENT A accompanied the resident to a cash machine to withdraw the money and was presented with two bottles of wine. CLIENT A had some of the wine and stated that “the next thing he knew, he woke up on a park bench, his tag had been removed, and he had lost his bank card and phone.” CLIENT A returned to the AP and explained the situation; however, a recall had already been issued, so CLIENT A packed a bag and left. 

While absent without leave, CLIENT A felt comfortable reaching out to one of our representatives to explain what had transpired. He was confident that he would not be judged. The NC representative provided empathy and support to CLIENT A and advised him to hand himself in as soon as possible.  At NC, we believe we provide a familiar and supportive connection for our clients, ensuring that when they encounter challenges or setbacks, they don’t feel hopeless and alone.

Current Situation

Despite this setback, CLIENT A (now back in prison) has reconnected with us and wishes to work with us again, which we are more than happy to do. CLIENT A has stated that he wishes to wait until the end of his sentence to be released and doesn’t wish to go through the parole process again. Whatever CLIENT A decides, we can provide support for him leading up to and after his release to give him the best possible chance at successfully reintegrating into the community. At NC, we recognise that everybody’s journey is different. We want clients to understand that we haven’t given up on them, even if they feel that others might have.