Real Life Stories (all names have been changed)

Lee's Story

When lads do our time we want people to forget about it not say there is that man he has just come out of prison, watch out! Because a majority of us do courses to better ourselves. We are forgiven in prison but why not on the outside in the community?

The first time I came to prison I got straight back out and was living the same life. I didn't want to change and you can understand people from the outside world thinking downwards towards me then, because I didn't want to change. But then the time on the 26th when I was released, I'd done every course that was set for me and every target to develop my thinking and my behavior skills and I got treated the way I was before I came in.

This is why I think the Community Chaplaincy project is great because with mentors we have got support beyond family. Someone who is always there for you whilst you have any difficulties. It's a great thing for broken families because lads with no families come to prison to be loved or take drugs to take the pain away, so a mentor could love them which is a great help.

It may seem odd that people come to be loved, but if they've suffered losses or made a mistake in life going on drugs, the family disown them so they just want love back so stopp to levels like prison to be wanted and to be loved. They feel lonley on road and don't get talked to.

People often think 'ex-prisoner he has to help himself' but that's not right as even big business men have financial advisers, and people pay therapists and counsellors. They are mentors too.

Well, I hope you've all listened to a prisoners point of view and understand what it's like for us.