Contact us us for more information
info@restoresupportnetwork.org.uk
01392 346296 - Head Office & South-West Regional Office
Restore Support Network is a national registered charity providing personalised one-to-one support for older people in prison prior to release, as well as for those with criminal convictions in the community who are over 50 years of age with physical, mental health or social care needs.
WE NOW HAVE TWO NEW HELPLINES FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN PRISON OR AT RISK OF A SHORT CUSTODIAL SENTENCE
COVID-19 EMERGENCY HELPLINE: 0300 102 1032
HELPLINE FOR SEAFARERS AND VETERANS: 0300 102 1033
For more details see our Information and Blog pages.
Who we are
We represent the needs of older people with convictions
Restore Support Network is a national registered charity providing personalised support for older people with multiple and complex care needs due for release from prison. We also support older people with convictions seeking to live independently in their local communities without re-offending.
We represent the needs of older people with convictions
Restore Support Network is a national registered charity providing personalised support for older people with multiple and complex care needs due for release from prison. We also support older people with convictions seeking to live independently in their local communities without re-offending.
- We challenge the reasoning behind the rapid increase in the older prisoner population since we were established over 20 years ago. In 1998 there were 827 over 60s and by 2017 it was 4,430. This age group is now the fastest growing age group in the prison estate (Ministry of Justice, 2017).
- We find there is a ‘post-code lottery’ in the implementation of the Care Act 2014 across the prison estate, in accordance with HMPPS Adult Social Care PSI 03/2016. This is compounded when those with assessed care plans are discharged from prison without care and support being provided in the community by their local authority.
- We are particularly concerned over the recent trend in the number of people with multiple and complex needs appearing before the courts and receiving short custodial sentences of less than 12 months. They become trapped in the ‘revolving door’ cycle of the criminal justice system.
- Based on our previous experience we offer an alternative person-centred approach to the criminal justice ‘control’ model. We find our My Life My Care approach to meeting an older person’s health and social care needs offers a better chance to live independently in the community without re-offending.
- 2,632 have been in contact with Restore Support Network for advice and one-to-one support from 2008-2018; including advocacy/sign-posting to other services
- 396 with complex/multiple needs have received one-to-one support between 2013 and 2018 (intensive mentoring, peer befriending, meeting at the gate, provision of clothing, etc.)
- 47 Volunteer Peer Befrienders provided low-level support to 317 people
- 22 Volunteer Mentors with no criminal convictions have provided intensive support to 79 people
- Analysis of 41 who received one-to-one support revealed less than 5% re-offended or were recalled within the first 12 months following release
- Read more about our story