transcendence-initiative’s Post

As an MP and the founder of Accessible Learning Foundation (ALF) , I've been on a mission to improve how we best identify and support neurodivergent people in prisons. Through speaking to prison staff, prisoners, and ex-prisoners, I know that this is a HUGE problem that needs changing. It’s sad that still in 2024, far too many neurodivergent people are not identified at an early age and miss out on the support they need and deserve, leading to a disproportionate number ending up in the criminal justice system. The stats are shocking - of children cautioned or sentenced for a criminal offence, 80% had a neurodivergent condition, and 57% of prisoners have a literacy level below that of an 11-year-old. I've engaged regularly with the Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk KC MP about the issue of neurodiversity in prisons and what can be done to improve identification and support for neurodivergent prisoners. It's brilliant that the MoJ is taking this issue seriously and has made significant progress in recent years. 📈 Just yesterday, they announced the amazing news that they have now placed a Neurodiversity Support Manager in EVERY public prison in England and Wales 🙌🙌 Yesterday, the director of Accessible Learning Foundation (ALF) Sarah, and I visited HMP Highpoint in my constituency to see first-hand the incredible work being done to help neurodivergent individuals. I'm so proud that supporting these people is a top priority for ALF, and we hope to make significant progress in this area moving forward. The Neurodiversity Support Manager at HMP Highpoint is making a positive impact by providing one-to-one support, training staff, and raising awareness. Just as importantly, the whole team at Highpoint goes above and beyond in understanding that people think differently, ensuring each neurodivergent prisoner is given tailored support that best helps them as they learn new skills and improves their chances of employment post-release. Their approach ensures that neurodivergent individuals receive the necessary support to improve their life chances. Well done to the team at HMP Highpoint—you are doing a brilliant job! Your efforts are making a positive difference to the lives of neurodivergent people. #Neurodiversity #PrisonReform #ALF #MoJ #Identification

Thought provoking for my teaching, instructing, coaching and multilingual skills in watersports activities that can be used in different ways.

It is welcome to see the prisons crisis top of the news. The last decade’s hard-line approach ignored the critical rehabilitation work of prisons and created a situation in which it became all but impossible to avert more lives ruined and money wasted.    https://lnkd.in/gMQSuT-X How might the new Government not only fix the immediate crisis, but rethink the prison estate as a civic asset for rehabilitation using skills and employment, not just a place to hide people away?   In 2014 I worked as part of an RSA research-in-action team to develop a policy and pilot project on the repurposing of MoJ land assets for rehabilitation. Over a period of 18 months we worked on site at HMP Humber to pilot a change programme within the prison and co-design a plan for the surrounding land with over 200 stakeholders. The result was a plan for the productive repurposing of MoJ land for skills and employment use, providing jobs for people leaving prison to help rebuild their lives. It was specific to that site, but with process and principles designed to be applicable anywhere. They are as relevant today as they were then and the need for them now is greater than ever.   For Government to effectively drive rehabilitation, it must use all of its levers of change. Public assets provide a unique opportunity to bring together private and public stakeholders around employment and skills to drive both rehabilitation outcomes and local economies. At Inner Circle Consulting we've strong experience in repurposing public sector assets to drive better social outcomes and would love to help tackle this challenge. You can see the original RSA work here: https://lnkd.in/gNuazSn3 Rachel O'Brien David Wilkie Alberto Urrutia-Moldes Helena Queiroz Pombares, FHEA Artemis Igoumenou Lily Bernheimer John Podmore #publicsector #regenerativeconsulting #prisons #publicassets #civicassets #rehabilitation

The substantial increase in prison investments raises crucial questions regarding its efficacy and the wider consequences for society, the economy, and the criminal justice system. Currently, 57% of the jail population is classified as having mental illnesses, and taxpayer dollars are being used to pay a hefty $636,000 per day ($232 million annually) to incarcerate individuals with mental health issues. In response to these concerns, the SBLM-designed Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery aims to tackle these issues by establishing a centralized continuum of care for individuals with serious mental illnesses. Previous jail diversion program outcomes have shown recidivism rates among participants decreased roughly from 75% to 20% annually. In short, the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery's approach diverts them from the Criminal Justice System to a facility where they can receive proper care and treatment and reduce taxpayer dollars invested in prisons: https://lnkd.in/eizf5wRi #prison #reform #Miami #mentalhealth #NYC #diversion #center #SBLM

“We're calling on the new Government to make a new start for mental health. And given the urgency of the situation in prisons today, the justice system is a crucial place for that action to begin now.” - Andy Bell We're pleased to see the appointment of James Timpson as minister of state for prisons, parole and probation. Prison reform is long overdue. Too many prisons are overcrowded and unsafe. And too many people leave prison with inadequate help for their mental health. Justice reform must mean comprehensive reform of the Mental Health Act, including a 28-day limit on transfers from prison to a hospital bed. Too many people wait too long for urgent treatment in a system that is antiquated and unfair. https://lnkd.in/ebzESzwE #Prisons #PrisonMentalHealth #PrisonReform #MentalHealthAct #MentalHealthActReform #NewGovernment

Fundamental reorientation of criminal justice called for by Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales, Charlie Taylor (HM Inspectorate of Prisons). In an interview on Friday with BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales, Charlie Taylor, emphasised the urgent need for a “fundamental reorientation” of the prison system. Taylor argued that education, training, and rehabilitation must become the primary focus to address the rising concern of reoffending. This call for transformation comes at a time when overcrowding in jails and the failure of current initiatives to reduce reoffending rates are becoming increasingly evident. Taylor's comments echo those heard at policy institute, Curia’s Levelling Up Commission as it held its final inquiry of the year focusing on crime, justice, and rehabilitation. Chaired by the former Shadow Minister for Social Care and Mental Health and Former Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, Paula Sherriff, the second panel focused on appropriate rehabilitation of offenders. Panellists included Director of Policy and Advocacy at Unlock - for people with criminal records, Dr Jo Easton and CEO at Circles UK, Riana Taylor. To watch the video from the inquiry session and to read more about what Taylor told the Today Programme, visit Chamber UK: https://lnkd.in/ej2387Jc #criminaljustice #criminaljusticereform #criminaljusticesystem #levellingup #prisons #ukgovernment #government #policy #publicpolicy #rehabilitation #inequalities

Fundamental reorientation of criminal justice called for by Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales, Charlie Taylor (HM Inspectorate of Prisons). In an interview on Friday with BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales, Charlie Taylor, emphasised the urgent need for a “fundamental reorientation” of the prison system. Taylor argued that education, training, and rehabilitation must become the primary focus to address the rising concern of reoffending. This call for transformation comes at a time when overcrowding in jails and the failure of current initiatives to reduce reoffending rates are becoming increasingly evident. Taylor's comments echo those heard at policy institute, Curia’s Levelling Up Commission as it held its final inquiry of the year focusing on crime, justice, and rehabilitation. Chaired by the former Shadow Minister for Social Care and Mental Health and Former Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, Paula Sherriff, the second panel focused on appropriate rehabilitation of offenders. Panellists included Director of Policy and Advocacy at Unlock - for people with criminal records, Dr Jo Easton and CEO at Circles UK, Riana Taylor. To watch the video from the inquiry session and to read more about what Taylor told the Today Programme, visit Chamber UK: https://lnkd.in/ej2387Jc #criminaljustice #criminaljusticereform #criminaljusticesystem #levellingup #prisons #ukgovernment #government #policy #publicpolicy #rehabilitation #inequalities

The "Good Apples" Fallacy in Federal Prison Reform: The narrative that the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is simply filled with a few bad apples amidst a sea of well-meaning individuals is no longer enough. Decades of documented misconduct, neglect, and abuse paint a grim picture of a system in crisis. We can't keep extending grace to a system that refuses to offer the same to those it incarcerates. Focusing on isolated incidents as the work of rogue individuals ignores the systemic rot that allows them to flourish. While many BOP employees undoubtedly enter the field with good intentions, good intentions pave the road to hell when paired with a broken culture. Tweaking a few programs and scapegoating a handful of individuals has demonstrably failed. It's time to stop rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. We need a fundamental shift in approach. Reform efforts must dismantle the very structures that enable abuse and prioritize the well-being of incarcerated individuals. Let's stop accepting the "good apples" myth and start demanding a system worthy of the people it holds. #PrisonReform #CriminalJustice #EndMassIncarceration #AFGE #FBOP #DOJ https://lnkd.in/esjmVtyD

Each year, more than 600,000 people are released from prisons across the US. Andre P. is working to keep people out of prison once they are released by helping them to find jobs, and access healthcare and education. Andre founded Untapped Solutions (Formerly ConConnect) (Techstars 2021) in 2020 to reduce recidivism and homelessness and to increase economic mobility through technology. Through partnerships with local departments of corrections, Untapped Solutions now has a presence in every US state. Andre's main focus is to further integrate the platform with social service departments, caseworkers and government agencies. “Humans alone will not solve the issue of helping people rehabilitate successfully. It’s also about capital, strong connections to government prisons, department of corrections, parole, and probation offices, and getting them to adopt this technology.” Read more about Andre's remarkable journey building Untapped Solutions in the Financial Times.

Our prisons can focus on rehabilitation, not just punishment! While losing freedom is a given, prisons should equip inmates with tools to reintegrate into society. Misconceptions about prison goals can create a hostile environment & worsen mental health, leading to higher recidivism rates. Let's invest in staff training & prioritize #PrisonReform for a safer future! #Rehabilitation #SocialJustice https://lnkd.in/eZ_fYMaK).