The organisation
The Revolving Doors Agency is the UK’s leading charity concerned with mental health
and the criminal justice system. In its work with vulnerable people who have been
arrested or imprisoned, the Revolving Doors Agency has developed Link Worker schemes offering practical
support to those in need. Its expertise in this field has led to it supporting other
organisations also working in this area, including offering training, needs assessments,
and evaluations that are able to deliver positive outcomes which reduce crime.
The programme
In November 2003 our Trustees agreed to create an initiative concerning short term
and remand prisoners which would invite proposals from a few leading charities working
in this field. The Revolving Doors Agency proposed a new version of their existing Linkworker Service,
which would provide support for short term and remand prisoners both before and
after their release from HMP Woodhill in South Buckinghamshire. This project ensures
that on their release, those prisoners are directed to a formal network of community services, ensuring a continuity of care and rehabilitation. The scheme provided
a successful model not only in itself but also for wider implementation across other
areas of the country.
How it fulfilled our aims as an organisation
The Foundation actively sought this application in an area
of special interest within the Social Welfare and Development sector: prisoners on remand. By creating
the necessary links to public services, accommodation and employment or training
opportunities before the prisoner is released, the programme is helping to avoid
exclusion and conflict for this vulnerable group by breaking the cycle of crisis
and crime. Ultimately, the Revolving Doors Agency hopes that this will help to reduce
re-offending and improve chances for people to lead stable and independent lives.
This multi-disciplinary approach, focused on the needs of the individual, is an
example of how agencies could work together to achieve public benefits and the findings
have been informing the development of the new National Offender Management Service.
How we helped
We contributed £85,000 to the Revolving Doors Agency over three years.
“I just bumped into them (Link Workers) on the wing and had a chat with them. And
when I went back to the police I knew who to speak to. My social worker at the time
said that they could not deal with me because I didn’t have enough psychiatric problems.
Probation weren’t giving that much help and then my licence expired so it was all
very problematic. I needed the support of you.” Former prisoner on probation.