Prisons

My name is Russ Hall. I was a Custodial Manager at HMP Hull. Over the last couple of years I have witnessed the demise of drug teams and the psychosocial work they do in prisons. Having previously been the manager of a drug recovery unit, I knew I had to do something to support individuals that struggle with addiction.

I took it upon myself to research lived experience charities with the aim of using their expertise within HMP Hull. This is where my relationship with Five Lives, Fiona and her team began. I reached out to Fiona, having read many positive reviews from schools that they have visited, and asked if she could support me and the prisoners within the establishment. After some early conversations with Fiona, how will the sessions work (her team are 8 hours away from Hull) what format and platform could be used, we came to the arrangement that the team would deliver sessions to the prisoners within the prison via Teams and this would be supported by Fiona at her end and myself, or part of my staffing group, from mine.

Feedback from both parties was positive from the beginning and the prisoners not only took so much away from the sessions, they also felt empowered to start their own peer support group. Due to the success of these sessions, I was able to gain funding to have the team come in person to the establishment and deliver sessions face to face. This was also a massive success.

Every single prisoner spoken to by Five Lives gained hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel and if they want to achieve their goals there was only themselves stopping it from happening. I am hugely proud and honoured to have worked with such a special team and I hope I will be working with them in my new establishment.