I know one man, late twenties when he led armed robberies, including a MacDonalds where children were present and staff as ever very young. He had been offending since age eight. Was a violent, scary drug user/dealer who had not responded positively to any of many attempts to get him on a better path. He was given a public protection sentence, ie with no release date.
I visited him months into sentence. He looked very well, presented as stable and able to effectively discuss difficult issues calmly and reflectively. As with so many like him, he brought certificates to confirm he was attending education and group work.
This was the first occasion I’d been in his company when he wasn’t behaving in a threatening explosive manner. I don’t know if he is still in prison. These sentences were always oppressive though welcomed by many members of the public.
I heard the sister of the mobile phone thief interviewed, he was a persistent offender with a drink problem. He’d lost touch with his family. His story is not uncommon. Many prisoners have mental health and substance misuse problems that see them isolated from family support. Many offenders were abused/neglected, dropped out of school or permanently excluded. Large numbers are illiterate, many it’s suspected neuro diverse- adhd, dyslexia etc,
Unsurprisingly many early release prisoners are back in hmp. Probation or other services unable to support them..
It needs money and long term commitment to prevention
