Breaking the Cycle: Inside Out Support Wales’ Mission for Social Change

“I was diagnosed with dyslexia at 35, which explained some of my behaviour and attributes growing up, but back then I did not understand why I acted in certain circumstances” – Chris  Leslie, ex offender and Director of Inside Out Support Wales

Recidivism is a major problem in England and Wales. In 2021/22, some 24.9 per cent of those released from custody went on to reoffend, while in Cardiff alone, the level of reoffending was 37 percent for women and 41 percent for men. This is not only placing a heavy burden on the taxpayer but also poses a threat to community peace and security. In an attempt to address this problem, Inside Out Support Wales (IOSW) was launched in March 2019 by 3 co-directors: Marc Lewis, an accountant; Jamie Grundy, an independent author, researcher, and trainer, and Chris Leslie, who was jailed in 2014 for conspiracy to supply drugs and who turned his life around in prison by studying for a degree in Psychology. As Chris says, it can be extremely difficult to get back into society. Everyday tasks can prove challenging, leading some individuals to revert to crime, as they ‘return to what they know best’. Bernie Bowen-Thompson, the head of the charity ‘Safer Wales’, emphasises the need for more community-based services. ‘It is absolutely awful to think that someone might feel better returning to prison due to a lack of services” she says.

Accordingly, Inside Out Support Wales offers general and bespoke support to ex-offenders and works with those who want to start their own business, access higher education, or find employment. Specifically, they provide help with:

• The transition from incarceration to freedom, helping ex-offenders reintegrate into society
• Accessing and undertaking further and higher education by partnering with the Widening Participation team of the University of South Wales.
• Preparing and planning for self-employment, including support, once the venture has been launched.
• Job searches, CV writing, and preparing for interviews.

Additionally, they offer a novel youth mentoring service for anyone between the ages of 15 and 30, where the ex-offender can benefit from either being mentored or acting as a mentor.

As Jamie Grundy points out, these are innovative services that have not previously existed in the country, and by working with partners, they are aiming “to close the gap between employers, educational institutions, and people with convictions.” However, it has not been at all easy for them. During the COVID-19 pandemic, which started shortly after their launch in 2019, their pre-COVID business plan was no longer applicable, and they struggled to generate revenue and stay afloat. However, in May 2021, they contacted the Cranfield Trust¹ who worked with them to formulate a business development strategy and make their trading packages more “streamlined and efficient.”

They also introduced them to their networks, and the Wales Board of the Chartered Management Institute agreed to host a webinar on “Why Employ Ex-Offenders?”. This helped to raise their profile by promoting IOSW to business leaders across Wales.

With the increased exposure and a new business plan in place, however, the IOSW learned, in December 2021 that their £19,500 grant application to the National Lottery had been successful, while in 2023 they were a finalist in the Social Wales Business Awards in the “Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equality, and Justice Category”. According to their mentor from the Cranfield Trust, IOSW were like many of their ex-offender clients in that they “were on the right tracks and held the solutions to their own challenges—they just needed a critical friend to listen, affirm their plans, and give advice on actions they had not considered.” Meanwhile, Jamie is now confident that the work of himself and his fellow directors is “fulfilling our social mission to our service users, in the best possible way”.

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For Chris, who was only released from prison in 2018 and who had always had an entrepreneurial spirit but had channelled it in a negative way, the invitation to be a co-founder and director of IOSW was amazing. As he says, “I had always loved helping others that had had the same experience that I had had, and with this opportunity, I would get to do this in a more professional way”.

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Inside Out Support Wales (IOSW) significantly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 by supporting peace, justice, and strong institutions, directly addressing recidivism by aiding ex-offenders in their reintegration into society. The organisation also advances SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by facilitating access to employment and self-employment for ex-offenders, highlighting its role in promoting economic growth and employment opportunities. Further, IOSW engages with SDG 4 (Quality Education) through partnerships aimed at providing educational opportunities for ex-offenders, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. It addresses SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by offering targeted support to individuals from marginalised backgrounds, thus working towards reduced inequalities. The youth mentoring service reflects a commitment to SDG 5 (Gender Equality), providing support that spans gender lines, ensuring inclusivity. Lastly, by forming strategic partnerships and securing funding, IOSW aligns with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), demonstrating the power of collaboration in achieving sustainable development objectives.

Note

1 Cranfield Trust is a leading UK  provider of pro bono consultancy to charities and social enterprises.

Reference

Dunstan,  G., (2021),  Rehab in Wales: ‘Prison is the safest place for my mum’ BBC Wales. 6^th July

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