July 22, 2022 – James – not his real name – is one of HMP Oakwood’s success stories. He ended up in prison after carrying out armed robberies to fund his heroin addiction. Having recovered he now coaches other prisoners and is looking forward to release.
“I’m a completely different person,” he says.
“When my mum and dad came to see me they were so proud. They hadn’t told me that since I was a child. And my old boss is giving me a job.”
Campaigners have welcomed the expansion of the units, so long as they are properly staffed of course. Julie Muir of the Forward Trust warns that it only takes one prisoner with the wrong intentions to ruin a unit, so staffing and screening are key.
The Ministry of Justice says £120 million is going into this and other projects to tackle drug-fuelled crime.
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