Zoe Kennerson
19/8/2013
One is a social concept constructed on the understanding that hard
work and behavioural change can reap benefit and reward, however is
dismissed by many who doubt evidence of its existence…..the other is a
fictional character created to encourage compliance.
So do we believe in rehabilitation?
Do we believe in change?
As an ex-offender and an ex-addict I believe! I believe that I am evidence that
people can change, and that not only does rehabilitation exist, it is possible.
I began working for User Voice in October 2012 as a Programme
Manager on a Peer Mentoring Project. It was during this work that I began to
wonder if others shared my belief and recognised the potential in people and
the power of change.
Criminal Justice Services seek not only to punish people who break
the law, but to aid rehabilitation and support change. Surely for this to be achieved
we need to believe it is possible?
So is rehabilitation real or just
another myth like Santa
Claus?
We often hear people talk about change, reform, desistance and
rehabilitation. We see services strive to achieve and sell the benefits of
reform. But do they really believe in it, that it truly exists?
Mum’s, Dads, Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles all tell their young
children about Santa. “Be good” they say, “Santa is watching!” They
spend lots of money on presents (to hide and pretend Santa delivered) and they
prepare for his arrival on Christmas Eve. Like those trying to support people
to rehabilitate, a lot of effort and energy is put into Santa, all the right
things are said and done, but his actual existence is still dis-believed. A whimsy
for children who know no better!
So how do we make people believe? Not just say they believe, but actually believe! We show them. We show them
that not only does it exist, it works!!!
Through my work at User Voice I have been lucky enough to meet
lots of rehabilitated “ex-offenders” who have made changes to their lives and are committed to helping others to do
the same. My role includes training and supporting peer mentors to provide
a service to people in the Criminal Justice System. I see rehabilitated people
on a daily basis and my observations tell me that rehabilitation is real! I am
fortunate enough to be in a position that enables me to see past the statistics.
The people I work with are evidence of change, the living proof!
Not only have they been successful in not re-offending, but they offer hope and inspiration to others who wish to change.
It is human nature that if you are going to try something new
(always a daunting prospect when hard work is involved), you look to others who
have already done it, to give you some advice and guidance. Surely it makes sense that this opportunity
should be available for those looking to stop offending. Having a peer
mentor who has rehabilitated and understands the dynamics of change can be so
beneficial for marginalised individuals who want to change. I work with peer
mentors who on a daily basis make a conscious decision to live their lives in a different way.
These people are thoughtful, insightful, reflective, self-aware, sharing and
hard working.
Peer mentoring is a powerful service that contributes towards the reduction of reoffending by providing an opportunity for people
to share their own experiences and support others who are in situations they
have experienced.
Peer mentoring in criminal justice services is the evidence base that change and
rehabilitation are possible.
Of paramount importance, peer mentoring is about belief. I like my colleagues at User Voice and the team of peer mentors I support, all believe in rehabilitation. We believe it, because we have lived it! And we believe that the people we work with can achieve it too….…
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