By Women Who Have Been In Prison, For Women Leaving Prison
There are far less women in prison than men in England and Wales. A great majority of women are imprisoned for non-violent offences. Many women lose their children, homes, jobs and family when they go to prison. Getting them back is a huge challenge. A high percentage are addicted to drugs and alcohol.
Release Mates Women supports women on the lead up to their release, before meeting them at the prison gate. We supply each lady with a bag of quality necessities such as toiletries, food, a phone, and clothes. After taking them for a hearty breakfast, we go to their day of release appointments with them before leaving them safely settled at their accommodation. The support does not end there - each lady we support is offered 12 months mentoring and should they want to, they can come and volunteer with us supporting others.
Ongoing Support
Our support does not end of the day of release. Each woman supported by Release Mates Women is mentored for up to 12 months after leaving custody. Our immediate focus is to help them resettle for around 5 weeks in the community. After that, we help make long-term plans to help with:
- Drug and Alcohol Support
- Families
- Employment and Training
- Accommodation
- Thinking and Behaviours
Abby and Kat from release Mates Women at HMP New Hall near Wakefield
Lived experience of the criminal justice system and addiction is at the very core of Release Mates Women. All our team have faced their own demons and have overcome them. With shared experiences comes hope. We know and understand just how difficult it is to be caught up in the cycle of addiction, crime, and prison. And we know how to escape it.
More than that, because our team have all been subject to similar traumas, we know how to empathise with women leaving prison. There is an immediate strong bond between us and the ladies we support
Release Mates Women Co - Founder, Abby Harland