For Professionals

“Language really matters.”

“There are many environmental reasons for offending. For me it stemmed from abuse as a child and also being diagnosed as autistic. We're not just ex-offenders. So having staff trained in basic autism awareness with regular retraining would be of huge benefit to many of us."

“Please become trauma-informed and treat everyone you come across with compassion and curiosity. The people you are coming across are still humans and need help to move through their shame, guilt and remorse.”

“Please give me really important information clearly and in writing. It’s hard to retain information when stressed.”

"My social worker told me my conviction would never be spent. What he meant was that it would always have to be disclosed. They're different."

"I want to share my experiences but I don't want to be taken advantage of."

"I wish there was more help out there."

“My sentence didn’t just punish me, it hurt my kids too!”