A Patron’s Visit: Witnessing the Impact of Advocacy Focus
A message from our patron, Jake Mills. One of the highlights of my visit was spending a day at the...
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We believe in Advocacy for All. By supporting prisoners in Lancashire, we are helping rehabilitate them and ease them back into the community upon their release.
With the right support, many prisoners are able to break from their cycle of criminality and drastically improve their chances of integration back into society. Statistics show that less than 5% of ex-offenders feel they were supported in prison and upon release re-offend.
People in prison or custody are entitled to advocacy support under the Care Act, in order to support their right to be involved in decisions about their care and support whilst serving a prison sentence.
A highly trained Independent Advocate will visit the individual at frequent intervals to ensure that their health and social care needs are met during their time in prison.
Our Advocates can also help ensure the continuity of care packages and support on a prisoner’s release into the community. This helps ensure a smoother transition back into society; successful rehabilitation back into society has been shown to lessen the chance of re-offending.
The Advocate will provide practical help and information that may otherwise be difficult for the person to access.
Advocacy Focus can also support individuals in Lancashire prisons who may have concerns surrounding their health and social care. An Advocate can assist an individual to overcome these issues informally or through organising a resolution meeting. If the individual is still not happy with the outcome of this, there is the option for an Advocate to support them to write a formal letter of complaint regarding their concerns.
A male prisoner was experiencing severe and prolonged dental pain, but was having difficulty in accessing a dentist due to not being listened to or taken seriously. After speaking to his Wing Representative, an Independent Advocate from Advocacy Focus was requested. Our Advocate visited the individual and listened to his concerns. Following a swiftly organised resolution meeting with our Advocate, a dentist visit was organised for the individual and, essential multiple tooth extractions later, the person we supported is now pain free.
Click here to download our Advocacy in Prison Leaflet
If you are a social worker carrying out an assessment in prison, please click the link below to fill in a referral form.
For all other enquiries please call us on: 0300 323 0965 or email: admin@advocacyfocus.org.uk
Make a referral