Offender Resettlement

“I’m so grateful that I’ve got that support because I don’t know how I would’ve managed on my own…”

Jarvis, LandWorks Graduate

Since it was founded in 2013 LandWorks has supported over 200 people serving community sentences and on day release from prison. We offer a full-time, comprehensive resettlement service with integrated support across a broad range of issues, at one location.

Working with each trainee, we develop a personalised resettlement plan that covers specific training and skills, alongside practical support for life after the project. This includes one-to-one counselling and substance misuse sessions, and practical support with housing, finances and future employment.

Placement lengths at LandWorks vary depending on needs and circumstances, but on average they last for about six months. Trainees attend the site for a full working-day, for up to five days a week.

LandWorks replicates a real working environment where accomplishment and achievement is valued. We offer a safe place to be vulnerable, a place to build trusting individual relationships, and above all, a chance to develop a non-criminal identity.

Outside LandWorks, support available for offenders locally is piecemeal and not joined-up. It requires people to keep to appointments across various locations, and engage with too many professionals with insufficient contact time to build trusting relationships. For those with chaotic lives, and little money for transport, it is almost impossible for offenders to engage with the support they need.

“Imagine trying to get your car fixed after it breaks down and finding that you have to take it to a different garage to fix each part. Even worse, each garage is in a different area and none of them share information, so you have to repeatedly explain the problem and fill out separate forms at each visit”

(quoted in Hudson et al, 2005, p.13)