Catch22 is proud to announce a new service, ‘eXpand’, funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) in close partnership with the London Prisons Group. The eXpand service, which went live on the 3rd March, delivers tailored violence reduction support to men on remand in HMP Wandsworth and HMP Pentonville. This support aims to address the complex needs of remand prisoners while reducing violence both within prison settings and in the community.
With a rising remand population across the UK’s prison estate, Catch22 has seen first-hand the impact that this has on the custodial environment’s safety and levels of violence. In addressing some of these impacts, the program will look to prepare individuals for release, equip them with coping mechanisms, and increase pro-social behaviours by offering:
- Drop-in and on-demand support: A permanent remand support hub will operate on induction wings, providing accessible support. Outreach will also extend to non-induction wings through rotating pop-up hubs each week.
- Life skills development: Wing-based life skills courses, supported by prison mentors, will be delivered alongside in-cell workbooks to further enhance prisoners’ coping mechanisms and preparation for release.
- Tailored through-the-gate mentoring for high-risk individuals: For remand prisoners, Catch22 will offer mentoring to support reintegration and reduce the risk of reoffending. The mentoring program will ensure at least two face-to-face appointments post-release, focusing on individuals from specific boroughs where violence reduction is critical.
This service will be delivered in partnership with EY, Public Service Design Practice (PSDP), Genius Within and Intuitive Thinking Skills (ITS). This partnership reflects Catch22’s commitment to delivering impactful and evidence-based interventions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of those impacted by violence.
The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said:
Tackling and preventing violence in prisons is essential to reducing violence and reoffending when prisoners are released. Thanks to a £700,000 investment from the Mayor of London, the new eXpand programme will provide specialist support for men on remand in two of London’s largest prisons. By providing tailored guidance, skills development and mentoring, this vital new service will help men to reintegrate successfully into our communities.
The eXpand service marks an expansion to Catch22’s portfolio of custodial Violence Reduction Services and we look forward to working alongside MOPAC to create safer environments and brighter futures for those on remand.