There are over 80,000 people in prison in England and Wales. Nationally, 45% of people leaving prison reoffend within a year, a number that has barely shifted in a century and costs society £18bn annually. Every month, thousands of young men are released with an £82 discharge grant and a plastic bag of belongings, expected to find housing, work and settle back into the community. We know that being released with little support and no plan for release only increases the chances of reoffending.

Switchback Mentors provide through the gate support to young prison leavers lasting as long as it takes. Only 9% of Switchback Trainees go on to reoffend. Having a frank, non-judgemental relationship with someone who is there for them on a daily basis helps our Trainees navigate different aspects of their life from relationships and finance to employment at our real work training partners. This offers the stability needed to navigate the turbulent transition from prison into the community.