Prison Leaver Support

Here at Aspire we’re not fussed about your past – we just want to work with you in the present to help you build yourself a better future. We've been working with people who are in custody or have recently left prison for years, and we can give you the specialist support needed to find employment, training, work experience or education.

Our "Through the Prison Gate" project works to reduce re-offending across Oxfordshire and the wider Thames Valley by supporting prison leavers to build up their skills, training and confidence, find jobs and housing.

While you’re in custody, we can:

- Offer a pick-up service to collect you from the prison gate
- Meet you inside before your release to help you plan for the future
- Help you set in place a constructive, positive routine to put into practice on your release

Once engaging at Aspire, we will:

- Give you real work experience with local employers
- Give you tailored, one-to-one support to improve your employability
- Help you get qualifications and access training and cover your expenses
- Help you find paid employment opportunities and secure housing through our supported accommodation if needed

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Suhail started his placement with Aspire’s enterprise team in December 2019 whilst in custody. With no housing support in place for Suhail when he was due to leave HMP Spring Hill, Aspire worked to acquire and cover the cost of temporary accommodation for Suhail while more secure housing plans and financial support could be arranged, preventing him from facing homelessness on his release from prison. Suhail is now living in supported housing in Oxford, and has worked with Aspire to find part-time work with a local company.

"Whilst in custody, Aspire helped me to gain work experience with their landscaping and gardening team and I really enjoyed this work. Aspire have gone out of their way to help me, securing longer-term accommodation in Oxford and finding furniture for my room, following my custody release. They have helped me to find a part-time job, so I am now settled and appreciate everything done for me."

Get in touch

For more information, please contact Dea Merkaj at [email protected]