The Rubies Project at HMP Eastwood Park

RECOOP is a charity which promotes the care, resettlement and rehabilitation of older prisoners, offenders and ex-offenders over the age of 50, in particular but not exclusively through the provision of support services, advocacy, financial advice, mentoring on issues such as employment and training, and advice on housing and health, enabling them to take control of their lives and remain free from offending, and preventing them from becoming socially excluded. This paper focuses on the Rubies sessions which take place at Eastwood Park Women’s Prison by Alma Hageman, who is the RECOOP Project Officer there. This project provides a space in a quieter environment in the prison for the older women who are there on remand. The two-hourly gatherings are scheduled to take place twice a week and are intended to break some of the isolation and fulfill the need for companionship for these women. A range of creative sessions and purposeful activities are offered, together with relevant advice and information. The Corston Report (2007) highlighted the need for a different, more holistic approach in responding to women offenders. While there have been some constructive policy developments at national and local levels since then (see, for instance Howard League 2011, Ministry of Justice 2012), the Rubies project presents an example of the distinctive creativity and commitment that can be brought about by voluntary sector involvement (Roberts 2010). This paper will outline the positive aspects of this intervention but also explore the wider tensions and challenges inherent in the current climate of contestability and payment by results and the particular implications this has in relation to women offenders. References: All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in the Penal System, Chaired by Baroness Corston (2011). Second Report on Women with Particular Vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System. London: Howard League for Penal Reform. Corston, J. (2007). A Report by Baroness Jean Corston of a Review of Women with Particular Vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System. London: Home Office. Ministry of Justice (2012). A Distinct Approach: A Guide to Working with Women Offenders. London: Ministry of Justice. Roberts, J. (2010). ‘Women Offenders: More Troubled than Troublesome? , Brayford, J., Cowe, F. and Deering, J. (eds). What Else Works? Creative Work with Offenders. Cullompton: Willan.