Merseyside Community Rehabilitation Company 2nd Floor Cunard Building Liverpool L3 1QX 01442 295000 MCRCenquiries@interservefls.gse.gov.uk www.merseysidecrc.co.uk

CASE STUDY

“My dad left when I was sixteen and mum turned to drink. Drinking claimed her life in 1995. The grief claimed mine and I landed in prison.”

August 2017

KENNY Wilson, 35, spent over 15 years in and

out of prison and has now secured full time

employment at Rotunda Community College.

On and off probation since 1996, Kenny’s case is

currently being managed by Merseyside

Community Rehabilitation Company (M CRC).

Kenny was first arrested at 19 for driving without a

license or insurance and spent 18 months in prison

returning a total of six times over 15 years for

similar driving offences.

Kenny said: “My dad left when I was sixteen and

mum turned to drink. Drinking claimed her life in

1995. The grief claimed mine and I landed in

prison.”

With no family support after his mother’s death,

Kenny turned to cannabis to fill the void.

Kenny said: “I was alone after my Dad left and in

and out of hostels and children’s homes and pris-

ons all my life.”

He was arrested for the last time in 2012 for

supplying class A drugs to feed his family and

support his cannabis habit.

Leigha Aldridge, M CRC case manager, said: “I

had a real concern about Kenny re-offending.

When he came to me with concerns about his

order, I referred him to Rotunda so he could

complete his unpaid work hours and use the skills

he learned in prison.”

Kenny obtained numerous trade certificates along

with sports hall training and peer mentoring

diplomas from Manchester College.

He said: “I stayed in prison as a peer mentor an

extra six months to help others inside see a way

out. I got my head down to turn my life around.”

On his current case manager Leigha, Kenny said:

“Leigha helped me get a flat which was more than

any case manager had ever done before.

“She really listens to me and takes an interest in

my life. She treats me like an equal. She has al-

ways done that extra bit to make a difference.”

After completing his unpaid work order at Rotunda

Community Campus, Kenny continued on at

Rotunda as a volunteer. CEO Maxine Ennis was so

impressed with his progress she offered him full

time employment in the café as a chef.

Maxine said: “Kenny is a whirlwind; he brings so

much energy and enthusiasm to Rotunda.

“He can turn his hand to most things - gardening,

maintenance, catering - a real asset to Rotunda

and very much a part of the team.”

About Rotunda, Kenny said: “I have always felt

supported here. They do a lot of things for the

community.

“The café is a great place for people to come if they

feel lonely.”

Kenny added: “It’s been a hard graft but I also credit my current partner Rachel Fairclough for all her support through the rough times.

“I can go home knowing I have contributed to the community. I want my kids to be proud.”

CASE STUDY

“He can turn his hand to most things —gardening, maintenance, catering — a real asset to Rotunda and very much a part of the team.”

Revolving prison door closes for serial re-offender as job opportunity opens serving the community