A YEARBOOK OF RECOVERY HMP PENTONVILLE

Dear Reader,

The local Drug and Alcohol Partnership consisting of NHS Islington, London Borough of Islington, HMP/YOI Holloway and HMP Pentonville set out to improve integration between clinical and psychosocial services and reinforce the continuity of care between the community to prison, prison to prison and from prison back into the community. The partnership sought to achieve the following outcomes:

• Improve service provision to meet the demand of the population with substance misuse issues from stabilisation to recovery

• Increased provision of high quality treatment • Reduction of illicit drug use in prison • Increase demand for abstinence pathways • Increase referrals from the general population and hard to reach groups to treatment • Improve continuity of care and community engagement on release and to reduce

revolving door offending • Improved reintegration into the community • Improve health amongst substance misusing prisoners • Promote the culture of recovery • Improved reflection of service through data reliability

The first step was to carry out a comprehensive Health Needs Assessment (HNA) in order to understand the needs of those in contact with the criminal justice system presenting with substance misuse issues. The HNA reviewed relevant literature on effective interventions for identifying and treating offenders with drug and alcohol problems in prison, helped us to understand the population within each establishment and undertake an assessment of drug and alcohol problems amongst offenders. We also managed to map current models of care in HMP Pentonville and how they interface with community care models. As part of this process we also gathered the views and opinions of stakeholders which helped us to quantify the gap between current service provision, needs, best practice, effective interventions and national care standards for substance misuse.Using this information the Partnership then procured the psychosocial elements of the substance misuse service at each establishment, which resulted in Phoenix Futures being appointed as the provider. This has now resulted in a service that has demonstrated excellence in meeting our aims and objectives. Phoenix Futures delivers its services through extensive collaboration with a range of agencies to support service development and service improvement, as well as continuity of care arrangements whilst in prison and effective engagement post release and transfer to other establishments.

The service is now operating based on the 4 primary outcomes from The Patel Report (Prison Drug Strategy Review Group):

• Reduced drug use • Reduced re-offending • Improved health, social and relationship functioning • Increased employment and enhanced workforce skills

Phoenix Futures is now meeting or exceeding all key performance indicators and are demonstrating a commitment and delivery to service improvements and developments that are well beyond the contract specifications.

Service user feedback has been extremely positive and confirms that the services performance on paper is reflected in the experience of the users of the service.

Aly Valli Commissioner Health in the Justice System NHS England (London Region)

“Building Futures is a comprehensive recovery service run by Phoenix Futures, which works alongside the Healthcare team within HMP Pentonville. We bring about positive change in the lives of individuals, families and communities affected by substance misuse and believe that every person who is dependent on drugs and alcohol has the potential to rebuild their life. The Building Futures programme is designed to provide innovative and effective psychosocial intervention for substance using clients in a custodial setting.

This yearbook has been created in celebration of the one year anniversary of the Building Futures service. The creation of this book has been led by Building Futures service users and represents some of the hard work and creativity that our service users have undertaken within this year. The purpose of this book is to celebrate the recovery and success of our previous service users in order to motivate and encourage those of you who will engage in our service within the year to come. So please enjoy the content of this book and speak to staff to get involved in the creation of next year’s.”

Richard Levell Service Manager at HMP Pentonville

“We are delighted with the first year of the Building Futures service at HMP Pentonville and congratulate everyone who has taken the personally difficult steps towards a drug and crime free life.

As an establishment we continue to focus on the development of our substance misuse services but it is when men choose to engage with drug treatment services like the Building Futures service, take the path of abstinence and move to the Jubilee Wing that we are most proud.

Crucially much work still is taken forward within the prison, both to reduce drug supply but also to counsel substance misusers towards recovery. That support is given alongside the clinical input from Building Futures and the NHS on the two main units where we hold prisoners undergoing medical treatment for their addictions. However, it has been Jubilee Wing that has been the crowning glory of the substance misuse services at HMP Pentonville. The work the men have taken forward in partnership with Phoenix Futures (including the work that has been put in by our Jubilee wing prisoners on the yearbook committee), staff and managers at the establishment has been phenomenal. The amount of personal effort that has gone in, the discipline and courage is amazing. Given the short set up time and the fact that there are many obstacles to face is amazing to consider what everyone has achieved as a result of their continued efforts and commitment to recovery.

Thank you all for continuing to take part in your recovery whilst at HMP Pentonville and for working towards building each of your own futures!”

Gary MonoghanGoverning Governor at HMP Pentonville

Building Futures starts at HMP Pentonville1st October 2012

Drug Free Wing prisoner

Phoenix Futures (formerly CARATs) has been a massive help to me over the last 6 years and I can put my hand on my heart and say that if I never had their support I’d not be where I am now in terms of Recovery.

From my perspective it has been a helping hand throughout my sentence and continues to do so till this day.

The system has its faults but nothing and no one is perfect. After receiving an ISPP sentence back in 2007 I was at my rock bottom. I really thought my life was over until I sat down one day on A Wing in Brixton and spoke to someone from the “CARAT” team and I half expected someone dressed up in a carrot uniform was coming to see me and did think carrots! What is CARATS – some bunch of lemons who ain’t got a clue.

I was very much mistaken and once I sat and listened for the first time in a very long time I knew there was hope for me.

I was informed about NA/AA and all the courses on offer at Brixton and other jails, but I must admit it was a lot to take in.

I knew I had to dig deep and that it would be very hard taking a good look inside myself where the real problem lay.

After completing courses such as RAPt, P-ASRO, ETS (Enhanced Thinking Skills), Victim Awareness, I started to notice some small changes in my thinking, behaviour and started to question some of my beliefs as well but always went and discussed it with my worker at the time who would help me understand some of these changes and make things a little easier for me to understand.

I still ask for help today if I need it as that is the biggest tool I’ve learnt.

That is what Phoenix Futures are there for, advice and guidance. They can help put the tools on the table but ultimately it’s down to us, the individual, to pick them up and start to learn how to use them.

Sometimes our tools break or they wear out or we might use the wrong one but practice goes a long way.

From my personal experience if I were to think I’ve cracked it I’m cured, then that’s when the problems come back. So my advice is always talk to someone if there is a problem.

Phoenix Futures are there for help so use them.

Big thanks to the team who I know do a brilliant job here at Pentonville.

Thank you.

What Phoenix Futures means to me

To start off it was a bit slow picking up, but once it did get flowing I started to enjoy it though at times I did find it challenging, but also found a lot of support from Interventions Workers, who helped me understand that which I didn’t. I feel I have achieved a small step in the path I wish to follow and also in my recovery.

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Mentoring Skills Qualification launched for peer supporters

1st February 2013

What is the Mentoring Skills Qualification?

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The Mentoring Skills Qualification (MSQ) is an exciting opportunity that peer supporters are able to take part in. The MSQ is an OCN level 2 qualification in Mentoring Skills, which is equivalent to an NVQ level 2. The course is a four month long programme where our peer supporters learn about communication skills, co-facilitation skills, mentoring skills and practice. The programme is a great opportunity for our peer supporters and the hope is that it can be used to find employment as a peer mentor/supporter upon release.

Mother’s Day 10th March 2013

We celebrated Mother’s Day on 10th March 2013. Phoenix Futures held a

Mother’s Day competition in which we were asked to write letters to our mums.

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This Mother’s Day I’d like to share a bit of my life

with anyone who reads this.

My mother is a special person. Unfortunately my

father died when I was 16, and my sister also died

when I was 26 and my mother nursed them through

their illness with cancer, which was heart-breaking

to see, but my mother carried on giving her love. My

sister left 5 children behind who my mother brought

up and still looks after today. So my mother

brought up 5 children of her own and then brought

up another 5 children of my sisters. This is what

makes my mother so special, even when my mum

found out I was an addict she never disowned me.

She has always supported me, as she knows where

my addiction starts from, my mother has given

me and my family a very good life. We never went

without food and always were shown respect. To be

honest I really don’t know why I ended up the way

I did but all I know is that it wasn’t the way I was

brought up. Anytime I contact my mother she is

always there to listen to me and to help me when in

trouble. I love my mother so much, with all my heart

till I die, I really need to sort my life out and give

the love back to my mother she deserves. I know it’s

the drugs that make me that person, as if I didn’t

use drugs my mother would see how much I love her.

I hope I am making sense.

So yeah, mother I will love you and care for you till

the day I die.

Letters to our mums

For Mother’s Day we had a card making and cooking day to share with

our mums and each other

Just under 50% of our service users said that their Mum was their main support in their recovery.

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“The Family Support Service is based in the visitors centre at HMP

Pentonville and offers support to family members who have been affected

by a prisoner’s substance misuse.

Everyone in substance misuse services understands how addiction can

affect the whole family and it is estimated that for every substance misuser

in the family, five or six family members are also affected.

The Family Support Service recognises this and offers a non-judgemental

therapeutic service which explores how it’s been for the family members

whilst living with addiction of a loved one. The majority of family members

we contact are unaware that family services like ours exist and are so

grateful for the support because it has been about the substance misuser

for so long that their own needs and feelings have been ignored for years.

This service includes telephone support, one-to-one appointments in

the visitors centre (which can be before or after visits), drug and alcohol

information and referrals into community based family services local to

the family. This support can continue after the prisoner is released because

we understand that this is a time where they may need support more than

ever.

It is the Family Support Service’s mission to get family members into

recovery from addiction because they are affected just like the prisoner”

John Taylor Family Support Worker at HMP Pentonville

In the first six months of service delivery the Family Support Worker contacted our family members on 397 occasions to offer support

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The Family Support Service

Since October 2012 we have had Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings being run EVERY weekend on J Wing “

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In April 2013, we received 659 invitations for groups.

I went on the Hearing Voices facilitator training to try and gain a better understanding of the issues associated with this client group. I was lucky enough to witness the lady, who set up the Hearing Voices Group, talk about her years of hearing voices and how she manages to cope on a daily basis. I was interested to improve my own awareness around this difficult and sometimes stigmatised subject.

The group format works by the group talking about what is coming up from week to week for them, with the facilitator acting as a mediator rather than as a directive facilitator. This allows the group members to discuss their voices or other matters that are relevant to them without fear or prejudice. In the beginning the facilitator is mindful of the dynamics of the group, appropriately choosing to guide rather than direct the process. Obviously the group will discuss the impacts their voices have on their day to day living which the facilitators will help with and try to establish discussion points that might be useful to discuss with officers or workers without disclosing personal or confidential information. It is more about helping others to understand the difficulties this client group has to deal with.

The group usually starts with a check in and the idea behind the group is to hopefully get the clients to run the group themselves with the facilitator being the mediator who deals with any issues that might impede the running of the group, acting as a sort of caretaker.

I have found myself so motivated by the honesty and frankness of the sharing in the group and it is clear to see the benefit voice hearers obtain from being in this friendly environment.

The group had 5 members at one time and it is interesting to see the benefits gained from the group that meets every Friday at 2pm on the hospital wing.

Based on the comments and feedback from the current group members it is now an essential part of their prison life and a space in which they feel they can share with others about a subject which is usually taboo.

This group was set up with Camden Mind and we owe a lot to the hard work of Catherine Whittaker, of Camden Mind. Ray Ryan, Building Futures Intervention Worker is the hearing voices lead in the prison.

KevinInterventions Worker at HMP Pentonville

We had 134 comprehensive assessments completed in April.“ “

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Hearing Voices group launched 26th April 2013

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Jubilee Wing celebrate one year of being in HMP Pentonville

31st May 2013

Between April and June 2013 88% of us said we found the group sessions useful, 91% of us said we found the sessions easy to understand and 89% of us said we enjoyed the sessions!

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Smart Recovery launches on Jubilee Wing and F Wing

1st June 2013

Between April and June 2013 we had 1000 group members attending groups

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We celebrated Father’s Day with an open group and

creative session

Since setting up SMART Recovery groups on the 19th June we attended two groups every week on F and J Wing“ “

In July 2013, our peer supporters co facilitated 22 groups.

In July 2013, 86% of us were assessed with an initial care plan drawn up within three working days of our referral being received giving us prompt access to support and group work.

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Peer support on F, E, C, D and J Wing

1st July 2013

Meet our peer supporters

We engaged in 227 initial assessments in July““

Who are our peer supporters?

Our peer supporters are based on F, E, C, D and J Wing. They offer a range of support to both

service users and staff.

Our peer supporters offer support, advice and guidance to those in recovery. The peer supporters

also co-facilitate groups with staff!

Drama therapy launches

2nd August 2013

Groups available to us...

We attend a wide range of groups to address many aspects of our recovery

Groups we attend cover a range of topics including harm reduction, drug awareness, managing emotions, dual diagnosis, social

skills, legal highs, relapse prevention, life skills and offending behaviour.

Poems of

recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Motivational Speaker account29th July 2013Written by a peer supporter on J Wing

This new scheme of having a speaker attend J Wing on the last Monday of the month worked really well and was very inspirational to hear. The speaker talked about his own history of being in prison and using substances within prison. But what really stood out for me was his progression from dishonesty to practising honesty in all his affairs, which meant not following other work mates in taking stock from the work place to make extra (dishonest) money. His talk gave me a lot of hope that if I don’t put that first (drug/alcohol in my system) then anything is possible e.g. healthy relationships, employment, material things and basically a “life beyond” my wildest dreams with no more jail time! I’m looking forward to hearing other speakers who I know will keep me motivated to change. Recovery is possible for anyone who wants it and is willing to take on suggestions. I am 185 days clean today.

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In September, we started going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every week on E, F and J Wing

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We also have monthly Cocaine Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous motivational speakers“

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Written by a Prison Officer on the Drug Free Wing

It’s a challenge. Some people are more focused than others on their recovery but day to day working with people in recovery is good. I would say 80% of inmates really want to address their drug use. If you can stop in jail it’s a big help. The drug free wing is a good place for new inmates to practise staying clean inside.

Written by a Prison Officer on the Drug Free Wing

I like to see people change. People on the drug free wing have stopped using - I can tell because we urine test them twice a month! But honestly, I can really see a change in the guys, their behaviour is good, and I can see that they have goals they want to achieve they all just have different ways of getting there. The drug free wing encourages them to be in recovery.

What it is like to work with people in recovery

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Well done to all who have started, and those who are already on their recovery

journeys this year!

Building FuturesOne Year

Anniversary 1st October 2013

I am extremely proud of the excellent work that has been achieved over the past year by our staff and service users and feel this book is a good reflection of what Recovery means to us. Thank you to the Yearbook Committee who have worked hard to put this book together.

The year has seen many developments and much progress. During the year we have expanded our peer supporter provision to cover the whole Prison. We have developed the Mentoring Skills Qualification to embed the practice of these supporters to offer peer mentoring to our service users. Service user involvement and coproduction of services is integral to our delivery and we believe the hard work and dedication of these peer supporters is fundamental to positive outcomes for all. The feedback we have received from our service users through feedback forms, consultation groups, wing surgeries and general discussion has steered the direction of our service and led to new interventions being developed, changes to the structure of our delivery and the expansion of additional provision on the various wings.

Recovery is not only about being free from dependency but also about rebuilding lives and looking forward to the positives ahead. Over the coming year we will continue to listen to your feedback to grow our service and offer the best possible provision. Our purpose is only achieved through the skills and dedication of our staff and service users so please keep up your hard work and continue to positively engage with all the service has to offer.

Richard Levell Service Manager at HMP Pentonville

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We would like to thank all of you who have been part of the Building Futures service this year including the Building Futures’ service users, Building Futures team (Case Managers and Intervention Workers), Richard Levell (our service manager), Aly Valli (commissioner), Martin Owens (Head of Drug Strategy), the Healthcare team, Mental Health team, officers at HMP Pentonville, CJ Williams and others at Phoenix Futures, Gary Dymond (former Head of Drug Strategy) and all of the agencies and organisations we have worked with throughout this year!

We would like to thank all of the yearbook committee who designed, created, inspired, contributed to and ultimately made this amazing yearbook: Ricky Rattigan, Daniel Dunn, John Vanner, Alex Brewer, Karl Maddix, Michael Watson (Jnr), Darren Forsythe, Peter Christie, Michael Watson (Snr), Suliman Ali, Kyle Adair-White, Bill McIvor, Caroline Brown, Shamsun Begum and Bea Wheeler. We would also like to thank all of you who contributed your artwork, poems, letters, ideas and experiences for the yearbook and to Vicky Holdsworth who turned all of this into the finished product it is today. We would also like to thank all prisoners and staff on the Jubilee Wing at HMP Pentonville and the rest of the Building Futures Team for your ideas.

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Phoenix House (operating as Phoenix Futures) is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 284880) and in Scotland (No. SC039008); Company Limited by Guarantee Number 1626869; Registered Housing Corporation Number H3795; National Housing Federation Member.