Premier League Club’s Mentoring Program Aids Prisoner Reintegration

A mentorship initiative operated by a top-tier football club is positively impacting the lives of incarcerated individuals upon their release, according to one prisoner. The Saints Restart program, managed by Southampton FC’s charitable division, the Saints Foundation, aims to lower recidivism among inmates departing HMP Winchester by providing guidance and opportunities for physical engagement. During a visit to the correctional facility, Russell Martin, manager of Southampton, stated that the initiative was assisting inmates “reintegrate into the community”. A participant, among the 70 inmates engaged in the program, commented: “Without it, there would be a lot of people struggling.” In collaboration with various organizations, the Saints Restart program incorporates collective workshops, physical exercise periods, and individualized mentorship designed to equip prisoners with under six months left on their sentences for their return to civilian life. Commencing in September 2023, an ongoing eight-week series of workshops has addressed topics including securing housing, employment acquisition, substance abuse, familial connections, and psychological well-being. Official data from 2022 indicated that 67% of adults experiencing homelessness upon release from prison committed another offense within a twelve-month period. Among individuals employed six weeks post-release from detention, 17% re-offended within a year, in contrast to 35% of those who remained jobless. Russell Martin stated that initiatives of this nature represented a “massive responsibility” for the football club. “I spent a lot of time visiting friends and people in prison growing up,” he commented. “The power of something like this that the club can offer and attach themselves to is way beyond winning or losing a football match on a Saturday.” “Hopefully it can keep impacting lots of people’s lives.” Steve, aged 54, whose identity has been anonymized, is currently serving an 18-month sentence, having previously been incarcerated on three occasions. He remarked: “I was starting to get depressed and really anxious. “Restart has made me feel positive, it’s been that bridging voice, between us and what happens next.” Andy, another prisoner whose name has also been altered, stated: “You’ve got a routine [in prison]. Going back to daily life when you’ve got to stand on your own feet again – its a shock to anyone. “This gives you some guidance to help you on your way when you out.” “You can ask the questions that are needed – it helps you process things, these emotions and anxieties, that’s all going to help when you’re released.” He noted that the sports component of the program was “massive”. “If you are struggling to deal with anything – you can vent using sport, you can meet other people – it’s like a free medicine, it makes you feel good,” he further explained. The mentorship relationship extends beyond release, as exiting prisoners are met at the correctional facility’s gate and then escorted to sanctioned housing. The appeal of the football club is subsequently leveraged to maintain individuals’ progress and assist in disrupting patterns of recidivism. Jed Haney from the Saints Foundation commented: “The power of the badge is that everyone wants to be involved with a Premier League football team and upon release it’s a big carrot that can be dangled.“But, also turning up to watch games with their family – especially if they have children – taking them to a game is huge.” BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight can be followed on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.