Veterans in the Criminal Justice System (VICJS) – Case Studies

The Value of the RFEA Veterans in Custody Specialist Employment Consultant (VIC SEC)

RFEA VIC SEC – Colin Back

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David*

David left the Army four years ago and

struggled to settle into employment. Life dealt

him a blow when he was convicted of a criminal

offence and sentenced to two years

imprisonment.

The local Probation Service and the Prison

found it difficult to connect with him – he would

not open up to them because of his

embarrassment surrounding his conviction.

Colin Back, the RFEA VIC SEC was asked by

the Prison if he could offer David some

support.

Colin called David and they immediately broke

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the ice, chatting about the Army and previous

military service - something they had in

common. David was being released soon and

he agreed that Colin could visit him at home.

David’s house was a catalogue of his military

career, and it was clear to see he was very

proud of his time in the Army. After a long

discussion with Colin about employment

aspirations, David said he would like to work

repairing bicycles.

After finding a local course, it was identified

that David had no means to be able to self-

fund this. Colin suggested approaching The

Royal British Legion, but David was very proud

and would not even consider it. Colin and

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David continued to keep in touch.

Over the following two weeks Colin

approached the Officers Association (OA) and

the local Probation Service, who agreed they

could match fund the cost of the course.

Colin went to visit David for a second time and

all offers of financial support were again

rebuffed by him. However, Colin finally

convinced him that he was entitled to access

the support on offer.

The Officers’ Association’s representative then

visited David to go through the necessary

paperwork. David was extremely embarrassed

about the situation, but the OA’s

representative was extremely understanding.

Colin asked the OA if they would purchase a

new set of tools on top of the match funding -

they readily agreed to do this. Two days later,

Colin was able to tell David that the funding

had been approved by all parties and that the

OA were providing extra funding for his tools.

David successfully completed his course and

gained a City & Guilds Qualification in Cycle

Maintenance. He now has his own business and

is looking to employ another Veteran who has

been through the Criminal justice System.

Mark*

Colin first met Mark during one of the Veteran’s

Prison Forums held in the East of England.

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During the forums Colin highlights the various

forms of support that are available to Veterans

from the military charities, such as employment,

financial support, housing, welfare assistance

and training opportunities.

Mark had served 4 years of his prison sentence

and was due to be released. He had no

direction, did not know if he wanted a job and

was under pressure from his partner, who was

very worried that he would re-offend once

released.

Colin contacted the Armed Forces Champion

based at the local Job Centre Plus in the area

Mark was hoping to resettle. Colin was able to

identify that there was currently a lot of work

available in the Renewable Energy Sector.

Mark was in a category D Prison (which meant

he had access to the internet under

supervision). Colin and Mark discussed the

possibilities in the Renewable Energy Sector

and researched job opportunities on the

internet. They found a local training provider

who had spaces left on the next course, due to

start in 7 weeks’ time.

Colin approached The Royal British Legion

Civvystreet Website and applied for an

Employment Support Grant (ESG) on Mark’s

behalf. Civvystreet responded very quickly and

a grant of over £3,000 was confirmed and

secured. Mark was then allowed to attend and

complete a Solar Panel Installer’s Course and a

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Contact Us

Head Office RFEA – the Forces Employment Charity 12 Elizabeth Street, London SW1W 9RB Email: lblair@ctp.org.uk Phone: 07854 544066

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17th Edition Electricians Course during his

sentence.

With his sentence now almost complete, Colin

has managed to find him employment with a

company half a mile from his house – Mark and

his family are over the moon and feel very

positive about the future.

Ben*

Whilst attending another Prison Forum, Colin

found Ben another ex- Serviceman who was at

a loss as to what to do upon his release. He

was at rock bottom; his wife had left him, he

had lost contact with his children and he had

no employment prospects.

Ben and Colin established a rapport – Ben

opened up to Colin because he saw him as

someone who could understand his previous

military service and experiences. Colin

managed to locate Ben’s family for him and

passed over a message to them - they are now

in contact again.

At the next Prison Forum Colin and Ben then

discussed his employment options and Ben

stated that he wanted to work offshore on the

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Oil Rigs; he had previously been a welder but

needed further qualifications to be able to

restart this career.

Colin and Ben discovered he had Enhanced

Learning Credits (ELCs) from his time in the

Armed Forces (totalling £4000) he could use on

training. Ben used part of that money to fund a

Non-Destructive Testing Course and has also

submitted a second application to fund the

cost of an Offshore Survival Certificate Course.

Oil service companies located in the

geographical area that Ben wants to settle in

have intimated that, should he have all of the

necessary tickets to work offshore, they will

offer him an interview and possible

employment.

This opportunity and engagement with Colin

has given Ben direction and purpose.

Moreover, the contact he has been able to re-

gain with his family has really helped him to

recognise the importance of a support

structure upon release.

* The three case studies featured in this

brochure have had the names changed to

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