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theRecord

Lets be inclusive

not exclusive

A possible solution to

re-offending

Andi is of the firm belief that inclusion is at the heart of preventing
re-offending. Read how his own experiences have shaped his views.

I had a childhood that was plagued with crime, poverty, drugs,
violence and adversity. This meant spending some time in care,
school exclusion and heavy drugs use at an early age.

I was convicted and sentenced to 18 months YOI at 17, twenty months
YOI at 19, four months at 21 and then two years as an adult at 22.

I have always worked in between these sentences and my offences were
alcohol or substance misuse related. I got work through recruitment
agencies and chose to never disclose my convictions. I believed that I
would get the job first and prove that I was a hard worker, then if they
found out, I’d explain that this was the reason why I didn’t disclose.

In 2007 whilst I was sweeping the floor in a warehouse I heard that the Leeds
Youth Justice Service were looking for volunteers. I thought I might be good at working with kids like myself
and help them avoid making similar choices and mistakes to me. I also felt it would help me achieve a career
I thought I deserved.

As I was going to be working with kids and needed to have an enhanced DBS check, I disclosed my
convictions. I explained that I had qualifications from prison but didn’t know how to put them to good use
and I managed to convince them to let me volunteer with the service. This was the evidence I needed to show
that I had the skills to turn my unfortunate life around.

Whilst volunteering, a temporary paid opportunity arose working as a support worker for a sport programme
in partnership with a local rugby club. I was amazed when I discovered that my application had been
successful and that I’d be paid to work with kids they said were ‘hard to reach’ when in fact they all seemed to
hold their hands out to me.

Staff at Leeds YJS saw how well I worked with the kids and how we formed relationships based on trust; we
spoke together, related to each other and perceived the world in a similar way. It wasn’t long before I was
offered the chance to be a sessional worker; although this meant I didn’t have the security of a contract, it was
a risk I was happy to take.

18 months later, a full time job became available and, confident that my skills and knowledge were

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