FOCUS: Caring for ex-offenders was "a calling on my life"

Tuesday 14 June 2022

For nearly a decade, Mary Herve has been leading efforts to care for ex-offenders and help them reintegrate into society.

In the latest edition of CONNECT - Express' sister publication - Editor Matt Fallaize asked Mary, pictured top, why she does what she does, what inspires and sustains her and what she finds challenging about her work leading Guernsey Caring For Ex-Offenders.

MF: What is the role of Guernsey Caring For Ex-Offenders and how does it carry out that role?

MH: Our Vision

As a Christian charity, Guernsey Caring For Ex-Offenders (GCFEO) seeks to work across the local churches in facilitating the successful re-integration of ex-offenders (of any faith or none) into society.

Our Mission

Working collaboratively with other professional and third-sector agencies, GCFEO endeavours to support ex-offenders to live changed lives. We believe that by breaking the cycle of crime, individuals, families and neighbourhoods can be transformed.

Pictured: Mary Herve's work aims to benefit the wider community as well as individual ex-offenders.

MF: How and when did you become involved with the charity?

MH: I set up GCFEO in 2013, initially as a branch or Caring for Ex-Offenders UK. In 2015, we formed GCFEO as a registered charity in its own right due to the vast increase in our referrals from prison via the probation service and also trying to help people already released and in the community.

I am a volunteer Chaplain at the prison and GCFEO really started when a few ex-offenders contacted me for help after they had been released. The number of people requesting help just kept on increasing until I had to decide to give up my full-time job as a teacher and devote all my time to the work at GCFEO. I really sensed this as a calling on my life.

MF: You have given so much of your time to the charity over so many years – what inspires you to carry on?

MH: I’m a Christian and I think it is my faith that gives me the inspiration and strength to carry on. I could never have imagined how the work of GCFEO would change and develop over the years into what it is now.

I am delighted that we now have our own dedicated premises in St Peter Port, where we can offer various workshops to people when they leave prison. This side of the work has really developed and we now have two part-time members of staff dedicated to making this facility available to people Monday to Friday.

We offer group sessions, one-to-one sessions and do lots of craft activities, including painting, woodwork, gardening, sewing, small items of furniture upcycling, mosaics, gel printing and much more. Seeing people gain in confidence, take part in meaningful activity and enjoy a sense of community are just some of the reasons that encourage me to carry on.

Pictured: Guernsey Caring For Ex-Offenders organises a wide range of activities which may interest ex-offenders and help them grow in confidence and self-esteem.

MF: How have you seen society’s perception of prison and prisoners change or is it largely unchanged?

MH: We have some great support from our volunteers – who are largely drawn from across the island’s churches – and some employers to help re-integrate ex-offenders back into society and the Guernsey community. There is still a way to go though to change attitudes towards those who have been through the criminal justice system and particularly those who have served a prison sentence.

Many ex-offenders are severely penalised for their former offending behaviour after they have served their sentences. It is often difficult for them to find accommodation and employment when they leave prison. This can lead to them becoming pariahs in society. At GCFEO we believe all people deserve a second chance and the opportunity to start again.

If we bar people from employment and re-entering society in a positive way, we condemn them to a life lacking purpose and hope. In some instances, this can force people to believe that their only option is to re-offend, the very repeating cycle we want to break. There is a particular prejudice against those convicted of sexual offences and these people can become the most isolated and marginalised in society.

We believe that with appropriate safeguarding measures in place, we can support the police, probation, prison and other statutory agencies to help rehabilitate all ex-offenders, no matter their conviction type.

Pictured: Mary Herve and her colleagues have helped many ex-offenders turn around their lives and choose rehabilitation instead of a life of crime. 

MF: Can you outline the challenges facing ex-prisoners which you are able to assist with?

MH: We try to cover three main areas which we often call ACE.

Accommodation. We do not have the resources to provide accommodation ourselves but we work with other agencies to signpost ex-offenders to appropriate accommodation. We can assist with helping to secure deposits for accommodation via ODAS (the offender deposit assistance scheme). We also work alongside some landlords to support them with their tenants, helping to write and advise on policies and guidelines. This is particularly relevant to multi-occupancy properties. We also often assist ex-offenders to source items of furniture and help them to move into accommodation.

Community – We provide a number of activities each weekday to try and provide a sense of community for people when they leave prison. In addition to our daily workshop sessions, we run a regular guided walking group, help to provide a free weekly community lunch and also offer an evening group we call Thursday Church for any ex-offenders wanting to explore the Christian faith. We try and engage with many ex-offenders and we never proselytise. The majority of our service users do not express any faith and, although we are a Christian charity, we are happy to work with anyone.

Employment – We have a part-time member of staff dedicated to assisting people with finding suitable employment. This includes helping to write CVs, applying for jobs, accompanying people to interviews and also supporting both employers and employees in work.

Pictured: The charity offers practical assistance, such as helping ex-offenders find employment.

MF: You must get many setbacks which hit you hard – how do you deal with them?

MH: Every day is different – and yes, we do get setbacks sometimes. We just smile and carry on. The setbacks are always outweighed by the positive aspects of our work. For example, we are always thrilled when someone gets new accommodation, finds meaningful work or engages with us at our workshops.

MF: Are they any offenders who you do not work with or are you prepared to put any type of offence to one side and support the individual?

MH: We are pleased to support all ex-offenders and those who have been through the criminal justice system. It is completely up to individuals as to whether they choose to be referred to us or not. It is not mandatory, but we are always happy to help if we possibly can.

Pictured: Mary Herve says that her Christian faith has helped inspire and sustain her work with ex-offenders.

MF: Do you work closely with prisoners while they are still in prison?

MH: Through my volunteer chaplaincy work at the prison, I get to meet many of the prison population on a weekly basis. If someone chooses to seek our support at GCFEO, we’ll often have a meeting with them in prison as part of their release planning. We work closely with the offender management unit at the prison.

MF: Generally speaking, what is the number and range of ex-offenders you are assisting at any one time?

MH: In 2021, we supported 84 people in total. Of those, approximately half were in relation to employment and job seeking. We work with a core group of 25 or more people at any one time. 

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