Choosing the right path can often be a difficult one, no matter your age. However, factors such as peer pressure and perceptions can play a part when it comes to young people choosing the right or wrong path.
Sometimes a small sharp shock to shatter preconceived illusions, such as prisons being like holiday camps, are sometimes what’s needed to give young people a nudge in the right direction, steering them away from a life of crime or drug/alcohol misuse.
John Dwyer, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said, “I applaud any schemes or initiatives that tackle offending or re-offending.
“I believe that if the root cause is identified and dealt with then people can be helped to turn their life around, no matter their age.”
One such scheme is the one run at HMP Altcourse called Crossroads, which allows boys aged 14 and over − who are on the verge of taking the wrong path − to see and hear the potential consequences of their future actions from prisoners inside HMP Altcourse.
A young person who attended the project said: “It put me off because I looked at the prison wall and thought ‘oh my God − you all have family to think about, I don’t want to be in that position’.
“This scheme fits in nicely with my aim to reduce offending, re-offending and most importantly victims of crime,” added John Dwyer.
“I was pleased when Crossroads applied to my Crime Prevention Fund and I’m happy to award them the funds they need to ensure the scheme continues to benefit young people across Cheshire.”
Dave McAlley from HMP Altcourse said: “The support we have received from the Commissioner is fantastic. HMP Altcourse and the Crossroads Initiative is just a part of the work being done by our Safer Schools Partnership in Cheshire. The money we received will help to secure the future of the project.”
If you have a project, scheme or initiative that you think fits into the Crime Prevention Fund criteria visit www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk
