RECOOP

Written by Works for Freedom (25/06/12)

RECOOP promotes the care, resettlement and rehabilitation of older prisoners, and those who have been sanctioned by the criminal justice system, in particular people over the age of 50. RECOOP works through the provision of support services, advocacy, financial advice and mentoring on issues such as employment and training, and also offer advice on housing and health. The aim is to enable older prisoners on release to take control of their lives and remain free from future involvement in the justice system, and prevent them from becoming socially excluded.

There are specific needs for the older group of prisoners, for example:

Those retired in prison often have no educational or leisure opportunities and remain locked in their cells for long periods of time

Many older prisoners have lost contact with friends and family, and often do not have a home to return to on release from prison

RECOOP supports and advises older people on release from prison to improve opportunities for resettlement and rehabilitation and raises awareness of the needs of older prisoners at regional and national level.