Wez’s Case Study

Case Chronology

8/1/2014- Legal visit to sort out housing and other needs. Due out 24th April 2015. Advised he goes and sees his Shelter Rep and ask them to get a property pool application in. Clare said she will speak to KHT and Delite and see if she can sort anything. He does not want to move back to Kirkby, as there are too many temptations. He said that his friends have been in too see him and offered him some graft.

11/3/2015- Another legal visit to help fill out mainstay application. He is really stressed out, and worried about his release. His mum has said that he could stay there for a night or two, however he does not want to put his mum in that position and would rather stay with a friend. Clare explained that it would just be a short while as they search for Private Landlords.

21/4/2015- Legal visit. Nervous upon release as he is settled but informed him that this was just because he is institutionalised – and that is why he is worried. Long chat about his past life, and that it can all be put behind him. He must avoid cocaine as he said that was a real problem in the past.

24/4/2015- Release date from prison. He is very happy to be out and went to see his family. He arranged to go out with friends and family for a few drinks that night.

27/4/2015- He wants to go back to prison, as he is bored and there is nothing to occupy himself with.

7/5/2015- Job interview. Was advised that he must declare criminal convictions. He was pleased that he got the job in Matalan. He is really enjoying it, and it is keeping him from going on the drink.

31/5/2015 – He felt very anxious today, as he felt under pressure as he was out with old friends who are still committing crime, he said they were offering him to go out grafting. He said he was really tempted – Clare asked him to think about the consequences of going out and committing crime. He started to realise that his actions would affect his freedom, family and himself.

A few days later, he said he is feeling a lot better and proud of himself and knows he has made the right decisions.

17/6/15 – He has been struggling – going out of a weekend and sniffing cocaine. Unfortunately, on 3/7/15 he informed Clare that he lost his job, as he didn’t disclose his criminal offences. He has also been kicked out and has no money and nowhere to go. He thinks he will be better off in jail, he also thinks there is no point in living no more. He was living in a sit up, he said it was ridiculous.

6/7/2015 – He was accepted in Altbank. Clare brought him to her office and sorted out benefits, she gave him some toiletries and a food voucher. Later, he thanked Clare for everything and is made up with his flat. He said this will be the making of him. The day later, he found a job in a plastic factory. However, he was informed by Altbank that he may have to give the job up, as he probably wouldn’t be able to afford the rent for the flat. He was furious as he didn’t want to give up the opportunity that could change his life. In and out of numerous jobs. Being sacked for different reasons.

17/8/2015 – Been recalled as he had been arrested for robbery and possession of a knife.

11/3/2017- He was released from custody yesterday and now staying at a bail hostel. He has asked for support as he does not want to return to custody.

14/3/2017- Clare met him in a café. He says he does not want to go back to jail, and admits he is feeling anxious since his release. He said that the bail hostel is okay, but would rather be in his own accommodation, as he feels he has no structure. He came to the office. Viewed a house in Kirkby.

26/3/2017- Phone call, he is very anxious. He has stayed out an extra night from his hostel and he has been informed that he will be recalled. Clare spoke to him for a long time, trying to calm him down. He said he was going to run away, it took a lot of persuading to prevent him doing so.

19/4/2017 – Phoned him as haven’t heard from him. He is struggling, and feels let down by probation, as they have done nothing for him. He really wants a job to keep out of reoffending.

25/4/2017 – Phone call from him, in an adjugated state. Said he could no longer stay in the hostel, as there was a nonce there. Clare spoke to him for a good half an hour on the phone, calmed him down and managed to get him to think of things differently.

1/5/2017 – fed up of living in the bail hostel. Goes to the gym early, stays out all day. Bail hostel are not happy about him going out so early. Took him to view a flat.

3/5/2017 – He is furious as probation officer had informed him she wouldn’t approve the move to the flat, she wanted him to stay in the bail hostel longer. He was furious, saying he may as well re-offend. Clare calmed him down.

10/5/2017 – He desperate to start work. He has a job opportunity, but bail hostel has said he won’t be able to take it as he won’t be able to afford rent. Clare spoke to probation officer, asked if he could move back to his mums – he’s done well, and a job would be a huge achievement.

17/5/2017 – Probation officer had approved that he could move back to his mums. He could take the job, if he provides a letter from the employer. However, he had not told the employer he had been to jail. Clare advised that he must always be honest about criminal record.

2/6/2017 – Phone call to say he is loving his new job and he is happy to be home. Not been going out as he is shattered from working.

6/7/2017 – Said he is doing well, working 6 days a week.

Case Summary.

Numerous legal visits before he was due out (24th April 2015) to sort out housing and other needs. He is stressed and worried about his release – however, this is normal as he is institutionalised. On his release, he is happy to see friends and family – however, a few days later he is bored and wants to go back to prison as there is nothing to keep him occupied. On 7th May, he got a job in Matalan and was very pleased with himself – it was keeping him from going on the drink and was really enjoying it. Towards the end of the month, he was feeling quite anxious. He had been out with old friends, who were still involved with crime, and were offering him to go out “grafting”. He was very tempted. Clare spoke to him and asked him to think about the consequences. A few days later, he is feeling a lot better and proud of himself for making the right decisions.

On 17th June he admits he has been struggling, going out and sniffing cocaine. He also informs us that he had lost his job as he did not disclose his criminal offences. He has been kicked out with nowhere to go and has no money. He is now living in a sit up. He is going through a rough patch thinking that he will be better in jail.

On the 6th July, he was accepted in Altbank. Clare brought him to her office, sorted out benefits. She gave him some toiletries and a food voucher. Later, he thanked Clare for everything and is made up with his flat. He said this will be the making of him.

The day later, he found a job in a plastic factory. However, he was informed by Altbank that he may have to give the job up, as he probably wouldn’t be able to afford the rent for the flat. He was furious as he didn’t want to give up the opportunity that could change his life. He has been in and out of numerous jobs, being sacked for different reasons.

On the 17th August 2015, he has been recalled as he has been arrested for Robbery and possession of a knife.

10th March 2017, he was released from custody, and is staying in a bail hostel. He has asked for support as he does not want to return to custody. He admits he is feeling a bit anxious since his release. He wants his own accommodation as he feels he has no structure. Numerous nights he has felt anxious and Clare has managed to speak over the phone for a long time to calm him down, and to get him to think of things differently. He is desperate to find work and a flat. He has viewed a few flats; however the probation officer says she wants him to stay in the bail hostel longer. He is furious and says he may as well re-offend. Clare calms him down. The bail hostel has also said that he won’t be able to take up his new job opportunity as it isn’t very likely that he will be able to afford the rent.

Clare managed to speak to the probation officer, to let him move back to his mums so that he could take up the job opportunity – as it would be a real achievement. This was approved, and he could take the job as long as he provided a letter from the employer. June 2017, and he is loving his new job. He is working 6 days a week and isn’t going out as he is shattered – he spends most nights having a beer and going to bed early.