IRISS.FM is a new internet radio station intended as a forum where all involved in social services can share opinion, knowledge and experience.
You can now listen to our show entitled Discovering Desistance.
The recording was made on the 16 May and involves a discussion with four of the participants at the second of two workshops held in Glasgow.
We will shortly be making the notes available from the Glasgow workshops but for now hope you enjoy the show!
thank you all for making me feel welcome today. this was a pretty dramatic experience for me and i was greatfull for the opportunity. i am back home to Magilligan on wednesday and look forward to catching up or answering any questions about my reintegration process.
thanks again
Michael
Michael, it was a delight to have you at the conference. Nothing makes a meeting about reintegration from prison quite as real as having a guy there enjoying his first hours of (semi) freedom and contributing in such a sophisticated way. Folks, I am going to post some writing by Michael — one of the many, diverse participants from the well-attended second Belfast Discovering Desistance meeting. I don’t have them with me now, so will have to post it tomorrow, but I have to say, the sight of Michael at the meeting brainstorming with senior staff from the prison service, department of justice, and others like Raymond from the film and Pete from the Positive Prisons group was just too cool for words almost. Will blog more soon. shadd
Wow, this is the first time in the last three days were a wave of depression has just swept over me. This is much harder than i’d imagined. I, Michael Irwin will be fine, Michael Irwin has a support group of family and friends and new friends I met on Monday. What about those who don’t? If I was one of the more ‘at risk’ prisoners, how comforting would it be to know that a mentor or life coach ex-prisoner would be calling round in an hour or so to help me throught this transition ‘back’ to prison? the hardest thing for me has been the reaction of my family and friends. They all said at some stage over the past two days ‘I don’t understand you’ve proved yourself now, above and beyond, why can’t they just let you out?’ It breaks my heart but i know it’ll all work itself out eventually.
My first day revolved around getting out, you all saw what time i got to Belfast. My second day revolved around my probation appointment and toaday revolves around getting back. Fear and worry saved and stored away for later, i’d like to say how fnatastic this has been. My prison seentence saved my life, my prison sentence allowed me time to regroup and my prison sentence gave me the opportuntiy to create a new life. we need to make this experience an opportunity, seize these momnets and run with them. I will tell my fellow inmates that there is hope, there arepeopel out there from probation, MOJ and the prison service who are in the process of making it better.
I’m now going to have to dettox from information technology. why can’t i take this back with me. HQ can check it every week, every day as far as i’m concerend. if i abuse it take it of me. how much easier would my life be in relation to higher level education if i had this at my disposal? reintegration has been a rollercoaster. i just want you all to know that i am smiling now, inside, like never before, this what communication does to a prisoner, it sets you free! Maybe that’s what the problem is. Please write or get me through Shadd. Thank you all for being in my life see you in a months time.
Michael,
To have a peer of mine on day release from HMP was a particular highlight of my day at Belfast, our telepathy will hopefully continue long in the future. I will write directly when I get your details from Shadd. Thank you.
For Michael
Unfortnately my above comment is not allowed to embed a video – the video was going to be – Mumford & Son’s song “After the Storm”. I consider the lyrics can mean so much & powerful, in particular for those incarcerated…
“I won’t rot…”