News Archive

DEMYSTIFYING THE ‘BIG SOCIETY’

Tuesday, August 31st 2010

Offender Health South West and University of the West of England /South West Offender Health Research Network are hosting two important events in order to enable the Voluntary Sector to work more effectively in partnership with the Criminal Justice System
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Prison Reform Trust - Doing Time Good Practice

Thursday, July 8th 2010 - Francesca Cooney with Julia Braggins

This report is mainly based on a survey of staff in prison establishments throughout England and Wales. The high response rate demonstrates a willingness to share information and improve practice in work with older people in prison.
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Over 50 UK Prison Population

Friday, July 2nd 2010

This table shows the population of prisoners aged 50 and over, by age group and sex, in England and Wales, as at 31st March 2010.
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Prisoners aged over 50 in Prisons in the South West

Friday, July 2nd 2010

This table shows Prisoners aged over 50 in Prisons in the South West, as at 31st March 2010
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The Experience of an Ageing Male Prison Population

Monday, June 21st 2010 - Dr Natalie Mann, University of Essex

   DOING HARDER TIME? THE EXPERIENCE OF AN AGEING MALE PRISON POPULATION IN ENGLAND AND WALES: SUMMARY OF THE MAIN FINDINGS   Dr Natalie Mann, University of Essex   Our society is unaccustomed to thinking about older people in terms of their involvement in crime and the criminal justice system. Saturated by stereotypical images of the elderly as frail victims of crime, the criminal experiences of this age group have been systematically ignored. However, the number of male prisoners...
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Information for older prisoners - Claiming state pensions and benefits after you are released

Tuesday, June 8th 2010

Information for older prisoners. Claiming state pensions and benefits after you are released. It is important to try and get your pension and benefits claims sorted out before you leave prison if you can.
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Prison Reform Trust - 2010 Creative Writing Competition

Tuesday, June 8th 2010

All the stories raise uncomfortable questions and make you think about what imprisonment means in a fresh, but disturbing way. Michael Palin (former Prison Reform Trust writing competition judge). ..
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RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME - Ken Humphrey delivered a trial run of his Resettlement Programme

Monday, March 8th 2010

  RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME   Ken Humphrey delivered a trial run of his Resettlement Programme at Channings Wood at the end of January 2010 which was well received and ACOOP will be back there in March to enlarge on its contents. The Course contains information and help on hopefully all aspects of life and problems that prisoners will encounter on release.  In particular, these include Housing (including Hostels), Pensions, Benefits, Insurance, Health and Fitness, Finance and Taxation and...
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Cell Assessment

Tuesday, January 26th 2010

ACOOP were asked to carry out an assessment on some older prisoners’ cells, specifically looking at any potential risks of the prisoner falling or tripping within their cell.
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ACOOP Volunteer and NHS Devon Staff Training Day – HMP Channings Wood

Wednesday, January 20th 2010

A staff training day was held at HMP Channings Wood attended by 5 ACOOP volunteers and 4 NHS staff from Devon.
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ACOOP WINS COMMENDATION

Friday, December 4th 2009

ACOOP has been highly commended in the organisational category of the annual Una Padel Award 2009.
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Meeting at Exeter Cathedral

Thursday, November 12th 2009

In November and December the Adult Education Group are using their meetings to discuss the work of Prison Welfare and the Justice System. For the November meeting they kindly invited ACOOP members to promote the work that we are doing .....
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Volunteers Wanted

Saturday, October 24th 2009

Interested in volunteering to work with older offenders? We have opportunities throughout the south west - contact the ACOOP Manager for more details   Title:   Art Exhibition Volunteer   Role Purpose: To promote ACOOP’s work in the Devon Prison Cluster by giving the prisoners the opportunity to exhibit their art work and express a positive quality to the public. Aim: To producing 20 pieces of art work to be...
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ACOOP Organises Billy Bragg Event

Wednesday, October 29th 2008

October has seen a celebrity visit HMP Channings Wood thanks to the work of ACOOP Project Manager Liz Davis. Jail Guitar Doors is an independent initiative set up by Billy Bragg with the aim of providing musical equipment for the use of inmates serving time in Her Majesty’s prisons. It takes its name from the b-side of the Clash’s 1978 single “Clash City Rockers”. Billy Bragg who continues to enjoy success in the music industry, best known for hits such as “A New...
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ACOOP cited as "very fine example" of work with older prisoners in HM Prison Service Magazine

Monday, October 6th 2008

ACOOP has gained special metion in an article in the Prison Service News with regard to considering older prisoners.  Sue Sharples who works as Deputy Disability Liaison Officer at HMP Leyhill has been working with ACOOP and explains about Leyhills 50+ Forum.  Follow the below link to find out more:

ACOOPs Forum gets front page coverage!

Monday, October 6th 2008

Lehill 50+ Forum inaugural AGM held on 5th July made front page news in "Forum to Forum". See the attached for copy of article:
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Prisoners take part in National Dementia Strategy Government Consultation

Wednesday, September 24th 2008

The Seniors Forum at HMP Leyhill today (6th September) became the only group of prisoners to be consulted as part of the National Dementia Strategy Consultation. Professor Jane Gilliard of the National Dementia Strategy Working Group discussed the 5 year government plan to make care and support services better for people with dementia and their carers. As the only prisoners to take part in the consultation, the group provided valuable feedback on the kinds of issues that would be faced by those with...
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Some Recent ACOOP Projects

Tuesday, August 12th 2008

SENIORS FORUMS: ACOOP is working with Help the Aged to set up the first Seniors Forums in prisons in the United Kingdom. What is a Seniors Forum? Help the Aged facilitates the development of such groups in local communities. There are now over 450 in existence in England, with a total membership in excess of 100,000. The purpose of Senior Citizens Forums is to develop independent organisations that give a collective voice to older people to influence decision makers on matters which impact on...
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Over 50s Prisoners Groups

Tuesday, April 15th 2008

Over 50s Prisoners Groups will be starting in Channings Wood and Dartmoor in May. Information event for potential volunteers coming soon
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Pathways To Care

Tuesday, January 29th 2008

Pathways To Care, developed by the South West Health and Social Care in Criminal Justice Partnership Board (which includes ACOOP) is being rolled out nationally - please visit www.doh.gov.uk for more detail