A REFORMED criminal has wiped the slate clean and is reaching out to offenders from ‘beyond the cell wall’ in a bid to clamp-down on re-offending.
The ex-offender, who committed a string of drug and fraud-related offences during his youth, decided to write words of advice to criminals who find themselves behind bars.
The message reads: “When I was sitting here, I thought I’d keep coming back… it was just meant to be that way.
“We do things for all sorts of reasons: because mates did it, we got angry, it felt good, or we just didn’t think.
“But when I was last here I realised what I do is my choice and it’s time I chose something else.
“When I left I said I’d do things differently.
“It took effort but it paid off.
“The first step is the hardest so make it a small one.”
Inspired by the initiative, West Midlands Police have joined forces with psychologists to trial ways to discourage criminals from re-offending and cut crime rates.
Chief Superintendent Alex Murray said a plan needs to be put in place to rehabilitate suspects whilst they are detained in cells.
She added: “Managing offenders and working with our partners in housing, health and social services to break habitual criminality is crucial.
“If we can ‘nudge’ people into changing behaviours and reduce re-offending then it has to be embraced.
“Small changes alone may not make a huge difference but the cumulative effect of many nudges can mean less victims of crime and that is what West Midlands Police is all about