Release Mates recognises that the day of release is different for everyone. Our intense level of support for prison leavers involves us meeting people at the prison gate after building up a rapport through the email-a-prisoner platform. We know what practical support they need, such as food, toiletries, and clothes, and build a plan with them for their release. We take them in one of our cars to all the appointments they are required to attend, such as probation, the job centre, bank, a GP, drug and alcohol services etc, before leaving them at their accommodation.

In the time we spend with each person, we share our own journeys of life after prison, how we've stayed sober, and how we've not reoffended. Many people leaving custody believe that life in the community is too difficult to negotiate. The Release Mates team is walking, living proof that it's not. People spending their release day with us leave with hope and belief.

Our support does not end after the day of release. Each person is contacted weekly by phone and if any issues arise, we arrange to visit them in-person to help. 

If you work in the criminal justice system and would like to refer to somebody to Release Mates for support on their day of release, please email: help@releasemates.org and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.