Our Story

How a group of prison leavers set about changing the landscape for those embroiled in the criminal justice system

Background

In the early Spring of 2022, David Dunn was released from prison without any real purpose. His only goal was to continue the recovery from addiction he had begun in prison. In the weeks and months that followed his release, David volunteered as a decorator in an outbuilding of the prison where he served his sentence. It was noticeable that many people were being discharged from custody without any real hope of making positive change. It was disheartening to see prison leavers with no clothes, money, accommodation, or food. These people were expected to rehabilitate, to make pro-social change, to reintegrate to society.

There are many services available for the ongoing support of ex-offenders, but David recognised that such services were of little use if a prison leaver can't successfully navigate their first day out of custody.

The 'Lived Experience' Thing

Leaving prison is a strange experience. It is difficult to describe to those who haven't been through it. Some time before their release date, people begin to feel "gate happy" - a prison term for giddiness approaching release. You may expect prison leavers to be excited, overcome with joy, and thrilled to be tasting freedom for the first time in a while, and you'd be right. What you might not consider is the other emotional aspects of release - those which weigh a prison leaver down.

Gate arrest is when a person is arrested by police the moment they walk out of the prison gate, to be interviewed about outstanding charges. There is often no warning of a gate arrest, the police wait for the prison gate to open and cart the person off in a van. It is a cruel and inhumane process which worries most prisoners as they approach release. Less than 3% of prison leavers are gate arrested, yet it causes anxiety for most prison leavers.

For many prisoners, friends they have met inside become the closest thing they have to family. Often, when faced with the most difficult period of their lives, this family becomes invaluable. Many prison leavers don't realise until they pass through the gate that they have left their biggest support network behind.

Prison and probation services put a lot of work into making sure resettlement plans are in place for prison leavers. Accommodation, employment, medical matters, finances etc are all important aspects of basic needs. Sadly, it is often the case that these needs are not met. Prison leavers become anxious about this. Perhaps with good reason, people are worried about being let down when they get out.

There are many reasons why a person may not feel as happy as the wider public expect them to be during the release process. The public perception of prison release has been distorted by media reporting of flash, fancy cars and popping champagne corks at prison gates.

Release Mates recognised from their own experiences that the immediate hours following discharge from custody can determine the path a person takes for the rest of their life.

This is where the 'lived experience' idea came from. Who better to advise and support those leaving prison, than those who have already trodden that path to successfully rehabilitate and reintegrate to society, becoming contributing members of society?

David Dunn (Founder) and Abby Harland (General Manager) of Release Mates meet High Sheriff of Lancashire, Helen Bingley, in the Departure Lounge at HMP Lancaster Farms

David Dunn (CEO & Founder) and Abby Harland (General Manager) of Release mates meet High Sheriff of Lancashire, Helen Bingley, at the HMP Lancaster Farms Departure Lounge

David Dunn collects The Stephen Lloyd Award for Release Mates in 2023

The Release Mates team enjoy a team building night at a charity boxing event

Abby Harland attending 'Justice and Women - A New Direction' in Westminster in preparation for the launch of Release Mates Women

David Dunn providing media interviews after a government early release scheme

The Release Mates Departure Lounge at HMP Lancaster Farms

Growth

Release Mates became an overnight success. People leaving prison wanted to speak to people who've left prison and could relate to how they were feeling. In the presence of established statutory services, prison leavers felt more comfortable engaging with Release Mates.

To cope with the demand for the service, David Dunn needed to find an army of other prison leavers in recovery from addiction. Volunteers were recruited to accommodate the growing need for the service.

At the heart of recovery and rehabilitation is altruism. By creating volunteering roles for people, Release Mates was supporting recovery journeys. Some volunteers went on to become employed on a part-time basis, while others used their experience with Release Mates to find paid roles in the third sector.

Ongoing Success

By mid-2023, Release Mates was supporting around 30 prison leavers a month. An enhanced, second tier of support was created for the most vulnerable prison leavers, and 5 volunteers made up the team.

It was after success at The Stephen Lloyd Awards when Release Mates was truly propelled to the next level. In late 2023, HMP Lancaster Farms issued an appeal for an organisation to manage a Departure Lounge at the prison. Release Mates seized the opportunity and now supports around 70% of men leaving the prison. 2024 saw several government initiatives to reduce prison overcrowding by releasing prisoners early. Release Mates was on hand to cope with the colossal increase in need for its service.

As a 'lived experience' organisation, Release Mates became noticed by the media and regularly contributes to media discussion. The organisation remains passionate about the value of 'lived experience.'

In November 2024, this small idea of prison leavers supporting prison leavers became a registered charity.

Between January and December 2024, Release Mates supported 891 prison leavers.

The Future

The ultimate goal is to have a Release Mates team working from each Category B and C prison in England and Wales. This is an ambitious, but not unachievable challenge. The Release Mates model is easily replicated in other areas of the country, away for the charity's North West base.

Work is already underway for the launch of Release Mates Women - a separate service run by women who have left prison, for women who are leaving prison. The project is being led by Release Mates' General Manager, Abby Harland and is due to be operational by the late Autumn of 2025.

Although only young, Release Mates has already earned the respect of statutory services, MPs, and dignitaries which has led to its management team becoming members of boards, programmes, and initiatives throughout the North West. The team hope to use this to influence change in policies and law to make the criminal justice system easier for people to navigate away from.