Welcome to the Summer Edition of

Tomorrow’s Women - Today We hope you enjoy it It has been written by the women and staff at Tomorrow’s Women Glasgow

Hello All, Welcome to the summer edition of Tomorrow’s Women Newsletter (summer - ?? What summer I hear you ask?) Never mind, we’re all hearty characters in Scotland and can survive any weather (and hopefully our newsletter will bring a wee bit of sunshine into your lives)! Such a lot has been happening since our Christmas edition: our brilliant Christmas party, our karaoke afternoon, our new tennis, walking and Zumba activities, an interview with a professional journalist, all of which are included inside and much much more. But perhaps the most important piece of news for women involved in the criminal justice system is the new radical plans by Scottish Government. Michael Matheson the recently appointed justice minister for Scotland has just made the announcement that major changes are afoot for female offenders. This is a major achievement for all who argued that sending the majority of women to prison doesn’t benefit anyone. Read about the massive changes inside this edition. We hope you enjoy our newsletter. It has been written by women and staff at the Centre and if you have any suggestions as to how we can improve it, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

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2nd Holyrood National Female Offenders Conference January 2015 KA In January, some staff and women from TWG attendedthe 2nd National Female Offenders’ Conference, organised by Holyrood and held at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. Anne Gallacher, team leader for Tomorrows Women and Tracey Adams service user were invited to speak about the work of TWG to a conference of over 100 people. Tracey spoke about the difference the TWG has made to her. “I used to be a very quiet person but being here has helped me become more confident. I wasn’t sure that I could speak to so many people but I thought about what I wanted to say and wrote it down and then practised it, with a few people listening first. These are skills I haven’t used in a while. ” Tracey chatting with Henry McLeish, Conference Chair and Former First Minster

NOTE: It is with great sadness that Tracey (pictured above) died very suddenly. We were all absolutely devastated. Tracey was a bubbly, happy person, with a great big personality. She both encouraged and inspired many other women who came to the Centre and was a joy to be around. She will be greatly missed by all of us here and will always be remembered. Our hearts go out to all her family.

For Tracey our friend

KH

It’s a beautiful day But heartache and pain Will never go away For we will miss You every day Tracey For joy and laughter You share with us every day Your star at night will shine Nice and bright Let us know you’re alright Alright with a heart of gold You gave us alright It’s time to say goodnight RIP Tracey for we miss you Alright from girls you knew alright

RIP Tracey xx

Chatting with Mark Sprott,

Seconded Prison Officer from Greenock HMP We had a chat with Mark to find out about his time with Tomorrow’s Women Glasgow. Mark has now left TWG to return to his role as Through Care Officer at Greenock Prison however this was his interview and experience of working in a community justice setting. A few key facts Favourite film – Veronica Guerin - about an Irish reporter investigating the illegal drugs trade in Dublin Favourite food – Beef Stroganoff Favourite hobby – Hill walking Favourite things about TWG – relaxed working atmosphere and buzz in the Centre What has been your biggest challenge working at TWG? In the prison I worked in closed conditions and a very structured environment where the staff are in control. At TWG it is very different; it’s open, relaxed and more fun. But what I had not expected or realised was the difficulties, frustrations and chaos that so many women faced in trying to get somewhere to live, some money and help and support. And the impact this has on their confidence and mental well-being. Can you imagine coming out of prison but having nowhere safe to stay and no money. What are your top tips for working at TWG? I think it’s important to take people as you find them and don’t judge and then take things from there. If you started working here again would you do anything differently? It’s a big learning curve for everyone working here because we are trying to do something different. Each day is different. Its best to

plan things out and organise your day but you have to be ready to make changes and adjust things as you go along. What have you enjoyed most about working at TWG? The relaxed atmosphere, especially after the prison, with both staff and women that come to the centre. It can be tough at times but we also have a lot of fun and I have really enjoyed it. Why are you leaving? My role here was always temporary so I knew I would be going back to my old job. It’s now time for someone else, from the prison service, to have a chance to work here. It’s been a fabulous experience and I’m so glad I have had this opportunity. **** Note from Anne, Team Leader**** “The staff and service users at TWG want to publicly thank Mark for his dedication and commitment when working at TWG. He was full of energy, information and went the extra mile whenever he could to ensure our service users got the best service possible. Thanks Mark – and welcome Denise Russell, Mark’s replacement from Greenock HMP. Already Denise has settled in well, gets on great with the women and is proving to be a real asset to the team. Welcome Denise – and thanks Mark!

Radical new Changes for Women involved in the Criminal Justice System Michael Mathieson, the Scottish Justice Minister recently announced major radical changes for women involved in the Criminal Justice System. This is because:

doesn’t work. We’ve seen the damaging impact that going in and out of prison has for the women, for their families and for their communities.

Scotland has the second highest female prison population in Northern Europe, doubling between 2002 and 2012 l Only 30 per cent of women held on remand go on to receive a custodial sentence l 70 per cent of women offenders who received a prison sentence of three months or less are reconvicted of an offence within two years. l The economic and social cost of reoffending over a 10-year period is, on average, over £75,000 per female offender l Services provided in the prison often cease at the gate l Approximately 30 per cent of children with imprisoned parents will develop physical and mental health problems as well as a higher risk of these children also ending up in prison l Women in prison have higher rates of mental health problems, drug and alcohol problems, homelessness issues, histories of physical and sexual abuse, and victimisation l Locking women up doesn’t work

“What we need is a new approach. We need to continue to transform and improve services for women so that we can help them to break the cycle of reoffending.

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(Ref: Commission on Women Offenders (2012) Scottish Government); http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Newplans-for-women-in-custody-announced1a61.aspx) It is for all these reasons and more that Michael Mathieson stated: “Simply locking women up in a large facility

“I believe that accommodating female offenders, where appropriate, in smaller units, close to their families, with targeted support to address the underlying issues such as alcohol, drugs, mental health or domestic abuse trauma is the way ahead”. (Ref: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Newplans-for-women-in-custody-announced1a61.aspx) This is also very much in line with the recommendations from the Angiolini report 2012 some of which are outlined below: Alternatives to remand l Community Justice Centres l Multi-disciplinary teams l Key worker system l Intensive mentoring l Mental health services l

Initially in response to the recommendations of the report the plan was to build a brand new state of the art prison that would hold 300 women. There was major outcry about this proposal as it went against the recommendations of the report. Many organisations and individuals let their feelings be known to Scottish Government and not only did Michael Mathieson listen, he acted on it. He decided the new prison would not go ahead. In January he stated:

“When I announced in January my decision not to proceed with HMP Inverclyde as a large national prison for women, I said that it did not fit with my vision of how a modern and progressive country should be addressing female offending and that we needed a bolder, more radical and ambitious approach in Scotland”. (Ref: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Newplans-for-women-in-custody-announced1a61.aspx) Tomorrow’s Women team leader recently attended a 3 day conference where delegates from over 12 countries discussed the way forward for Scotland’s female offenders. Michael Matheson was the keynote speaker and following the conference the new proposals were announced: A new 80 bedded national facility, based on the current site at Corntonvale to house the most serious offenders who still present a risk to others, as well as themselves l Five smaller community-based custodial units across the country each accommodating up to 20 women, with access to intensive support to help overcome issues such as alcohol, drugs, mental health and domestic abuse trauma. The smaller units will be based near communities of female offenders so that family contact can be maintained l More use of community based alternatives such as restricted liberty orders l Additional funding for Community based services which provide robust and effective alternatives to custody.

received over 200 referrals. Women coming out of prison and women on statutory orders face major issues without much of the support they require. We have found that working here in the Centre within a multi-disciplinary team with faster access to services with an active outreach service has seen many of our service users reduce their offending, increase their confidence, address underlying issues and regain contact with their children and families. We know this approach works rather than locking women away; women, families, communities and the public purse will benefit from these changes and we look forward with anticipation to seeing the plans develop and become a reality.

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Tomorrow’s Women along with organisations such as Turning Point 218, SACRO and the Howard League are delighted at the new plans. Overwhelming global evidence shows that prison does not work for the majority of women and since we have been operational in the last 18 months Tomorrows Women has

For You

I wish that for a day you could be me See the world through my eyes Then you could see how I now see And my pain you would realise.

You would hear the voice of my soul Give comfort to those in pain You will understand I judge no woman For nobody is without blame. You will understand how deep I feel You will know too, the depths of my love for all the things that move upon this earth and the birds that fly above. But in a way I am glad that you’re not me That you cannot feel as I do For each of us is a priceless jewel Which means – you are priceless too. KH

Interview with Annie Brown, Chief Writer and Journalist at the Daily Record

Since starting Tomorrow’s Women newsletter our interest in writing and journalism has increased. We wanted tips and ideas on how to improve our journalistic style so we were delighted when Annie Brown, Chief writer for the Daily Record agreed to be interviewed by us and to share some tips that would help us make our newsletter even more inviting to read. We would just like to thank Annie for her openness and tips. Below is her interview: How did you get the job?  What training and background do you have? I was working as a Broker in Surrey but I always knew I wanted to be a journalist, so I gave up my job, dumped my boyfriend, went to live in a dump and managed to get on a year long crash course. I am not sure anyone needs the three year degree courses. Ultimately I think it is a career you learn on the job but you do need the basics of law and shorthand and how to construct a news story. When I left college I got a story about a politician having an affair and ‘The People’ newspaper hired me freelance, to cover it at £500 a week.  They fired me after a week because I didn’t have clue but that fat salary for one week, paid my overdraught for the year. It was the only kiss and tell I have covered in 20 years and it will be the last. Too tacky. From there I got a job on a local daily paper and after two years joined the nationals.  What is the role of journalists/ Daily Record? Being a journalist is a responsible job and there is power in the pen. You either use that power for good or bad. I try and use it for good and I try and make people question their prejudices. I hope that I convey that life is not black and white. I also like to fight in the corner of the vulnerable and give voice to those without one. An undercover investigation I did, exposing abuse in a care home, helped change the law. The media can expose, question and change things and if you are lucky you get to make a politician’s day a little harder.  What difficulties have you faced in carrying out your job? It is a male dominated business now, even more than before. In that sense it has regressed. The media has also become so celebrity obsessed and the web is definitely dumbing the media down. That’s hard to swallow, if you are an old hack like me.  One of the difficulties I face is the fact that people assume because you are working for a tabloid, you are looking for scandal. I don’t do scandal but I like the fact that a tabloid is far reaching, unlike some of the broadsheets with tiny circulations.  What is the best thing about your job? I still have a lot of freedom, and that’s a rare thing in a job that is becoming way too office bound. I love that each day is different and I will never get over the fact that as a working class girl, I get to make a living out of writing. I also think it is a privilege to be invited in to people’s lives and hear their stories. 

What are your top tips for being a journalist? Don’t expect to be home for dinner and never switch your phone off.  Don’t lie. Always have integrity. After all these years people come to me now and I don’t have to go to them because they know if I say I will do a story a certain way, that’s how it is.  In terms of finding a way in, it has never been easier in some ways because the internet is a platform for all. Use your own experiences and insight, tell your stories or the stories of those you have met through life. You may have experienced hardships like poverty, well then write about it from a position of knowledge, which is always more powerful.  It is a rollercoaster game and every journalist has a crisis of confidence but you have to have tenacity. There is always a way.  What do you think about the work TWG is doing? I think prison was never the answer for the majority of women left to rot there. For many of the women, more victim than perpetrator, there is a duty to give them a chance for a better life, for themselves and their children and for society.  How do you think we could promote TWG to the wider public? Keep telling the stories of the women’s lives, the ups and the downs. Some of the most amazing, inspiring, resilient and intelligent women I have met have fallen foul of the system. They just needed a hand up.  Annie Brown  Chief Writer Daily Record One Central Quay Glasgow G3 8DA

Fruity Cocktails for Divas

Activities at Tomorrows Women

Pink Goddess Raspberry Fizzler:  Ingredients –

1 1/2 cups of raspberry juice.   3 scoops of raspberry sherbet.  1/2 cup of carbonated water.   Directions – In a blender, combine raspberry juice, raspberry sherbet, and carbonated water.  Blend until smooth.  Pour into glasses and serve.

Walking Group Katie and Charlene taking a breather during the walk at Pollok Park

Lipstick Smudger Tornado Twist: Ingredients –

12 fluid ounces of cranberry-raspberry juice.   1 can or bottle of lemon-lime carbonated beverage.   Directions – In a pitcher, mix cranberry-raspberry juice with lemon-lime soda.  Pour over ice and serve.

All-Over Glitter Mock-Champagne:  Ingredients –

2 (2 liter) bottles ginger ale, chilled.   1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice, chilled.   1 (64 fluid ounce) bottle white grape juice, chilled. Directions – In a large punch bowl, combine 1 bottle ginger ale, pineapple juice, and white grape juice.  Pour into glasses and serve.

Cycling for fun and fitness In June 2015 we organised a cycling event for our women, with free access to Glasgow’s Next Bikes and a range of weird and wonderful bikes at Freewheel North, in Glasgow Green.  It is hoped that further cycling events of this type will be planned soon. 

Banana Boat River Float:  Ingredients –

3 bananas.   3 cups fresh grapefruit juice.   2 cups lemon sherbet.   1 cup crushed ice.   Directions – Puree bananas in a blender (or with a fork).  In a gallon pitcher combine pureed bananas, grapefruit juice, lemon sherbet and crushed ice.  Stir and serve.

Masquerade Mystery:  Ingredients –

2 ounces coconut milk.   3 ounces pineapple juice.   3 ounces mango juice.   1 small banana.   Directions – Pour juice and coconut milk in a blender.  Peel and add the banana.  Blend for 10 seconds.  Pour in a large glass and serve with a straw.  Garnish with a slice of pineapple on the rim.

High Heel Hottie:  Ingredients –

2 ounces peach nectar.   6 ounces orange juice.   Ice. Orange fruit slices.   Directions – Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour into a fun shaped glass.  Add crushed ice and decorate the glass with orange slices.

Tennis club Women from TWG have been improving their health and skills through weekly social tennis and coaching at Kelvingrove Community Tennis Club.  Organiser, Carol Jones, explained that funding from the Awards for All Lottery Fund helps them “promote better mental health and wellbeing and encourages people from across Glasgow who might not normally get an opportunity to take part in sport”.  “It’s been great to have women from TWG at the events. The women energetic, committed, hard working and good fun!!” On 23rd June 2015, Carol presented medals to four women who competed in the GAMH tournament and to one, a trophy, for most improved player.  This trophy was presented in memory of Tracy Adam.”

Universal Credit - things you need to know

Universal credit is a new way of paying benefits to people. It brings together several different benefits and combines them into one monthly payment which goes straight into your bank account. It is gradually being introduced across Britain and will be completed in 2017. Six working-age benefits will be merged into one. So, those receiving income-based jobseeker’s allowance, l income-related employment and support allowance, l income support, l child tax credit, l working tax credit l housing benefit l

will receive a single universal credit payment. Things you will need A Bank account - Universal credit is paid once a month into a bank, building society or credit union account Computer and internet access to make initial claims and then to check payments and to organise budgets One adult per household receives the payment Under universal credit each household will get one payment per month paid to just one person. This could be you or your partner or it could be paid into a shared or joint account. It’s important to think carefully before having a joint account with your partner. When does this start? For single people in Glasgow it is starting now but people already receiving different benefits it will be gradually introduced between now and 2017. For more information Glasgow Advice and Information Service http://www.gain4u.org.uk/ For free advice call 0808 801 1011 The Money Advice Service is a free service set up by the Government to help with things like managing a bank account and managing your money. https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk or call 0300 500 5000 Glasgow Credit Union can give you advice on setting up a credit union account with them http://www.glasgowcu.com

Arts and Crafts This is one of the most popular activities at TWG. It’s a chance to catch up with friends, meet new ones, find out what else is happening and make some fabulous things from the TWG banner to ear rings and necklaces to personalising canvas bags. I am enjoying the groups very much, speaking to the girls, feeling relaxed and settled and feeling rewarded at the end of the day. So yeah, it’s great. – YB I am going to jewellery making class cause it gives me a skill I didn’t have. The teacher is very nice. It takes my head off of lots of stuff . – CMcL I really enjoyed the jewellery making class today. It’s good to get out and meet new people. Canny wait for the next class. – JS The class is good. I’ve been enjoying it. It’s something I would never have been interested in but now I’m really interested. – Tracey I am writing as a client and would like to say I like coming to jewellery making as time flies really quick and I enjoy coming to the group, as I like the group and the way we make jewellery is cool. Thanks. – MJ I could do jewellery for 3 days a week. The lassies all enjoy it. It keeps me mind off other things. I recommend it lasts longer. Karen (teacher) blends in well with the lassies. – KH I really enjoy doing the jewellery class as I feel though its therapeutic and interesting. I love learning new things and skills. – CB I always leave here feeling good, like I’ve achieved something positive and productive. I think there should be more courses like this. If I have structure in my life I feel fine and don’t get depressed. – CMcC

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Useful Numbers Routes Out / The Base

0141 276 0737

Glasgow Drugs Crisis Centre

0141 420 6969

Hamish Allan Centre

0141 287 1800

RSVP

0800 027 7466

Out of Hours Social Work

0800 811 505

Homeless Addiction Team

0141 552 9287

Homeless Health Centre

0141 553 2801

NHS 24

Police (in emergency please call 999)

101

111

Sandyford Central

0141 211 8130

Archway

0141 211 8175

Rape Crisis Scotland

08088 01 03 02

Rape Crisis Glasgow

0141 552 3200

Alcoholics Anonymous

0845 769 7555

Narcotics Anonymous

0300 999 1212

Shelter

0808 800 4444

Domestic Abuse Helpline

0800 027 1234

Women’s Aid

0141 553 2022

Samaritans

08457 909090

Breathing Space

0800 838 587

NHS Open Road

0141 420 7284

Glasgow City Mission

0141 221 2630

Lodging House Mission

0141 552 0285

Marie Trust

0141 221 0169

Destiny’s Angels

0333 900 0909

Tomorrow’s Women Glasgow

0141 274 6052