Top marks for prison coaching scheme helping to address reoffending.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has praised the success of a ground breaking football coaching scheme in local prisons aimed at reducing reoffending.

The County Durham and Darlington PCC invested £7,500 into the Twinning Project – a nationwide scheme that pairs top football clubs with local prisons to run coaching classes for thousands of inmates.

The funding has enabled two cohorts of prisoners to complete the award-winning scheme in the county.

This week, the PCC met graduates of a recent course at HMP Deerbolt in Barnard Castle who have successfully completed the six-week programme which combines classroom learning with pitch sessions.

The workshops are designed to develop leadership skills, build positive relationships and accelerate their technical and leadership skills which can easily be transferred into the workplace upon release into the community.

The project was founded in 2018 by David Dein MBE, former Vice-Chairman of Arsenal and the Football Association, who is Chair of the Trustee Board and registered CIO, with the aim of twinning each of the 117 prisons across England and Wales with professional football clubs.

Commissioner Allen said: “This is a fantastic project capitalising on the power of sport to unleash talent, skills and personal drive and I’m proud to support its work in Durham.

“Not only do prisoners achieve a recognised qualification by participating in this scheme they also develop valuable skills that will serve them well in their future careers and make them more attractive to a potential employer. The initiative is also playing a vital role in promoting physical and mental wellbeing among the prison community, helping people to stay positive and focused.

“Tackling reoffending is a priority for me and I am working closely with criminal justice partners to stop the revolving door of crime. By better preparing prisoners for when they leave, we’ll increase the likelihood of them securing jobs and avoiding a return to offending. Fewer offences mean fewer victims of crime and safer communities.”

The Twinning Project has seen Hartlepool United twinned with HMP Deerbolt for a period of two years.

Hartlepool United is also twinned with HMP Holme House and has been delivering the accredited FA Level 1 coaching qualification since 2020.

Graeme Clark, Twinning Project Relationship Lead for the North of England, said; “A big thank you to the Durham PCC for providing the funding for the Twinning Project FA Level 1 Developing Leadership Through Football Scheme at HMP Deerbolt and to the Senior Management Team for providing opportunity.

“The scheme has grown in status and stature within the establishment with both the PE Department and Hartlepool United developing a strong relationship over the last two years. A scheme which has been hugely successful and beneficial to the offenders that have engaged.

We look forward to the second cohort and future collaboration with the Durham PCC, HMP Deerbolt, and Hartlepool United Community moving forward.”

Other partnerships include HMP Northumberland and Newcastle United, HMP Low Newton and Sunderland AFC, HMP Kirklevington and Sunderland AFC, Middlesbrough FC, and HMP Durham & Sunderland AFC.

The courses have been well attended within establishments, with significant positive outcomes reported including improved behaviours, enhanced physical and mental wellbeing and improved relationships between inmates and staff.

The Twinning Project is also committed to supporting graduates on release by putting them in touch with football clubs within their home area and through the gaining of further qualifications.