Kingston and Richmond Council’s Leaving Care service has pioneered the Prison Box project which delivers packages of essential items to young people in prison. The project was developed following a visit to a young person in prison, who fed back to the team that he had been given a towel and underwear which had already been used by a number of people. The team have worked closely with young people, including those who have come out of prison, to define what the packages should include. The core components of the packages include tracksuits, socks, underwear, sliders, trainers, a large bath towel, first class stamps, duvets, mattress protector, pillows and bed sets, a curtain for privacy, although the packages can be personalised to the young person. The team also provides young people with books, enabling them to contribute and feedback comments via letter to a wider service book club. Careful consideration has been given to the nature of the items, for example providing non-branded, plain clothing as young people were worried branded items may be stolen. Given that some prisons only accept two packages every year for each young person, the project requires the team to collaborate closely with the family and friends to maximise what each young person can receive.
A Prison Box is now a standard offer for care leavers in Kingston and Richmond, with the team also providing packages to young people in hospital. Some other London local authorities have also taken the project forward, with the intention of developing it as a pan-London offer for young care leavers and the backing of the Reducing Reoffending Lead for London prisons. With positive feedback from the young people receiving a Prison Box, the project is hoped to contribute to longer-term better outcomes for young care leavers, who understand they are being listened to and valued by their local authority support service.