RECONNECT is a care after custody service that seeks to improve the continuity of care of people leaving prison or an IRC with an identified health need. We operate a hybrid model of support where we work with individuals up to 12-weeks before their release and up to 6 months post-release in order to support the transition to community-based services, thereby safeguarding health gains made whilst in prison or an IRC.
RECONNECT aims to improve the wellbeing of people leaving prison, reduce inequalities, and address health-related drivers of offending behaviours. RECONNECT offers liaison, advocacy, signposting, and support to facilitate engagement with community-based health and support services. Our services are designed to be client focused and work in a holistic manner to ensure appropriate support is offered to enable our clients to reach their goals.
We provide a range of support to RECONNECT service users, including:
Support with registering with a GP.
Referrals to mental health or counselling services.
Substance use support.
Relapse prevention.
Setting up dental and/or optician appointments.
Supporting with attending appointments.
Advocacy and signposting.
Access to peer mentors.
Our East of England RECONNECT service is available for individuals who:
Are over the age of 18.
Have a designated healthcare need.
Are due to be released from prison or an IRC in the next 12 weeks.
We also accept referrals up to 28 days post release.
As of April 2025, we also offer this service to individuals who will be residing in the below areas on release:
Bedfordshire.
Cambridgeshire.
Essex.
Hertfordshire.
Milton Keynes.
Norfolk.
Suffolk.
Our teams offer a regular presence at the below prisons in order to sufficiently support those suitable for RECONNECT by offering face-to-face assessments, attending pre-release meetings, and offering dedicated release planning support to our service users.
Prisons eligible for RECONNECT support are:
HMP Bedford.
HMP Bure.
HMP Littlehey.
HMP Norwich.
HMP Peterborough.
HMP The Mount.
HMP Wayland.
HMP Whitemoor.
HMP Woodhill.
IRC Yarl's Wood.
RECONNECT operates an open-door referral system where referrals are accepted from all means, providing there is consent from the client. Those we accept referrals from include probation services, friends & family, and healthcare providers. We also accept self-referrals.
Please use our contact details below to request a copy of our referral forms or for additional information.
For more information on our East of England RECONNECT services, please get in touch by calling 0300 303 2035 or sending a message to EoE.Reconnect.SPOC@forwardtrust.org.uk.
