The legacy of Journeys to Freedom

The Journeys to Freedom project was born out of a recognition that women leaving prison face a different set of challenges to male prison-leavers and need different support. Women in prison have significantly higher levels of trauma and substance misuse than the general population; many will also be parents or primary carers for children. Finding suitable accommodation is a key challenge, and has major repercussions for the custody of children, their employment prospects, and their mental health and wellbeing. This project offered tailored and holistic support for women preparing for release & for 6 months afterwards and supported over 100 women during its 6-year duration.

Theresa O’Connor had worked on the project since its beginning.

“It’s been an honour to be part of this project. I’ve been able to help women turn their lives around and have witnessed them rebuild from scratch. There is so much ability and talent in prison, and this project has seen a lot of success stories. I’ve met women leaving prison who are incredibly talented & intelligent, who just need a helping hand. I still hear from women who I helped 4 or 5 years ago! As well as the practical support with housing and so on, my role has really been to offer some encouragement and guidance to help them get back to where they were before they lost their way.

When I first joined Pact, it felt like I was stepping into a family reunion—albeit one with fewer awkward conversations and more meaningful connections. It was a delightful mix of friendship, support, and creativity – and just the right amount of chaos! The women I help always thank me personally, but I tell them it is the whole of Pact that has helped. I can see Pact’s values in everything they do, from the staff and volunteers to the leadership team. Pact’s values are the same as my values. People are capable of change and can grow past their mistakes. I’m leaving with real pride to have been part of their journeys to success.”

We are also hugely encouraged by the fact that the Journeys to Freedom project has left a lasting legacy; the introduction of 11 dedicated Family Resettlement Workers across the women’s prison estate, funded by HMPPS. This is a great example of how Pact’s creativity and innovation allow us to craft services which directly meet the needs of the people we support. These innovations can then change thinking and practice within the criminal justice system and improve the lives of the people within it. Thank you to Theresa, Joana and everyone who contributed!