How Premier League club helps reintegrate prisoners

Southampton manager Russell Martin said the scheme could help reintegrate released prisoners into the community

A mentoring scheme run by a Premier League football club is changing the lives of prisoners as they are released, an inmate has said.

Saints Restart is run by Southampton FC's charity arm - the Saints Foundation - to reduce reoffending rates for prisoners leaving HMP Winchester through advice and physical activity sessions.

On a visit to the prison, Southampton manager Russell Martin said it was helping prisoners "reintegrate into the community".

One of the 70 inmates involved said: "Without it, there would be a lot of people struggling."

The Saints Foundation has worked with prisoners at HMP Winchester

Working with other agencies, the Saints Restart initiative involves group workshops, physical activity sessions and one-to-one mentoring aimed at preparing inmates with less than six months of their sentence remaining, for life outside prison.

Since September 2023, a rolling eight-week programme of workshops has focused on issues such as finding accommodation, getting a job, substance misuse, family relationships and mental health.

Government figures from 2022 showed 67% of adults who were homeless when they left prison committed a further offence within a year.

Of those who were in work six weeks after being released from custody, 17% reoffended within a year, compared to 35% of those who were still unemployed.

Russell Martin said such schemes were a "massive responsibility" for the football club.

"I spent a lot of time visiting friends and people in prison growing up," he said.

"The power of something like this that the club can offer and attach themselves to is way beyond winning or losing a football match on a Saturday.

"Hopefully it can keep impacting lots of people's lives."

Steve, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, is 54 and serving an 18-month sentence having been in prison three times before

He said: “I was starting to get depressed and really anxious.

"Restart has made me feel positive, it’s been that bridging voice, between us and what happens next.”

Southampton manager Russell Martin held a coaching session at Winchester Prison's gym

Another inmate whose name has also been changed, Andy, said: "You've got a routine [in prison]. Going back to daily life when you've got to stand on your own feet again - its a shock to anyone.

"This gives you some guidance to help you on your way when you out.

"You can ask the questions that are needed - it helps you process things, these emotions and anxieties, that's all going to help when you're released."

He said the element of sport within the scheme was "massive".

"If you are struggling to deal with anything - you can vent using sport, you can meet other people - it's like a free medicine, it makes you feel good," he added.

The mentoring contact continues after release, with departing inmates met at the prison gate before being taken to approved accommodation.

The pull of the football club is then used to keep people on track and help break cycles of reoffending.

Jed Haney of the Saints Foundation said: "The power of the badge is that everyone wants to be involved with a Premier League football team and upon release it's a big carrot that can be dangled.

“But, also turning up to watch games with their family - especially if they have children - taking them to a game is huge."