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International Women’s Day is on Thursday 8th March and to celebrate, we’re sharing some of our female graduates inspirational stories. Today’s story is from Jamie*.
Jamie was arrested and charged with GBH in 2015. After 15 years in an abusive relationship, where she was subjected to repeated verbal and physical abuse, she stabbed him out of fear for her life when he threatened to kill her. Jamie was sentenced to three years in prison. Jamie had also been a heroin addict for 20 years , becoming addicted after using the drug to numb the pain when her brother had died in her early 20s. When she came to prison, Jamie detoxed and became clean. On her release, her ex-partner tracked her down and bombarded her with letters and calls until she finally met up with him again, relapsed and was sent back to prison where she spent the rest of her licence. This time Jamie was determined to stay clean and do something with her life.
She joined the Clink and worked really hard to complete her NVQ Level 2 as she was an avid gardener. This is where she met her support worker Liz. She again went on a drug detox and put all her energy into drug rehabilitation courses and gardening. Before release, Liz liaised closely with the Drugs Team to assist Jamie with her referral to a 3 month drug rehabilitation organisation. Jamie had to sit a lengthy interview and had to wait whilst the local authority decided whether to fund her. Due to her success and fantastic progress, she received the funding to join the rehab on release where she could continue the excellent work she had started. Liz met her on the day of her release and they went together. The rehab organisation is in the countryside so there was lots of scope for Jamie to hone her gardening skills. They also have a few animals she helps to look after too.
Jamie is coming up to her second month in the rehab organisation and has now been clean for 9 months. She is now a mentor for new members coming in, is sharing her story at Narcotics Anonymous meetings outside the rehab organisation and is busy gaining skills that will help her integrate back into life after the 3 months are finished. She has gained an incredible amount of confidence and motivation to stay clean and go back to work. She has started looking for potential gardening positions and housing options.
*Jamie’s name has been changed.
