Dear Sir,

I have been employed as a discipline officer within The Kainos unit, D Wing at HMP The Verne for approximately 7 months. This is the first opportunity within my career in the service of working on a community based wing. I have found the change of job interesting and diverse.

The Kainos community works well within the dorm accommodation, the men get an opportunity to live in close quarters and function as a community. The men have to resolve any arising problems and disputes amongst themselves.

The men undertake several in depth courses as part of being on the unit, I have personally witnessed men who have had problems communicating and sharing their life experiences, open up and start to trust other members within the course. I have seen shy withdrawn men grasp the confidence to stand up in front of a large group and challenge other men’s behaviour. The community provides a place of trust and guidance, a phenomenal amount of support is received from the voluntary mentors. The men seem to react well to the compassion and understanding shown by the volunteers on group days like ‘Good Neighbour Weekends’. I feel that the  wing offers a multi-cultural community that promotes tolerance and the ability to live in harmony.

The motto ‘Challenge to Change’ can be seen working within the community. The transformation of the men proves to me that this community works and I feel that there should be more of these within the service.

More quotes from Prison Staff:
“Kainos is the best programme the prison service has, bar none and should be in every single prison”

The Kainos programme does more than ETS, SOTP, R&R as participants have to live the programme for months”.

“There is a total commitment by prison and Kainos staff to the programme”.

“Kainos is an essential programme for those wanting to move on and change”.

“If asked is the programme of benefit and does it work? Then I would definitely say yes”.