Criminal cash to fund ex-convict support centre

Friday 04 October 2019

More than £60,000 confiscated from criminals will be used to fund Jersey's first drop-in centre to support those newly released from prison.

The Treasury Minister has signed off the transfer in a Ministerial Decision allowing for £61,500 to be transferred from the Criminal Offences Confiscation Fund (COCF) to complete a charitable centre which provides post-release help and support for former offenders.

The COCF is a pot of money accumulated by confiscation proceedings in the Royal Court. If a convicted person is found to have financially benefitted from their criminal activity, a proportion of their assets are deemed to be ‘tainted’ in the eyes of the Court and therefore seized from them.

Deputy Susie Pinel last week rubber-stamped the transaction to complete the ‘Life Centre’, which will be “Jersey’s first drop in centre developed primarily to support ex-prisoners.” 

Pictured: The Treasury Minister Deputy Susie Pinel.

The decision states: “It has been designed as a safe and friendly space which will provide much needed support for people who are struggling to settle back into the community. 

“The project not only works with individuals but also with families, both of prisoners and ex-prisoners and provides mentoring support and practical support (such as helping individuals find suitable accommodation and employment), in order to help people move away from their offending behaviour and become contributing members of society.”

The centre is run by a charity which was started by a former Probation Officer Kevin Houiellebecq. According to the charity’s website, it was his experiences within the Jersey Probation and Aftercare Service which motivated him to found the ‘Freedom for Life Ministries’ – now known as ‘Living Hope'.

“[Kevin] greatly enjoyed this work [as a Probation Officer]. A number of those he met genuinely seemed to be looking for a way to break out of their cycle of crime and addiction, yet frustratingly he often saw many of them return over and over again."

Pictured: The Life Centre is based in Vauxhall Street. (Google Maps)

It continues: “…Kevin knew he had to find a way to explain that freedom could be found for their lives today, and that their past did not have to define their future.

“Kevin’s desire was to establish a way of supporting people in a holistic way – physically, emotionally and spiritually. He took the step to leave the probation service and after about one year of planning and preparation, his ministry was established.

‘Living Hope’ functions on Christian principles, but they emphasise that they “support people of all backgrounds and beliefs".

They offer services such as a mentoring/befriending scheme, practical help with re-integration after release from prison, as well as support and discussion groups.