Current timestamp: 01/02/2023 15:22:25
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

Thanks for trying the 'beta' version of our new website. It's a work in progress, we'll be adding new services over the next few weeks, so please take a look and tell us what you think.

Get started

staffordshire-police-logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
    • Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Staffordshire woman praises “honest” IOM staff in turning her life around

Main article content

Navigation

News

00:00 06/02/2021

A woman from Staffordshire, who spent time behind bars following a history of theft and related offences, has admitted she might not be here today if it wasn’t for the “honesty” of the team behind her rehabilitation.

Staffordshire’s IOM (Integrated Offender Management Team) is a partnership agency that consists of police, probation, health services and other agencies within the community that helps prevent people, subject to a community order or on licence, from reoffending by addressing the crime that’s been committed.

The aim is to rehabilitate and prevent the return to prison whilst reducing the number of victims.

Natalie*, who’s been known to the criminal justice system since 1997, has now turned her life around following a difficult start to life – involving a turbulent personal life and substance misuse.

She said: “I was on drugs from the age of 12 and not long after that I started offending. I was in and out of prison from the age of 16 and I couldn’t get out of it. I was hurting people that didn’t deserve to be hurt and I was in a bad way.

“There was a reason I took drugs and I didn’t want to change. When I tried to change, I tried to do it for other people but things are different since I agreed to work with IOM.

“They’ve done a lot to bring me to where I am now and, although I can’t change the past, I can now look at moving forward to the future. I won’t look back and that’s down to them.

“They key to it all is honesty. I was struggling at first and didn’t tell them a lot of things and that led to me messing up last year.

“However, I’ve since been able to tell them when something’s wrong, if I feel down or when I falter and that honesty has really helped, because they’ve been really honest with me too. If you’re not honest, you’re not getting anywhere. Tell them how you feel or if you’ve done something and they can work around it and help you to move forward.

“I couldn’t thank them enough. They believed in me and never gave up on me and because of that I had more faith and belief in myself. I had the courage to move forward, something I didn’t have beforehand. They cared and that made me want to become a better person.

“They truly care about you as a person and want to help. We’ve got a great relationship and, although I’ve now finished my licence, they’re still there for me should I need it.

“It’s completely turned my life around and I’ve now got people who trust in me. These guys have helped me get my family back when I had nothing. Nobody wanted to know me, when I was in the situation I was in - on drugs and in prison. I’m now clean and understand why my family acted in the way they did. I’ve now got everything I’ve ever wanted and I’m moving forward with my life – something I didn’t think possible before.

“There are a lot benefits to this and I feel so good that I’m a different person. If I didn’t get recalled I’m not sure I’d still be here.”

Probation Officer, Kerry Wright said; “The progress made is all down to Natalie. She’s wanted to make a change and she has. The IOM has helped massively by providing a more cohesive support structure around her and we’re proud of her – she’s come such a long way.”

Lesley Webb’s an IOM Constable who worked with Natalie. She said; “Without he IOM I can’t see how we would effectively reduce and manage crime in any other way and striking up strong relationships with people like Natalie has been key.

“We completed a pathway assessment of her and have helped her turn her life around because she wanted it. She hasn’t reoffended since 2018 and continues to make positive progress with her life. It’s great news.”

You can hear more on Natalie’s story and the work done by the Integrated Offender Management team by tuning in to The Beat Podcast by Staffordshire Police.

*Natalie is not her real name. We’ve changed her name to protect her identity.

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Staffordshire Police

  • Contact us
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.