Grounds for Change: Brewing fair chances inside and out.

Author

Esther Champion
August 19, 2025

We’re half way through August and I for one have topped up my vitamin D levels very well so far, although it looks as though the sun has been and gone! Spare a thought for those in prison who don’t have aircon, a fan, or windows to open wide and bring in the breeze to help keep them cool on the hot days. Summer is a slower time for us at Myrtos Consultancy, but we’ve still been having some encouraging meetings and making some exciting connections. In this edition we shine a spotlight on Redemption Roasters Barista programme, and celebrate our Prison of the Month where a focus on addressing the route cause of offending behaviour has huge benefits. Stay tuned, soak up what’s left of the sunshine, and let’s keep pushing for progress. But before we dive in, take a look at what’s been happening in the Justice system recently.

Lack of accommodation causing longer prison stays...
Whilst we normally talk about the benefits of employment when it comes to reducing reoffending, accommodation also plays a significant part in this process. The fact that there are people in prison who have been deemed suitable for release, but are unable to leave due to a lack of accommodation is simply not acceptable. It is prohibiting people from moving on with their lives, and reintegrating back into the community. Whilst this article talks mainly about Probation Hostels, lack of accommodation is an issue for many prison leavers. Landlords, insurers, and estate agents all need to be more open to providing housing to prison leavers rather than discriminating against them. Read the full article here

Business showcase; which business has impressed us this month…

Changing Lives Through Coffee: The Redemption Roasters Model

Redemption Roasters is redefining rehabilitation by training prison residents and leavers in professional coffee skills, from roasting and logistics to barista artistry. Operating inside HMP The Mount and other UK prisons, their programmes build confidence, provide above-standard wages, and equip participants with the tools to secure meaningful employment upon release.

Their community academies extend this support beyond prison walls, offering continued training and job placement in their London coffee shops or partner networks. With a reoffending rate of just 3% among their participants (compared to the national average of 38%) Redemption Roasters is proving that purposeful employment can be a powerful force for change.

What’s more, their coffee tastes incredible!

Read more about their incredible work here

Prison of the month…

HMP Grendon is a therapeutic prison. Unlike conventional prisons, Grendon operates as a therapeutic community where inmates, who have committed some of Britain's most serious crimes, voluntarily engage in intensive psychological treatment and group therapy. The approach, which focuses on addressing deep-seated issues like childhood trauma rather than simply on punishment, has been shown to reduce reoffending rates, offering a powerful example of how a different approach to criminal justice can lead to more positive and long-lasting outcomes for both individuals and society. It raises a key question: what is the true purpose of our justice system; punishment or rehabilitation? Read more here

A sign explaining that a Psychotherapeutic drama session is in progress

Our highlights of the month

  • Holiday! We were very blessed to have had not just one holiday but 2! We spent a few days in Prague and learnt that Czechia has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, which not surprisingly could be linked to the fact that they also have one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe too! We also had a wonderful family holiday to the New Forest. Read our Linkedin Post here

  • Potential collaborations: We have continued to network and have two potential collaborations coming up with a training provider, as well as with a support provider who assists people who have a criminal record to get employment. We are also waiting to hear back from another potential collaboration which could enable us to empower landlords to do more with housing prison leavers.

  • Steps to wellbeing course: We will be running our first 4 week online CPD Steps to wellbeing course in October (7th, 14th, 21st, 28th), 7.30pm-9pm covering Perfectionism, Anxiety, Healthy Relationships, and Resilience. This course is being run at half price, only £75 per person. Bookings now being taken. Contact me at [email protected] for more information and a booking form.

One of the many beautiful scenes from Prague

If you have any questions, feedback, or criminal justice items you’d like us to cover, then do get in touch and let us know.

Until next time, don’t delay in increasing your inclusive work practices today…