“ The Probation Service originated in the early years of the last century in the work of faith communities in advising, assisting and befriending ex-prisoners. Central to this was enabling them to gain access to sustainable employment and sustainable accommodation.The Ex-Cell Programme aspires to reinterpret those values in the context of the early 21st century.”

“I know from my own experience that trying to get a job after you’ve left prison is the hardest thing there is. No one’s interested in you if you’ve got any sort of criminal record.But Ex-Cell gave me a chance and now I’m helping them to help other ex-prisoners get into work."