“I participated in the Kainos 28 programme and as a mentor on the Kainos 29 programme. I am now a category C prisoner.

“When I arrived here, I came across an old associate who knew me from my days before I came to prison. During the conversation, he told he he couldn’t believe I was the same person and that I had changed for the better. He asked me what had happened [and] I told him about the Kainos programme.

“It was a real challenge to change but the change has made me the person I am today and I can now live a better life. I owe a lot to the facilitators who supported me and made me realise where I was going wrong. I am grateful for all [that the team] have done for me and they remain in my thoughts. Thank you.”

[Name changed to protect identity]