Lincoln City is one of 32 professional clubs across the Football League that have joined a national project to work with prisons in an attempt to reduce re-offending rates amongst inmates.
The Twinning Project will be working closely with HMP Lincoln and the football club to provide courses that help the prisoners readjust to life after their sentence finishes.
Courses for the project are to help prisoners in leadership skills and football coaching. It is set to commence in the second quarter of this year, with February 2019 set to be a pivotal month in providing the platform for these opportunities.
Currently in the UK adults re-offend at a rate of 63.8% and juveniles re-offend at a rate of 41.6% in the twelve months after release.
Premier League clubs as well as Lincoln City, are looking to promote local rehabilitation and engage with communities.
David Dein, former chairman of Arsenal Football Club and founder of the Twinning Project said this in relation to it’s positive impact: “Since its launch, the Twinning Project has seen huge interest and enthusiasm from across the UK football family and prison service”.
More clubs since the start of the year have joined the scheme and it is looking at more clubs across the country and even in the National League, to get behind the scheme.
Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Davison of Lincolnshire Police, works for the Assisting Rehabilitation through Collaboration Scheme (ARC) and said this on reducing re-offending rates: “Early intervention and treatment of individuals, is essential in making sure that we improve these lives”.
A prison spokesman who cannot be named for legal reasons, said:
“The Twinning Project has the potential to change lives by pairing the likes of Lincoln City FC and HMP Lincoln.
“While it is too early to judge the impact on re-offending, we remain confident that this project will improve the life chances of prisoners by supporting their resettlement into the community.”
Justice Secretary Lord Justice Gauke has since said this in relation to the scheme: “I am delighted to see so many football clubs supporting this wonderful project”.
The Alliance for Sport has congratulated David Dein and the various clubs that have joined the programme. They are wanting more clubs to follow suit, before and after the courses are underway.
For more information on the Twinning Project, head to the official website.