"Lock them up and throw away the key"

How often have you heard others say (and possibly said yourself) that prison isn’t a punishment?? Heard rants about children getting access to TV’s, PlayStation, chocolate, football.? That prison is just a holiday camp that “criminals” don’t deserve; they are there to be punished right?? But what is a punishment? What is the true purpose of custody?? Is it about punishment, or is it about rehabilitation???

I want you to imagine arriving at a 5 star all-inclusive resort anywhere in the world you choose.? Its beautiful everything you imagined and more, it’s the perfect weather, the staff are friendly and helpful, you are shown to your suite which has a comfy bed, jacuzzi bath and incredible views.? You are just a minutes’ walk from the white sandy beach with crystal blue seas, you have access to swimming pools, unlimited food and drinks at all you can eat buffets, on site a la carte restaurants, coffee houses, in pool bar, ice cream parlour and more.? Alongside this you have a multitude of activities to do onsite, spa, gym, yoga, music, dancing whatever you would love to do.? Sounds great right?? Where do you sign up????

Now imagine you can’t leave … For the next two years.? You still have access to all the above and even complete freedom within the refines of the resort, but you cannot leave.? You cannot spend birthdays, or special occasions with loved ones, the Wi-Fi isn’t great so you can talk to some people on the phone but only at set times.? You cannot attend memorials, say goodbye or attend funerals of those you may lose during that time.? Actually, because you have been here for two years you aren’t sure if your home, job, friends, will still be there when you come back?? How quickly do you think the luxury of this resort would begin to feel like a punishment? Despite access to what you think is everything you could ever want, your freedom, liberty, home and loved ones is so much more significant.? The loss of these aspects of your life IS the punishment.???

Children coming to live with us at Oasis Restore whilst on remand or sentenced will have committed, or been alleged to have committed, some very serious offences. We do not seek to minimise this in any way.? When arriving with us a decision will have been made by a court to restrict their liberty and freedom. If a child has been found guilty and sentenced, it ends there.?? Many of these children come from a life of trauma, of being misunderstood, exploited, discriminated against, missed by services, or not been offered opportunities to take a different path.? All our children will be released back into their communities.? They will be your future trades people, hairdressers, youth workers, bankers, they will go on to be parents, grandparents’ aunties, uncles.? They may be your colleagues’ employees, employers, and neighbours.? Would you prefer they return to society after being “punished”, locked up 23 hours a day, traumatised further, learnt to meet violence with yet more violence, bottle up emotions and anger with no way to express them? Or to return to society with new skills, education and hope, a deeper understanding of themselves, their experiences, and a newfound understanding and drive for life.? To have a plan that creates a life filled with success and opportunities to give back.? They may not be able to change the consequence of their actions or repair directly the harm they may have caused through their offending, but they can give back, they can change the trajectory of their lives to one of success in however that takes shape for them.?

Oasis Restore offers children a therapeutic community to call home, with aspirational care and education at its core.? Aimed not to punish children but provide them everyday with opportunities to learn, heal, give back and move forward in a way that means they can go on to live apart of theirs and your community in the future.?