Joanna studied PET’s IOSH Managing Safely course in 2019 and our NEBOSH Level 3 National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety the following year.
She now works at DHL on their Nisa contract, delivering to just over 500 stores in the North West. She started working with the logistics company on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) while she was in prison.
I was difficult at school, I can’t lie. I didn’t bother with my O-levels because I’d missed a whole year of the coursework, so I wasn’t about to catch up. And then I just abused my life. My dad died, my daughter died, I started taking drugs.
My life was chaos: no structure to my day, absolutely hectic, mixing with the wrong people. I ended up in prison numerous times.
When I came to prison I had no qualifications. But when I went to HMP Eastwood Park I got a mentoring role as a distance learning orderly, encouraging other people to do courses, as well as being a Shannon Trust mentor helping people with their reading and writing.
Before prison, I lived in a two-bedroom bungalow with my two kids… none of the windows opened out enough to escape. That drove me to apply for the IOSH Managing Safely course.
I would try and persuade people: “You’ve got a brain, use it for something constructive.” Anyone with level two English, I would push them a PET prospectus. I would go round and say, “Your next assignment’s due, babe, what’s happening?” I loved that.
Doing a distance learning course myself never entered my head, as much I was trying to persuade other people to do it. But when I went to HMP Drake Hall, I got the bug for continuous learning. I did every course and qualification that I possibly could, everything available through standard prison education. I’m one of these people: once I’ve done what I need to do, I can’t sit still.
It was Surinder – who helped with activities and learning and skills at the prison – who gave me the PET prospectus and said, “It’s your turn now. Have a look and see what you want to do.”
I flicked through and saw the health and safety courses. Before prison, I lived in a two-bedroom bungalow with my two kids. There was only one way in and one way out; there was no fire exit; no smoke alarm; none of the windows opened out enough to escape. That drove me to apply for the IOSH Managing Safely course. I thought, “Right, time to get my own back!” And I’m so glad I did.
Once I started the course, I literally went through the folder in a week. Then when I got started on the NEBOSH Level 3 National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, I didn’t even come out of my room – I was just constantly reading.
DHL offered me a full-time contract upon my release. I came out of prison on the Thursday; the following Tuesday I started work.
The other women would come down and say, “Jo, do you want a coffee?” or “Alright, you need to put that down now – take a break.” They were so nice. It was like having another 18 mothers!
At the same time, I started working for DHL on their ROTL programme. The prison staff had been talking about us going out to work, but I never thought I’d actually get to. I was amazed when they put me out. I think the fact that I had started studying pushed them in favour of it.
I’d come back to the prison at 5pm, have dinner, and stick my head in the book. I was constantly taking notes, preparing for the open book exam. With working and studying, you make it work, don’t you?
When my General Manager at DHL found out that I was doing health and safety courses with PET, he said he would make sure I got to spend some time upstairs with the Health and Safety Manager. And true to his word, that’s what he did.
DHL offered me a full-time contract upon my release. I came out of prison on the Thursday; the following Tuesday I started work. I’ve been there three and a half years now, five if you include my time on ROTL. It feels like I’m going to be there forever – I’ve done longer here than I’ve done in any prison.
I keep in touch with another woman from HMP Eastwood Park who did a distance learning course on fitness. She’s now at university doing a degree.
They’ve given me the opportunity to grow. I started out picking and loading wagons and now I’ve worked my way up to the admin office, so I’m dealing with lorry drivers on a daily basis and the stock that comes in.
I’d really like to get more into health and safety. The managers have set up a development plan for me, so we’ll see how it goes. I keep telling the General Manager that I want his job, but I won’t hold my breath because blue ain’t my colour!
I was amazed when HMP Drake Hall invited me back for an Employment Open Day. It was a room full of women and there were 11 or 12 other organisations there. As we were going around introducing ourselves, I said, “Listen: two years ago, I was sat where you are.” To give them a bit of motivation. A bit of hope. Ours was the busiest stall because of that.
To all PET’s sponsors, the people that donate – it’s priceless what you do. None of what I’ve done would have been possible without PET.
Younger women need to understand that there really is a life after prison. If you can get any help from the prison, from PET, to improve your skills and knowledge while you’re in there, then grab it with both hands. What have you got to lose? I keep in touch with another woman from HMP Eastwood Park who did a distance learning course on fitness. She’s now at university doing a degree.
I’ll be eternally grateful to PET. I’ve still got my health and safety folder and books here, sitting on the TV stand.
I thought it would always be the same: stuck in that revolving door – “I’ve been in prison too many times; I’m no good to no one; my life’s never going to change.” But there’s hope. Look at where I am now – it’s the polar opposite to where I used to be. I now look in the mirror and think, “Who are you? I actually like who you are today.”
To all PET’s sponsors, the people that donate – it’s priceless what you do. None of what I’ve done would have been possible without PET. I’ve gone from rock bottom to being on top of the world.
Jon Harwood, General Manager at DHL, on why DHL started its ROTL programme:
Our involvement with the DHL ROTL programme – the people that we’ve worked with and the contribution that they’ve made – has been excellent. It’s something really positive that DHL is keen to be involved with – to provide the opportunity for people to rehabilitate and to have a second chance.
It’s her attitude, approach and commitment that make her a great employee.
With Joanna, first, foremost and throughout, it’s about her attitude. She has got a real positive work attitude. She’s got commitment. And she’s got some core personal skills. What is very unusual in our environment is that ability to ask a question. And she asks it in an inoffensive way – so sometimes there is a challenge behind it, but you don’t necessarily feel that challenge.
Fundamentally, it’s her attitude, approach and commitment that make her a great employee.
Donate to PET and help people in prison find a new direction. You can also sign up to our email newsletter.