A Groundbreaking Milestone – Women in Prison Access Own My Life for the First Time

At Own My Life, we’re overjoyed to share some truly groundbreaking news: for the first time ever, women in prison have been able to access an Own My Life course – not inside a prison, but out in the community.

This pioneering project saw four women, currently serving sentences, take part in Own My Life while on day release – officially known as Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL). Supported by a courageous and forward-thinking prison and delivered by a compassionate, skilled team from a local organisation, this marks a huge milestone for the reach and impact of our work.

Due to the sensitive and unique nature of this project, the prison and delivery organisation involved are anonymous – but their bold action deserves to be recognised and celebrated.

Why This Matters

The project began with the prison identifying a stark and deeply concerning gap: there were very few resources available to women in custody who had been subjected to abuse by a partner or ex-partner. Given that the vast majority of women in prison have been abused by a partner – and that, for many, their offending is a direct consequence of that abuse – this gap cannot be ignored.

Whether a partner has coerced into criminal activity, financially manipulated them, or has violently assaulted them so that they are living with the consequences of brain injuries, many women are in prison primarily because of what has been done to them rather than because of what they have done.

In this context, accessing support isn’t a luxury – it’s essential. And ironically, prison may be the first place where women are free enough to seek it. Away from abusive partners, children, or the overwhelming burden of surviving day-to-day, they may finally have the space and safety to reflect, learn, and heal.

A Bold New Approach

Rather than delivering Own My Life within the prison walls, the project team facilitated something even more radical: enabling four women to join a community-based Own My Life course while on day release (ROTL).

With careful risk assessments and strong support structures in place – including confidentiality around the women’s current residence – the women joined a mixed group of participants from various backgrounds. This allowed them not only to engage with the Own My Life content, but also to rebuild confidence in engaging with the wider world, making choices, and connecting with others outside the prison system.

For many women leaving prison, the reality of managing finances, motherhood, maintaining a tenancy, and making decisions independently can be overwhelming. This course gave them a chance to begin building those skills in a safe and supported way.

Celebrating Transformation

Last week, our CEO and founder Natalie Collins had the privilege of joining a celebration event inside the prison alongside the women who completed the course, their invited guests, course facilitators, the delivery organisation’s CEO, and senior prison staff.

It was an emotional, powerful and joyful gathering. The women spoke movingly about how Own My Life had changed them. Some shared that, despite accessing other domestic abuse courses in the past, Own My Life had felt completely different – more empowering, more relevant, and ultimately, more life-changing.

Several said they hadn’t recognised the abuse they had been subjected to until going through Own My Life. Now, they’re not only beginning to understand their experiences – they’re starting to reclaim their futures.

Looking Ahead

Every woman who took part in the course was clear: this opportunity shouldn’t be rare or exceptional. All women in prison should have access to Own My Life. Prison staff who attended the celebration echoed this, having seen for themselves the difference the course had made to women.

The course facilitators are hopeful too – not only has this project had a transformative impact for these four women, but the prison is now keen to involve more women in future community-based courses.

This small pilot could spark a much larger movement, one that gives women leaving prison the best possible chance of staying free: free from offending and free from an abuser.

A Call to Action

We’re thrilled that this project has proven what’s possible when a prison genuinely committed to women’s wellbeing partners with an organisation delivering Own My Life with care and skill.

Now, we want to see this model grow.

If you’re an Own My Life course provider near a women’s prison, we encourage you to explore how your organisation might support similar work. We’re here to help – please get in touch if you’d like guidance on how to build a partnership or navigate the ROTL process (email us: info@ownmylifecourse.org).

There is no greater priority for us than seeing women in prison supported to own their lives. And now we know it can happen – when the right people work together with purpose, compassion, and vision.

Let’s keep going – because every woman deserves the chance to truly own her life.