Shaquiel Campous was 15 when he was first sent to prison for possession with the intent to supply drugs. When he was released 14 months later, he knew he didn’t want to go back.
“I knew I wanted to stay on the right path,” Campous, now 27, told Insider, “[But] I didn’t know anybody. The only people I knew were criminals.”
Campous’ experience is typical of the situation many former prisoners face after their release. Left to fend for themselves, without access to proper support services, connections, or funds they can easily become trapped in a vicious cycle and once again, turn to crime.
This was the case for Campous, who reoffended and spent another two years behind bars.
