RECONNECT, Care After Custody

We can help you access local community-based health and social care support as you leave prison.

This can include:

• Access to health and wellbeing services
• Drug, alcohol or addiction support
• Employment or education
• Financial assistance, including benefit services
• Signposting to housing or accommodation services

Following an assessment with a care practitioner, we can create a support plan with you, to help maintain your health and wellbeing needs once released from prison. 

Before and after your release, you will be assisted by a Peer Supporter Worker (PSW) or Support Time and Recovery (STR) worker, to help your transition back into your community easier. 

Our PSWs and STRs have direct experience, or a good understanding, of the criminal justice system and the challenges faced by those leaving custody, court or prison. 

Access to RECONNECT is by referral. This can be done 12 weeks before you're due to be released from prison or up to 28 days after.

You can request a referral by the mental health team in prison, or Probation or health service while you’re serving your sentence. Friends or family can also make a personal referral, or you can refer yourself to RECONNECT when you are released. See our ‘personal referrals’ section for information.

RECONNECT is available at the following prisons in Thames Valley:

• HMYOI Aylesbury
• HMP Bullingdon
• HMP Grendon
• HMP Springhill

RECONNECT is available at HMP Winchester in Hampshire.

If you need to contact the RECONNECT team please email our Thames Valley or Hampshire team:

Thames Valley email RECONNECTReferrals@berkshire.nhs.uk

Hampshire email HampshireRECONNECTReferrals@berkshire.nhs.uk

Visit NHS England's website to read more about RECONNECT (opens new browser tab)

Professionals can make a referral to RECONNECT 12 weeks before, or up to 28 days after release.

There are two ways to make a referral.

Online form

Use one of our online referral forms

Thames Valley RECONNECT Care After Custody Referral Request  (new browser tab)

Hampshire RECONNECT Care After Custody Referral Request (new browser tab)

Referral document 

Download and complete our referral form for Thames Valley or Hampshire

View our RECONNECT referral form (pdf)

Send the file to one of the relevant email addresses:

Email Thames Valley ReconnectReferrals@berkshire.nhs.uk

Email Hampshire HampshireReconnectReferrals@Berkshire.nhs.uk

Family and Friends

We understand that having a friend or family member in prison can also be difficult for those they leave behind. Friends and family can make referrals on behalf of their loved ones or encourage them to self-refer while in prison or on release.

You must have consent from the person you're referring before contacting our team. Without this, we won't be able to contact them.

If you're referring yourself and have recently been released from prison, you can contact our team directly within 28 days of returning to the community. 

Before you make a referral, please read the list of conditions on this page. 

Referral details

Please send the following information to the relevant mailbox below.

• Name (of prisoner/recently released prisoner) 
• Release date
• Date of birth
• Current/former prison 
• Area of release
• Name of community offender manager (if known) 
• Your name (referrer) 
• Your contact number
• Your email address
• Reason for referral

Send your email

Email Thames Valley referrals ReconnectReferrals@berkshire.nhs.uk

Email Hampshire referrals hampshirereconnectreferrals@berkshire.nhs.uk

Someone from our team will contact the person you have referred, to ask if they would like post custody community support.

If they agree, the team will do a screening assessment.