About freeasabird

freeasabird is a project for women offenders and ex-offenders in London.

If you have experience of the criminal justice system, you can use this website to share your thoughts. Women offenders and ex-offenders can advise each other on resettlement issues, and pass on information.

Register with freeasabird's social network to discuss questions around jobs, family, housing, money, health, and how to get back on your feet. The discussions are in a password protected space only for women offenders and ex-offenders.

You can find out what has or hasn’t worked for people, and watch short films. Get inspired by women who have used their experience in a positive way and turned their life around.

If your not a woman offender, but friends or family then you may still find this site useful. The freeasabird Resettlement Directory is open to anybody! Find out about organisations in your borough, what they do and how they can help you.
You can register as a supporter to hear about news, events or new documentaries by the freeasabird team.
 

What is freeasabird?

- A website to support women coming out of the criminal justice system, including those in
prison, on probation or in the community.
- The website and its content is created and led by women who have already been through the criminal
justice system as they know best what support and advice these women need.

What is on the freeasabird website?

1. A place for women who share a background in the criminal justice system to discuss
topics, post questions, swap ideas and share experiences. This will work a bit like
Facebook or Friends Reunited.
2. A section for women to search our database of over 500 charities and organisations local to them which give support and advice on anything from benefits and rights to training and housing.
3. A selection of films, stories and audio recordings from women who have successfully
broken the offending cycle.

Why do we need it?

- Coming out of prison and settling back into life after an offence can be difficult,
particularly for women who are often put in prison a long way from their families.
- Many women will have to find somewhere new to live, get another job and cope with
financial difficulties or childcare worries.
- There is lots of support for men coming out of prison but very little for women.

How will freeasabird help?

- By providing a place for women to get advice support and information from people who
have been there and know what it’s like.
- As the service is online it will be easy to use, low cost and anonymous so women won’t
have to make appointments, meet people face to face or use the telephone to get the
support they need.