"The young men featured in these photographs were on an Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP). As part of their bail conditions or their sentence they were required to spend 25 hours under intensive supervision for the first 3 months. The rigorous regime was monitored by a team of dedicated workers offering support through 25 hours of contact time a week, including during evenings and weekends. During this time, young people were engaged in education and training, workshops to tackle offending behaviour, reparation works in the community, assistance in developing interpersonal skills and family support.

Young people have been vilified in the media over last few years and society today seems to have a lower opinion of the youth in this country than at any time before. Whilst the young people in these photographs have had serious issues to confront in their lives, it is essential that our society is able to recognise the factors that have brought them to this situation and to give them the best hope for their futures. Whilst the consequences of their actions must be addressed and should not be minimised, it is time that young people were respected and nurtured. Where circumstances have led them astray, we must offer constructive support and rehabilitation."

Mike Abrahams

www.mikeabrahams.com

All images © Mike Abrahams