RECOOP promotes the care, resettlement and rehabilitation of older prisoners, and those who have been sanctioned by the criminal justice system, in particular people over the age of 50. RECOOP works through the provision of support services, advocacy, financial advice and mentoring on issues such as employment and training, and also offer advice on housing and health. The aim is to enable older prisoners on release to take control of their lives and remain free from future involvement in the justice system, and prevent them from becoming socially excluded.

There are specific needs for the older group of prisoners, for example:

RECOOP supports and advises older people on release from prison to improve opportunities for resettlement and rehabilitation and raises awareness of the needs of older prisoners at regional and national level.

Bounce Back acts as a 'bridge' between prison and full time employment. Bounce Back is a painting and decorating social enterprise focussed on helping ex offenders have a practical skill to use on their release from custody. Working in several prisons, it offers training, work experience and employment to offenders at the end of their sentences using the skills developed both in custody and on release.

On release the candidates are inducted at the Bounce Back centre where they complete training, gain further qualifications up to and beyond NVQ Level 2 or upskill in new trades. A number of paint and wallpaper companies invite the team to learn about their products and methods as part of the training, so they are equipped to handle a variety of work.

Once training is complete the team work on voluntary painting and decorating projects in the local community. This gives them a brief period of work experience prior to paid employment that allows them to develop and apply the skills learned during training. Candidates can then move into paid employment in response to a number of jobs currently available.

Study carried out ‘to gain an in-depth understanding of the attitudes and expectations of prisoners immediately prior to and following their release from prison. It also aimed to gain an understanding of their views on the impact of support services on the decisions they made and experiences following release.’ The research covers housing, employment, finances and substance misuse issues.