AN INNOVATIVE scheme aimed at cutting the cycle of re-offending by petty criminals set free from prison, has earned a big Lottery grant. Until now there had been no support for short-term prisoners leaving Canterbury jail and research showed that many offenders simply ended up back in prison.

But a successful bid by the Canterbury and Rochester Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility has resulted in a grant from the Lottery's community fund of nearly £190,000. The money is for a three year initiative and will largely fund a new post of community resources co-ordinator, based at the prison.

The scheme will also rely on recruiting volunteer mentors to help ex-prisoners re-integrate back into the community and find accommodation and jobs.