A personal story from police and criminal justice system
The experiences of Graham, a 16-year-old student in a residential school, who got into trouble with the police but has learnt from his mistakes and is changing his life.
“[When I was 14,] I was robbing shops, taking Valium, up all weekend. I walked across the road, then staggered back into the path of a double decker bus. It was doing 30mph. Doctors said I was lucky to live.
“I was getting mad with it all the time. I was taking Valium and smashed my mother’s place up, got the jail and came here. I’m off all that now. Don’t touch it.
“This is a good place man because the staff help you to think clearer. I’d like to get a job, get out of here and get on with my life. You cannae be causing trouble all your life. I’ve matured basically. I’m thinking clearly now. I’ve changed. You learn from your mistakes.
“I haven’t been to [mainstream] school since my first week in second year. I battered a teacher. You can get peace and quiet here, learn to be independent. I’ll be here a few months and then up the road to move on.”
Graham, student in residential school, 16
Find out more
Read the full version of this section of the Corporate Parenting Guidance on the Scottish Government website.