Francesca Fattore, 44, who was once an inmate at HMP Send in Surrey, found inspiration and support from Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. Kate visited the prison during one of Francesca’s 12-week rehab programs for drug offenses. Kate’s genuine interest in her story left Francesca feeling valued and motivated to turn her life around. The experience boosted Francesca’s self-esteem and made her feel worthy. Following Kate’s public cancer announcement, Francesca reached out to offer her support and encouragement, having experienced firsthand the devastating impact of cancer on loved ones, including her own mother who is battling the disease.
Since her time at HMP Send, Francesca has transformed her life and now supports other female inmates through her YouTube channel, UK Ex Female Prisoner. She provides practical advice about life in prison and interviews with former inmates, aiming to help women avoid the cycle of re-offending post-release. Francesca’s experience as a listener with the Samaritans and her work supporting prisoners with addiction issues motivated her to create a safe-space Facebook group for female inmates. She hopes to end the cycle of short sentences leading to homelessness, child loss, and repeated incarceration for women.
Francesca aims to establish a charity to provide financial support to homeless women leaving prison. She plans to implement a buddy system linking reformed ex-prisoners with vulnerable women who have recently been released. Francesca’s transition from drug addiction to supporting others has been driven by her desire to make a positive impact and prevent women from feeling alone during their journey. She credits meeting Kate Middleton as the final push she needed to believe in her ability to change her life and help others in similar situations.
Recognizing the lack of support available to female inmates in the pre and post-prison stages, Francesca and a former prison mental health specialist collaborated to create resources for women facing various challenges after incarceration. Their online community offers a non-judgmental space for women to seek guidance on issues like housing, addiction, and mental health. Drawing from her personal experience and training, Francesca has made it her mission to empower women and provide better solutions to help them reintegrate into society successfully.
Francesca’s outreach to Kate Middleton following the princess’s cancer diagnosis highlights the support and camaraderie that can emerge from shared experiences and genuine connections. The impact of Kate’s visit to HMP Send resonated deeply with Francesca, inspiring her to embark on a journey of advocacy and support for female inmates. Through her platform as an ex-prisoner turned advocate, Francesca aims to break the cycle of incarceration and offer hope and assistance to women navigating challenges in the criminal justice system. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of empathy, support, and the resilience to overcome obstacles and create positive change in the community.
