The Duchess of Cambridge is seen out again doing royal duties and this time she secretly went to a women's detention center. ITV reported that last Friday, Kate Middleton visited a specialist unit at Send Prison in Surrey.
Princess Catherine came to visit and learn about a unique program that tackles substance abuse among women prisoners. The prison center is run by a charity called RAPt (Rehabilitation for Addicted Persons trust).
US Magazine reported that according to the statement released by the Kensington Palace, Kate was able to talk and hear stories of some of the inmates about their addiction journey and how it landed them to a prison. It has been said that the main focus of her visit was to know how huge the impact of addiction is on families.
As reported by ITV, one of the inmates that she was able to talk to was Isha, 33. Isha told the Duchess, "it's intense, but you get a lot out of it."
"I come from a background of alcohol and drug abuse. From the age of 15 it was various different drugs that I was experimenting with. I had to fund my habit by committing crimes which sent me to prison. If there had been support like this on the outside, it would be so much better and easier for people."
In a report made by PEOPLE, Kate was able to reflect upon her visit in the detention center. And being with the inmates and hearing their stories made her realized a lot about substance abuse. "I was reminded today how addictions lie at the heart of so many social issues and how substance misuse can play such destructive role in vulnerable people's lives," Kate said in her statement.
"I saw again today that a failure to intervene early in life to tackle mental health problems and other challenges can have profound consequences for people throughout their lives."
According to PEOPLE, one of the inmates that Kate met gave some presents for her kids. Isha, who is one of the 450 women to have completed the program since 2000 gave the Princess two small aprons for Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Aside from that she also gave honey from the prison bees.
Kate told Isha upon receiving the gifts, "George is going to need it for his painting and his coloring."
Daily Mail also reported that Prince William's wife also thanked those inmates whom she got to talk to and concluded, "I am grateful to the women I met for sharing their difficult personal stories with me. It is encouraging to learn how organizations like RAPt are offering specialist support to help people break the cycle of addiction and look forward to a positive and crime-free life."
