Mo Callis
19 years old. Born in Derby, lives in Hackney. Just released 2 months ago after serving a year for street robbery and ABH

Mo has just been released from a young offenders institute. His father has a new family and a new life and his mother lives abroad with her current husband. His probation have helped him to find a one bedroom flat in Homerton, and he is about to start a college course so that he can set up his own painting and decorating business. He served one year for a crime that he did not commit. It was in fact committed by his 'friend' Darren. Mo took the blame because of the guilt he felt about being in love with Naomi, who is in fact Darren's girlfriend. Being in prison has given him the chance to think about the life he has been living and the choices he has been making. During his time in prison he had no visitors and received no letters. He is beginning to realise that the only person he can rely on is himself.

Monologue

Yeah, my names Mo. I’m 19. I’m from Hackney. Homerton. I don’t really know what to say man. I just done a year for street robbery. I got back on road two months ago . I spent a whole year locked up for something I didn’t do. I kept my mouth shut…I didn’t say nothing. Nothing. I took the blame. Cos that's what you do...you keep it real.

And all the time I was inside…no one came to see me. I wrote letters…I sent out VO’s, but no one replied. Not even my dad. And now I’m back on road and everyone’s going on like nothings happened. Like everything’s cool. Like nothings changed. I’ve changed. When you spend that much time locked away...isolated...lying in a cold, dark, dirty cell. Surrounded by iron gates, barbed wire and walls. The only thing that gets you through each day that blocks out the sound of the keys...the gates banging shut...the shouting on the landings night after night...is... All you have are your thoughts. You think about everything. And you realise. No matter where you are...you're on your own.