the Co-op, Iceland and B&Q be a part of 2 week-long prisoner employment push
a whole bunch of offenders get coaching from corporations to assist plug expertise hole
figures present jail leavers in work are motivated and fewer more likely to reoffend
‘Unlocking Retail and Logistics’ occasions had been held in over 30 prisons throughout England and Wales with the intention of serving to British companies fill a few of the estimated 1 million vacancies within the UK by using certified jail leavers.
Occasions had been run by companies together with grocery store giants The Cooperative and Iceland plus well-known retailers and logistic firms resembling Oliver Bonas, Greggs, and DHL.
The marketing campaign is a part of a wider drive from the federal government to get extra jail leavers into work as proof exhibits it grows the economic system and cuts crime.
Ex-offenders in full time employment are as much as 9 share factors much less more likely to reoffend when launched and greater than 90% of surveyed companies who make use of jail leavers report they’re motivated, have good attendance and are reliable.
Not solely does this develop the economic system however by maintaining jail leavers on the straight and slender it additionally helps sort out the £18 billion annual price of reoffending and lower crime.
Prisons Minister Damian Hinds stated:
There’s a golden alternative proper now for firms working to fill vacancies by taking over jail leavers. Not solely does it assist develop the economic system however it’s confirmed to chop crime. Over 90% of companies using jail leavers report they’re motivated and reliable – making them prime candidates to plug a few of the present expertise gaps within the UK.
One of many companies concerned within the marketing campaign was O’Neill & Brennan, a recruitment and logistics options enterprise to the development business. They’ve helped round 180 jail leavers into employment with their scheme within the final 2 years and at present make use of over 60 prisoners launched on momentary licence to work on-location every day.
Barry Mitchell, Logistics Operations Director at O’Neill & Brennan, stated:
There’s a lack of talent and expertise within the business at present and we’re discovering that there’s a big hole within the retail and logistics sector, notably in entry degree roles. By working straight with prisons, we’re participating with new and thrilling expertise early, in order that once they attain us we’re using expert and job prepared individuals who have already been skilled in custody. The perspective and arduous work jail leavers put into their job, and their want to vary their previous and show themselves, implies that they’re devoted and motivated staff.
Considered one of O’Neill & Brennan’s success tales is John, who has been employed by the recruitment and logistics options enterprise following his launch and has labored his means as much as a supervisor, taking the function of Logistics Supervisor when wanted.
John stated:
Having employment secured forward of my launch actually grew my self-confidence and gave me hope that I might be given a second likelihood to show myself. I’m a real-life instance of how one can flip your life round if given the fitting alternatives, and it feels rewarding to encourage others to discover an analogous route.
That is the fourth of 5 campaigns being run by the Jail Service’s New Futures Community, following on from actions targeted on serving to ex-offenders safe employment within the hospitality and development sectors. Collectively these campaigns type “Unlocking Potential”, a wider marketing campaign run by New Futures Community to create a tradition of employment in prisons following the publication of the 2021 Prisons Technique White Paper.
Current statistics present that the proportion of jail leavers discovering work inside 6 months of launch greater than doubled between April 2021 and March 2023, from 14% to over 30%.
This stark rise is supported by a variety of initiatives being delivered in prisons to make sure people are job-ready earlier than their launch. For instance, the Ministry of Justice has launched devoted Employment Advisory Boards in 92 prisons, which hyperlink prisons to main companies to allow them to obtain recommendation on their employment methods.
Notes to editors