Under a new scheme announced today, retailers such as Greggs and Iceland will play a key role in helping offenders find employment.
The Employment Councils, which will consist of senior leaders from leading firms, will help to support those who are serving their sentences in the community back into employment.
The new scheme will build on the success of prison employment advisory board, which brought in local business leaders to prisons to help improve education and the ability of prisoners to find work after release. According to Lord James Timpson who is the minister responsible for probation, prisons, and reducing reoffending in Kent, this scheme has already made “huge” progress.
The new regional employment Councils will extend this model to include tens and thousands of offenders who are serving their sentences within the community. They will also involve probation officers and provide them with more support in building relationships with local employers.
The employment advisory boards at 93 prisons will continue, but the employment councils are designed to help prisoners find work in a wider area than just their last prison.
To improve the links between local job centers and each employment council, a representative of the Department for Work and Pensions will be present.
was launched following Labour’s victory in the July election and included as a measure in the election manifesto. It focuses on reducing reoffending. The data shows that 80% of crime is reoffending. Offenders who have been employed for six weeks after being released from prison, however, reoffend at a rate about half as high as those without employment.
Timpson stated: “Putting former offenders in stable employment is a sure-fire way to cut crime and make our streets safer.” It’s a win-win situation when businesses partner with the government to help former offenders find work.
He said that, in addition to the Probation Service’s increased assistance, the Department for Work and Pensions will also provide additional support by connecting offenders with job coaches at the Job Centres who can offer mock interviews, CV guidance and training tips.
Baroness Maeve Holmes, DWP Lords Minister, said that the initiative is a crucial component of the government’s Plan for Change. “As we begin to fix the fundamentals of our social security system, and move forward with wider efforts to reduce poverty, this initiative will be a key component.”
According to her, 90% of employers who hire ex-offenders agree that they are “motivated and trustworthy”.
Rosie Brown said that businesses would gain “committed and loyal team members who will help us build our company”. Families, communities and society win when re-offending is decreased.
Julia Pyke said that the employment councils were a “great initiative”. Sizewell C is a nuclear power plant under construction, and it offers opportunities to ex-offenders, veterans, and others. Sizewell C is expected to support around 70,000 UK jobs.
She continued: “We’re determined to create a workplace that represents all sections of society. This includes veterans, and under certain conditions ex-offenders.
“Ex-offenders are often gifted and have untapped potential. With the right guidance and support, they can make a successful transition from a life of crime into one of security and stability.
Pyke said that integrating ex-offenders into UK businesses with care and consideration can have significant benefits.
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