Articles & News

March 20, 2008

Bosses go to jail

By Laura Hannam

Employers visit promotes ex-prisoners as potential employees

More than 30 employers were shown the training provided to inmates during a visit to Woodhill prison last week.

The business leaders from across Milton Keynes visited the jail on March 11 to see how their own vacancies could be filled with skilled people coming back into the community.

The national charity Business in the Community (BITC) worked alongside the prison to engage employers on a new project aimed at improving the chances of ex-offenders finding employment and thus reducing reoffending rates. As part of the scheme businesses can get involved in training prisoners to give them the skills needed for their industry, with successful inmates being offered a job on release.

An example of such a project is the waste recycling workshop, featured in MK NEWS in October 2007, where prisoners gain work experience by sorting rubbish from across the establishment ready for recycling.

The project has been set up in partnership with Cory Environmental Waste Management, who collect and process the waste after it has been sorted.

After the business's visit, Alun Jones, head of resettlement at the prison said: "This has been a great opportunity to explore how employers could help our prisoners and their businesses.

"Some employers may not have jobs to give, but could offer interview or CV-writing practice for example. HMP Woodhill is proud of the training and qualifications it offers and we hope that more businesses will be able to benefit from the excellent work that goes on here."

The employers met prisoners, saw the jail's suite of computers, the classrooms in the education department, the recycling workshop, landscaping and horticulture - a project being carried out in association with Milton Keynes Parks Trust - and the cleaning and catering operations.

Mike Brophy, of Business in the Community said "Re-offending is a complex issue but it can benefit hugely from co-ordinated collaboration from employers to create a safer more productive society.

"The benefits are proven not only can it reduce re-offending but it also helps to fill skills gaps for business and offers a chance for offenders to reintegrate into society.

"I urge local employers to consider what opportunities and benefits exist for their business and then to engage with us on this important agenda."

■ For more information, please contact Mike Brophy on 01638 663272.

e-mail mike.brophy@bitc.org.uk or call Alun Jones at Woodhill on 01908 723063 e-mail alun.jones01@hmps.gsi.gov.uk