Prison 'job centres' and business link-ups help boost ex-offender employment

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More former prisoners are finding work upon release following the roll out of employment hubs - similar to job centres - and new work initiatives with firms such as Greggs and the Co-op.

Prison"job centres" and links with big businesses are behind a rise in the number of ex-offenders finding work after time inside, according to the Ministry of Justice.

New figures for England and Wales show 640 prisoners found employment six weeks after being released in the year to March 2023, compared with 487 a year earlier.The number in work after six months was 715 - up from 573 the year before and 394 two years ago.since taking over the position from Dominic Raab"The offenders speak about the dignity that comes with this, the discipline of work, and that sense of hope," he told Sky News.

"They've done bad things, and they've got to pay for their crimes but the thought that they can move forward with their lives is so fundamental."through Employment Advisory Boards, which have now been set up in 92 resettlement prisons. The boards help identify job opportunities and match them with people in custody, even helping prisoners do interviews via video link.

It follows the roll out of one-stop employment hubs, similar to high street job centres, where prisoners can get career advice, CV help and find job adverts.The justice secretary this week opened a new workshop run by international logistics firm DHL at HMP High Down in Surrey, which will employ up to 90 inmates to sort goods to be shipped to other prisons.

 

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