Prison recruitment event sees ex-offenders gaining employment with local businesses (16 May 2016)

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said that local businesses attended an event at HMP Ford on Thursday (12/05/16), to help them discover how employing ex-offenders can help meet their need for specialist skills in the employment market.

The Prisons Minister Andrew Selous has been encouraging employers across the country to join the Employers’ Forum for Reducing Reoffending (EFFRR) – a business-to-business network, which provides advice and support to businesses who may be considering employing offenders.

Businesses looking to recruit in sectors such as engineering and plumbing, as well as warehousing, construction and catering, attended the event at HMP Ford.

The MoJ says the session at the prison will encourage businesses to see offenders as potential assets, who genuinely want to move forward with their lives, put criminal activity behind them and contribute to society.

The prison has established links with many local employers and several businesses are already working with HMP Ford and offenders on temporary licence.

Karl Kerry – general manager at local ship repairer business, Burgess Marine – said:

“The experience of working with HM Prison Ford has been a really positive experience for my business – and it’s something I’d recommend to other employers.

“I know that any offender who comes to work with me on temporary licence as they come to the end of their sentence has been thoroughly risk-assessed and vetted – and there will be ongoing support in place from the prison.

“Chris is one of the offenders who has joined us on a temporary work placement from prison – and I’ve been hugely impressed by his commitment and professional expertise.

“During his sentence, Chris learned various skills, including steelwork manufacturing, welding and engineering. He has since obtained his forklift and telescopic handler ticket and is PASMA (scaffold tower erection) trained.

“Chris is now putting all these skills into practice in a working environment, where he’s part of the shiplift docking crew, dry docking ships up to 1,000 tonnes.

“Chris has also trained in health and safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), correct use of tools, first aid – and is part of the rescue team for confined space works.”

Prisons Minister Andrew Selous added:

“Great businesses don’t necessarily follow well-trodden paths for recruitment – and I am pleased to see so many open-minded businesses here at HM Prison Ford.

“I hope that they will see dedicated, motivated and skilled potential employees in the offenders they meet today.

“We need a new focus which gives prisoners a chance to turn their lives around for good through sustained job opportunities when they leave prison.

“Ultimately, schemes like this are about protecting the public – by giving prisoners the skills and work opportunities they need to find work, we can help reduce reoffending, cut crime and make our streets safer.”

Governor at HM Prison Ford, Stephen Fradley, said:

“I am pleased to welcome so many businesses to HM Prison Ford and look forward to showcasing the excellent work taking place here.

“One of the most important ways we can reduce reoffending and prevent victims is to make sure ex-offenders have the right skills and employment opportunities available to them on release, so that they can contribute to society and the economy.

“We’re keen to continue the momentum from this event and foster links with businesses, who can help us provide meaningful work-based activity and education to offenders in custody and on release.”

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