Top Bosses Join Forces to Get Ex-Cons into Work and Off the Streets
More than 90 leading business experts have signed up as prison employment advisors. Their mission? To help thousands of prison leavers find work and steer clear of crime.
Big Names Back Prison Work Drive
- Business leaders from renowned firms now advise all 92 ‘resettlement’ prisons.
- Household brands like Iceland, Greggs, and Oliver Bonas are on board.
- Employment rates for offenders six months after release have soared by two-thirds.
Executives from giants such as the Co-op, Greggs, Iceland, and Oliver Bonas chair Employment Advisory Boards in all resettlement prisons. These prisons prepare inmates nearing release for life outside.
The Boards connect prisons with business leaders who offer expert advice on skills and training prisoners need to succeed in the job market.
Using this insight, prisons tailor their training programmes to local job demand, making ex-offenders ready for employment the moment they leave prison.
Cutting Crime and Boosting the Economy
Launched in March 2022, the initiative tackles both crime and the hefty £18 billion yearly cost of reoffending.
Research shows ex-prisoners in steady jobs are nine percentage points less likely to reoffend. Since April 2021, employment six months after release has jumped from 14% to 23%.
Dominic Raab, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, said:
“Our innovative scheme is helping to get ex-offenders into work, keeping them on the straight and narrow while providing businesses with the staff they need to grow.”
“We are already seeing the rewards with more prison leavers in work six months after release – helping them turn their backs on crime, contribute to society and save the taxpayer money.”
Business Leaders Speak Out
Richard Walker, Exec Chairman of Iceland Foods:
“Rehabilitating offenders back into the workforce benefits UK businesses and gives individuals a lifeline. At Iceland, we’re already seeing real societal and business impacts.”
“Employment Advisory Boards give us an inside track to support ex-offenders with skills employers value now and in the future.”
Olly Tress, Oliver Bonas Founder & EAB Chair at HMP Belmarsh:
“Employment Advisory Boards prepare prisoners for jobs in IT, catering, hospitality and more.”
“It’s a win-win – filling skill gaps and giving individuals a stable future free from crime.”
Beckie Rowlands, Greggs Fresh Start Manager & EAB Chair at HMP Foston Hall:
“Greggs prides itself on inclusivity, offering training and work experience to people facing employment hurdles.”
“Our Fresh Start programme supports care leavers, long-term unemployed, ex-armed forces, and ex-prisoners with mentoring, workshops, interviews, and sustainable jobs.”
“Working with Employment Advisory Boards helps reduce reoffending and find great employees.”
Hands-On Support for Prison Leavers
Dedicated job experts at every resettlement prison in England and Wales guide prisoners through job applications and interview prep. They focus on booming industries like construction, haulage, and logistics.
One-stop hubs for career advice, CV writing, and job support now exist in 91 out of 92 prisons.
Dan Whyte, former prisoner and business founder:
“When I received a life sentence, I had no qualifications but was determined to focus on a career behind bars.”
“Having a job gave me the direction to stay crime-free after release. Now, I run a successful business helping prisoners access university training and education.”
The Employment Advisory Boards and Prison Employment Leads are key parts of the Prisons White Paper, launched in December 2021. The strategy centres on upskilling offenders to break the cycle of crime for good.
