10 June 2008
An innovative scheme which will give prisoners the chance to change their ways by learning technology skills has been launched by Prisons Minister David Hanson MP and Skills Minister David Lammy MP. The initiative is also supported by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The vocational training scheme at HMP Wandsworth is aimed at securing jobs for prisoners on release by giving them skills in high demand by employers.
The project has been set up in partnership with computing and technology experts Cisco and Panduit and supported by construction company Bovis. Cisco and Bovis are part of the Corporate Alliance, set up to promote employer engagement activities involving over 100 organisations.
The Cisco/Panduit Academy demonstrates how prisoners are being given the opportunity to learn vocational skills supplied by both the private and public sectors working together.
The Academy trains prisoners in voice and data cabling installation, providing them with skills in an area where demand for skilled employees outstrips supply by at least 20 per cent. On release, offenders are offered the opportunity to secure employment and further training.
Prisons Minister David Hanson, MP said:
'Reforming offenders so they can positively contribute to society as well as being punished for their crimes by denying them their freedom is what prison is about and what both communities and businesses demand.
'Initiatives like the Academy at HMP Wandsworth are an inspiring example of how we can use the expertise and knowledge of both the private and public sectors to improve employment opportunities for prisoners on release so they don't return to a life of offending. That means fewer victims and less crime.
'I congratulate the private companies that have been working with us to give prisoners the opportunity to live a crime-free life.'
Skills Minister David Lammy said:
'The PICTA project is a demonstration of the power of partnerships coming together to benefit employers, transform offenders' lives and make society safer by reducing reoffending. I particularly applaud the plan to use Train to Gain to continue to build skills once offenders have left prison, helping deliver long-term benefits for employers and communities.
'I wish all the partners involved in PICTA - in the private and public sector - every success. I would encourage all employers to see the business benefits in linking with prisons to get offenders into training and into work.'
Significant improvements to the training of prisoners have been made over the last decade. As the needs of employers change, prison training and work has changed in order to help meet them. Prisoners are helped to acquire those employable skills that give them a realistic chance of finding a job on release in order to reduce the chance of them reoffending.
The importance of employment in reducing reoffending is well-recognised, and the National Offender Management Service is actively engaging with employers to create skills training and employment opportunities for offenders both in prison and on release. Initiatives such as the Academy demonstrate the effectiveness of how the Prison Service is working with employers to ensure that the accredited training provided matches the needs of the marketplace and of employers.
Every year almost 12 million hours are worked in prison industries valued at around £30 million to businesses that depend on it. And last year almost 40,000 prisoners went into training and employment at the end of their sentence.
In January 2008 the Justice Secretary announced a Prison Policy Update which introduced a range of measures aimed at tackling reoffending, including the launch of a new drive to involve more employers from the corporate, public and voluntary sectors in training offenders and offering them employment. Earlier this month David Hanson and David Lammy hosted a Forum on Prison Industries & Workshops which brought together these organisations, many of whom already provide employment for offenders in custody and the community.
Stephen Timms, Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform, said:
'It is essential that before and after their release ex-offenders have access to jobs and advice so that they can move back into work and away from a life of crime.
'We already have a wide range of programs and initiatives which have helped thousands of young offenders to enter work and training. We want to build upon this and do more to help ex-offenders to enter work, reduce the risk of re-offending and enable them to make a valuable contribution to society.'