5th February 2012
Prison visits hailed a success
16th Oct 2007
Employers from across Bedfordshire were shown the training and skills development that takes place behind bars when they visited HMP Bedford recently. The business leaders were there to see how their own vacancies could be filled with skilled people coming back into the community as part of a programme of visits backed by HRH The Prince of Wales.
Locally based charities, Business in the Community (BITC) and The Apex Trust are working alongside employers on a new project aimed at improving the chances of ex-offenders finding employment and therefore reducing re-offending rates. NACRO and the Learning and Skills Council are partners in the project, called Equal Engage, which is funded by the EU European Social Fund.
Leader of the visit, John Morley of Grundfos Pumps in Leighton Buzzard said: “This has been a great opportunity to explore how employers could help both inmates and their businesses. Some employers may not have jobs to give, but could offer interview practice or CV writing skills for example. We will be taking one of the people from here onto our own company training programme this year and would encourage others to follow our example”.
The visit was designed to show employers the training and education courses offered to those in prison to help them improve their own lifestyles. It gave employers a chance to challenge their own misconceptions, meet the prisoners and see the training they are undertaking. The employers saw the suite of computers in the LearnDirect Centre, the classrooms in the educational suite, workshops as well as the cleaning and catering operations.
Chris Williams, Area Manger for BITC, said “Re-offending is a complex issue but it can benefit hugely from co-ordinated collaboration from business 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.”
John Bunyan, famous son of Bedford and author of Pilgrim’s Progress once found himself inside Bedford Prison. Let us hope that this project gives those who have followed him the chance to make progress in their own lives.
For further info contact: Chris Williams, BITC Area Manager; phone 077349 90561; e-mail chris.williams@bitc.org.uk; web www.equalengage.com
