Training for Offenders Scheme

Supporting all groups in the community is important.

Contractors should look to support all members in the community, both enhancing and building on what is already there as well as providing opportunities for those in need.

The below example demonstrates how one site achieved this:

• At the moment in many locations, prisoners are released with what they had when they went in with; training may well have been given but with few funds those without anywhere to live or a job will possibly re-offend very quickly;
• Selected offenders are now given full training and manufacture a steel framed housing system, in sections, within the prison;
• They are paid an industry wage which is given to them upon their release, gain a qualification to continue their work in the community which hopefully will reduce re-offending rates;
• Once the buildings are ready for installation the offenders are taken to site and erect the bungalows thus offering them more experience and income for the future;
• It is difficult to see any negatives to this innovative method of house building in that the offenders win by having a good chance of getting back into society, the general communities benefit by more housing becoming available and even the Government benefit by less prison space needed.