For nearly four years now we have endeavoured, through our Foundation, to identify and activate practical ways for offenders to build skills and gain a job upon release. Reoffending costs approximately £18.1bn every year in England, and evidence shows that upskilling prisoners to gain sustainable employment upon release, together with stable accommodation and support, is the most effective way to counter reoffending.
As part of our Future Skills Commission for Prisons, we have now funded eight different programmes which have all sought to offer individuals in Prison and ‘through the gate’ the opportunity to develop vital skills that are needed in society. From construction course simulator technology with HMP Hull and HMP Humber, to rail and track maintenance qualifications with HMP Hatfield, HMP Highpoint and Intertrain – all the way through to pre-apprenticeship programmes via Breakthrough. The breadth of programmes we have funded has been vast, but the common goal the same – to support rehabilitation.
