Prison and Prison System Design

Reducing employer’s risk

Susidising employment for the first months of employment could help prisoners gain stable employment on release.

Research has shown that nothing succeeds in preventing recidivism more effectively than employment. ¹⁰ Research has also shown that more than two thirds of all prisoners are unemployed when they go to prison¹⁸ which suggests that either they are claiming benefits, making a living illegally or both.

Reducing employer risk

There is opportunity for prisoners who have poor records of employment to forge links with employers who may be able to take willing prisoners once they leave prison for a trial period of time, during which, part of their wages and NI contribution are paid for by the government. Such a system is unlikely to be suitable for violent offenders, sexual offenders or particularly dishonest prisoners out of respect for the companies willing to take part.

This would effectively reduce employer’s risk and gives prisoners a chance to gain employment after prison, providing them with a reference and an income. If both parties are able to continue the relationship after the trial period then it is even better. While inside prison prisoners study and understand more about the field of business to show intent and provide preparation for the role.

This system would also allow employers to be approached from an prisoner’s perspective rather than on a basis of available and willing employers.

From a justification of cost perspective the prisoner who is now employed will be unable to claim benefits and will therefore not require housing or job-seekers allowance. This could easily save over £3000 in benefits paid, and could subsidise one third of a £18,000 a year job for six months. If such a scheme worked in reducing re-offending rates it is very likely to justify the expense of subsidised salaries.

There has been successful placement of prisoners in companies where in some cases the employer has taken the prisoner on after the placement period, although this is a great example of corporate social responsibility; to roll such a scheme out on a national level there needs to be more incentive for employers to take part in such a scheme.

Employer education

A prison sentence can mean a lifetime of discrimination by employers. Telling employers at application stage can mean that prisoners find it very difficult to actually get to interview and telling them later can result in dismissal no matter how good they are at the job.

Prisoners find the discrimination against them, regardless of crime, can follow them for decades even if they strongly desire to gain stable employment. This suggests that our employers and people in general an increased awareness of the employment of convicted persons, the actual risks they pose, and a reality check for their policies regarding previously convicted employees.

If employers looked at the crime they committed, the length of time ago it occurred and made a rational decision regarding this it would go some lengths further than a blanket ‘no’ to all ex-prisoners.