Prominent business leaders from companies such as Greggs, Iceland, and COOK will play a central role in a major new initiative to help thousands of offenders in the UK secure stable employment, with the aim to reduce reoffending rates.
The initiative introduces regional Employment Councils, which will build on the success of prison Employment Advisory Boards established by Minister for Probation, Prisons and Reducing Reoffending, Lord Timpson. These boards, which currently operate in 93 prisons, were created with the aim of providing education and job prospects for prisoners, preparing them for employment after release.
The new councils will extend this support to offenders under the supervision of the Probation Service, working to reintegrate them into society through meaningful employment opportunities.
A Collaborative Effort to Reduce Reoffending
Each regional council will include representatives from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to strengthen links with local job centres. This collaborative model aims to address reoffending rates, which account for around 80 percent of all crime. Ministry of Justice data shows that offenders who remain unemployed six weeks after leaving prison are more than twice as likely to reoffend (35.3% vs 16.8%) than those in work.
Minister for Probation, Prisons and Reducing Reoffending, James Timpson, spoke of the importance of employment in reducing crime. He said, “Getting former offenders into stable work is a sure way of cutting crime and making our streets safer. That’s why partnering with businesses to get more former offenders into work is a win-win.”
Business Leaders and the Role of Employers
Research by the Ministry of Justice indicates strong support among employers for hiring ex-offenders. Over 90 percent of businesses that employ former offenders reported that they are motivated, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rosie Brown, co-CEO of COOK, said, “A job provides a key way to help people restore their lives and relationships following a stretch in prison. In return, we get committed, loyal team members to help us build our business. Re-offending is reduced, and families, communities, and society as a whole wins.”
The new Employment Councils will support probation staff already working to connect offenders with employment opportunities. They will provide insights into the local labour market and foster relationships with employers willing to hire ex-offenders. The DWP will link offenders with job coaches at local job centres, to assist them with CV writing, mock interviews, and guidance on securing additional training.
DWP Lords Minister, Baroness Maeve Sherlock, said, “As well as making our streets safer, helping offenders into work will enable employers to fill vacancies and plug our skills gaps.”
