Matthew Offord – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Justice

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Matthew Offord on 2016-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to improve prisons’ engagement with employers; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Selous

Supporting offenders into meaningful employment is a vital aspect of the Government’s approach to rehabilitation. We already work with a wide range of employers in prison through One3One Solutions and engagement by Prison Governors. We are keen to grow the number of employers who can provide valuable vocational work for offenders while in prison and who are able to offer them support in preparation for release and employment opportunities following their release and I regularly meet businesses across the country including at 2 successful roadshows at HMP Sudbury and HMP/YOI Drake Hall. I am pleased new businesses are now coming on board as a consequence. The Employers Forum for Reducing Reoffending brings together employers willing to employ offenders and we are working with the Department for Work and Pensions to increase the involvement of more businesses.