New job sessions aim to reduce risk of reoffending and benefit claims by former inmates

An employment partnership has carried out a trial project to support inmates into work on their release from a Lancashire prison to help reduce reoffending.

Employment service Calico Enterprise has delivered three employment sessions at Wymott Prison in Leyland for 30 male inmates, all of whom have a release date within the next 12 months.

The sessions, run in collaboration with Calico’s recovery service Delphi, aim to help reduce reoffending by supporting inmates into stable employment when re-entering society. Currently just 25% of men leave prison into work, which can lead to an increased risk of a re-offense, issues of mental health that impact on health services and increased Universal Credit claims.

Through the sessions, inmates received tailored coaching to identify transferable skills and experience they have to apply for different roles, alongside support to improve their CVs and interview skills. Inmates have also received coaching around life-skills such as budgeting and maintaining a tenancy.

Maxine Rumsey, Employability and Skills Administrator for Calico Enterprise, said, “We want inmates to start considering their options for employment so that they are in the best place to apply for work when they are released. Finding a job and a sustainable tenancy as soon as possible after prison reduces the possibility of a re-offense or issues of mental health, so we want to offer that support where needed.”

A spokesperson from Wymott Prison said, “The sessions included skills & strengths, employability skills, money skills and daily living skills. The two staff were fantastic and adapted the sessions originally written to fit our prison. On the days of delivery they catered for all men in the sessions and the feedback received has all been very positive with an appetite for more sessions in the future.”

Calico Enterprise will also be offering Lancashire-based participants with ongoing one-to-one employment support after they leave prison through MPT Steps, a county-wide partnership programme that aims to boost employability of people in Lancashire and reduce the number of local people reliant on Universal Credit.

MPT Steps is made possible with funding from the European Social Fund. Find out more about MPT Steps.