Landsec has launched a training academy, backed by the Ministry of Justice, for prisoners in the final months of their sentence at Her Majesty’s Prison & Young Offender Institution Isis in Greenwich.
The programme is the UK’s first-ever aerial window cleaning course and it is aimed at prisoners in their final six to 12 months at HMP & YOI Isis. The academy aims to address UK skills shortages while helping to reduce re-offending, which costs the UK roughly £15bn annually, according to the MoJ.
The programme was also created by Landsec in partnership with London-based charity Bounce Back and cleaning services company, NJC (Not Just Cleaning). Bounce Back trains prisoners to get them back into paid work.
NJC (Not Just Cleaning) and Total Access are the lead funding partners for academy. The prison itself and children’s charity DM Thomas Foundation have also provided financial support.
Less recidivism
The MoJ said ex-offenders in employment are up to nine percentage points less likely to commit further crimes. At present, however, only 17% of offenders are employed one year after release.
Miles Webber, corporate affairs and sustainability director at Landsec, said: “Breaking down barriers that prevent people from finding employment is a core part of our sustainability programme. We’re proud to be joining forces with our partners to continue to create opportunities that help get more people back into work, building a stronger future for them, our customers and our communities.”
Rory Stewart, prisons minister at the MoJ, said: “We know that offenders who secure employment upon release are much more likely to turn their backs on crime, making our society and communities safer.
The power of work
“That is why earlier this year we launched our employment and education strategy to harness the power of work to change lives and cut re-offending.
“This academy at HMP Isis is an excellent example of delivering on that pledge – it will train prisoners in key work skills needed by local businesses and give offenders the chance they need to begin a new chapter.”
Landsec, Bounce Back and NJC also plan to open a new construction academy in HMP Leeds in the next financial year.
In October 2016, Landsec launched the UK’s first scaffolding course inside a prison, partnering with Bounce Back.
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