Fewer than 20% of people find work when they leave prison – one of Skanska’s highways projects is helping to buck this trend.
Around 70,000 people are released each year from prison, that’s 56,000 jobless people, who are all half as likely to reoffend if they have a job.
In this short video we listen to Shaun and Neil’s stories – from prison back into employment. They have been working on the M42 Junction 6 improvement scheme near Birmingham since their release from prison two years ago (Shaun) and nine months ago (Neil).
The project team have been working with the charity Beating Time’s Inside Job initiative which finds employment for people while they are serving their sentences.
Fozia Fazil, Highways Social Value Manager for Skanska says: “We hope to help break the cycle of reoffending by offering secure jobs that provide stability, a steady income and allow people to gain confidence and trust in themselves and others. As a business, if we can contribute to recruiting individuals from the local community and making a difference and give them hope for a better future, for me, that encompasses social value.”
Jack Rooke, Works Manager on the scheme says: “Since starting only a short while ago the guys have taken on further training and been promoted as a result of their positive attitudes. I really believe people should be given a second chance. It’s about what is ahead not what has happened in the past.
“This programme is brilliant and has been life changing for Shaun and Neil. It has also been great for the scheme. We really hope others will be inspired by our story and will look to do the same on their projects.”