The UK government is actively exploring innovative strategies to tackle reoffending rates whilst simultaneously addressing labour shortages across various sectors in England and Wales. One promising approach involves expanding opportunities for prisoners to participate in day release programmes and experience working in industries like ours.
Despite common concerns regarding the employment of ex-offenders, studies show that nine out of ten employers who have hired prisoners commend their motivation, reliability and trustworthiness. And this has been just the case at our Hazarous Waste Transfer Station in Ewelme, Oxfordshire.
Huntercombe Prison
Grundon and Huntercombe Prison have joined forces to provide a work release programme that offers prisoners a chance at a fresh start. At our Technical Transfer Station, we offer employment opportunities with the goal of helping individuals reintegrate into society and reducing repeat offences.
In 2012, Huntercombe Prison approached us with the idea of having someone on release on temporary licence (ROTL). Our successful implementation of the ROTL programme has led to a long-lasting partnership with the prison and the employee, who remains an integral part of our Grundon team to this day.
Recently, Huntercombe’s ROTL scheme restarted, and we were eager to participate. As a category C prison, housing foreign nationals, those serving time have remaining sentences of 3 to 36 months. Although inmates may face deportation, many have grown up in England and seek to remain due to conflicts in their homeland.
ROTL programmes provide offenders with a chance to acquire employment skills and gain valuable work experience, which can help them secure employment upon release. This, in turn, helps reduce the likelihood of reoffending and plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of crime.
Grundon recently participated in a job fair at Huntercombe Prison, and the event was tremendously successful. Many individuals showed interest in working for Grundon, leading to the recruitment of two more employees.
“All of the guys we have had here have been fantastic. They are polite, courteous and very hard working. They all say how grateful they are to be given the chance to go out and work as it gives them a purpose and a sense of worth. They all have great personalities and get along with everyone they encounter. This along with their work ethic has made them valuable members of our team.”
Andy Bale
Transfer Station Manager
Grundon’s partnerships with Huntercombe Prison highlights the success of work release programmes in prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration. By providing training and employment opportunities, these initiatives offer offenders a fresh start and a chance to secure work upon their release.
Looking ahead, Grundon is committed to supporting work release programmes and building new partnerships. We actively share our job vacancies with employment leads at various prisons within our operating area. For more information, please contact our HR Department on hr@grundon.com.