There is a famous saying. “Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to not make the same mistake twice”.

However, some aren’t fortunate enough to have a platform on which to build a new life following a mistake of great magnitude. Take ex-offenders as an example. There are numerous factors at play as to why prison leavers re-offend.

Childhood trauma, schooling issues, family issues (prior to offending), drug use, mental health issues, PTSD, accommodation, and employment. All of these, from a very young age, can result in individuals commiting crimes and re-offending.

We should also remember an ex-offender’s prison experience and the impact this has on re-offending. Historically, little effort would be made with troublesome prisoners while inside to help them improve their chances of leading fulfilling lives upon release.

Thanks to various initiatives, this is changing.

New statistics show rapid progress has been made to boost employment for prison leavers, with the number of ex-offenders who have been successfully steered into jobs within six months of release more than doubling, from 14% to 30% since April 2021.

In April 2023, data showed that the proportion of prison leavers finding work within six weeks of release had increased from 15% to 19% compared to a year prior, with a further 30% in work after 6 months, up from 23%.

Bringing new skills to work

The UK is in the midst of a labour shortage crisis, particularly among younger generations. According to a recent UK Labour Market Overview, the UK is lagging behind pre-pandemic employment rates for 16–64-year-olds.

Ex-offenders are an untapped potential workforce that are ready to take hold of ‘their chance’ with both hands. It’s up to businesses to place trust in these often highly skilled workers, and to help break down the stigma attached to hiring ex-offenders.

Too often prison leavers are released with nowhere to go, and in many cases become homeless due to a lack of stable income and support. That must change. They need security and stability in order to rehabilitate. Enabling the reintegration of ex-offenders into the labour market holds immense advantages for UK businesses, while also serving as a crucial lifeline for those individuals who are in search of employment opportunities. It is important to invest in and help highlight those individuals who need a jump-start to their careers.

A helping hand

Niall is a former offender working as a cleaner in SBFM’s head office. He was given a career progression opportunity through SBFM’s project Evolve and its work with HMP Wealstun.

Niall said: “After taking the leap and coming out as gay in 2014, I faced a lot of abuse in my first relationship. When I eventually broke up with my partner, I was the one to leave the home we’d built together.

“From there, I messed up completely. I abused drugs, stopped showing up to my warehouse job, fell out with friends, and fell in with an older crowd. This led me to committing a crime.

“I knew I’d face prison time. But I couldn’t bring myself to face my fate after serving time less than a decade before. I missed my court date and committed further offences on bail.

“This added an extra 9 months to my sentence, but now I see it as a blessing in disguise. During the final weeks of my sentence, I found SBFM.

“Getting a job before you leave prison is unheard of, so I thought the programme was too good to be true. After I met with the team, I felt like I could be open about my past and my current struggles. I could see SBFM’s enthusiasm for my progression. It really felt like someone cared about me.

“Only a week after leaving prison, I started my first role as a cleaner for PureGym, an SBFM Evolve Partner. For the first time with an employer, I didn’t have to lie, hide, or pretend to be someone I’m not. All I’ve ever wanted is to be myself.

“I started to feel self-conscious in the fitness environment. I had gained nine stone in prison and felt anxious there. When I told my SBFM manager, Staci, she offered me a transfer within a day. I then began a cleaning role in SBFM’s main office. It was a pinch-yourself moment. Not only did this company offer me a job, they cared about my happiness too.

“I’m not going to lie, I still have struggles, but this support makes a world of difference. Though I’m happy cleaning right now, I really want to grow with Evolve. I hope to progress to the helpdesk, or maybe become a cleaning area manager. Evolve has given me opportunities former offenders often struggle to access. I want to do right by SBFM and make them proud.”

A new horizon

Working with local communities, it is possible to create a shared experience between employers seeking to fill labour gaps and reformed individuals seeking either to apply their previous trade experience or be upskilled into new positions.

By displaying trust, confidence, and faith, we have seen first-hand how it can change lives. It is time to extend a helping hand and offer the security and stability that prison leavers so often need. Securing a job after prison can be life changing.

Businesses have a lot to gain if they can only open up their doors to ex-offenders. And positive societal and economic change can be realised.

Kelly Dolphin is people and culture director at SBFM.