Ex-prisoners put to work in scheme to make them more employable

The Transition Initiative 2010, announced today, has created six positions within the Department of Works and Engineering for inmates after their release.

The former prisoners will be employed on 12-week contracts on full pay to carry out jobs for the department, including painting work and manual labour.

The aim is to get them used to the world of work and make them more attractive candidates to potential employers once they have completed the scheme.

A group of six former inmates are currently involved in the pilot programme. If it is deemed successful further prisoners will be invited to take part on their release.

Minister of Works and Engineering Derrick Burgess stressed Government was not giving full-time jobs to the former inmates. The idea, he said, was to give them exposure to the working environment, and the chance to get experience and references that would help them get work.

He said they would be able to apply for vacant positions within Government after their 12-week contract expired — but would go through the same interview and selection process as anybody else.

The Minister added that this was one of a series of initiatives in the pipeline to help cut alarming reoffending rates among the prison population.

One potential project — which could see serving inmates being put to work in the community — was also under consideration, he added.

Mr. Burgess said: “The Transition Initiative 2010 is designed to offer a great opportunity for a new and fresh start for those who desire to make the change.  

“It is a chance to get the best out of individuals who may have made a wrong decision in their past but are now making the most of their second chance.”

He added that it would be a stepping-stone back to mainstream society for the inmates, giving them an opportunity to develop skills and transition back into the workforce.

He said the Ministry had worked with the Department of Corrections to match jobs with the skill sets of inmates before selecting the six candidates for the pilot scheme.

Once they have completed the 12-week programme, the Ministry will evaluate the scheme’s success before deciding whether to continue with a new intake of released prisoners.