Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prison Leavers: Support into Employment

Monday 17 May 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister expressed concern about lack of job access for prison leavers increasing reoffending rates
  • Government is funding 30 additional prison work coaches to assist prison leavers in employment and benefit access
  • Government acknowledged Northern College's role in helping ex-offenders and committed to sharing concerns with the college

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Miriam Cates
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

The question arises from the need to support individuals leaving prisons by assisting them in gaining employment and reducing reoffending rates.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support prison leavers into employment. In response, I am concerned about prison leavers not having access to jobs after release which increases the likelihood of reoffending.

Answer from Therese Coffey

We are committed to cross-Government working to help prison leavers into work and reduce reoffending. We are funding an additional 30 prison work coaches, bringing the total up to 200, to go into prisons after covid restrictions are lifted with a focus on gaining employment and accessing benefits promptly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for concrete steps was not directly addressed beyond funding additional prison work coaches.

How: Committed

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Q2 Miriam Cates
Justice & Courts Education Employment
Context

Northern College, which offers adult education to disadvantaged adults including former prisoners, faces funding threats. The college provides crucial support in helping students secure employment post-education.

Question

Northern College in my constituency is a resident education college that gives disadvantaged adults a second chance at adult education. Many students are former prisoners, but thanks to the college's outstanding tuition and pastoral support, they go on to achieve educational success and secure well-paid employment. Sadly, the funding for such colleges is under threat, so will my right hon. Friend work with colleagues in the Department for Education to secure the future of Northern College and ensure that former prisoners continue to have access to this amazing opportunity to turn their lives around?

Answer from Therese Coffey

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important issue. I will absolutely share her concerns on the specific college to which she refers, Northern College. The Government are committed to helping ex-offenders re-establish themselves back into the community and into work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about working with the Department for Education and securing funding was not directly addressed beyond acknowledging the concern.

How: Committed

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