Deadline: Friday 22nd July 2022
The CSJ’s Criminal Justice Unit is launching a call for evidence to understand how employment outcomes for prison leavers can be improved.
In 2021, 47,014 individuals were released from custody in England and Wales. However, Ministry of Justice data revealed that a mere 16 per cent of prison leavers released between April 2021 and March 2022 were in employment six weeks after they left custody, while only 23 per cent had a job six months after they left the prison gate. For individuals who have served a custodial sentence, access to quality employment in the community is often a key determinant of successful resettlement. Not only is work a crucial means of alleviating poverty, but it also brings with it many other benefits, from improved health through to greater inclusion in wider society. Indeed, there is a significant body of evidence which suggests that those who find employment on release from custody are significantly less likely to reoffend.
It is in this context the CSJ is asking: what needs to change to ensure people leaving prison have the best chance of securing and retaining meaningful employment?
Who can take part in the call for evidence?
We want to hear from stakeholders (organisations or individuals) across the criminal justice sector, including prison education providers, prison and probation staff, academics and third sector organisations who provide employability, mentoring and through the gate services, as well as those who provide holistic support for prison leavers in the community. We would also like to hear from you if you have lived experience of the criminal justice system.*
The focus of this research is employment, yet many former prisoners face complex and compounding barriers which limit their access to the labour market, such as issues with addiction, housing and access to welfare. The questions in this call for evidence, and ultimately our policy recommendations, must account for this – please do speak to your areas of expertise.
*Please note – this list is not exhaustive.
Please submit your response to sophie.kenny@centreforsocialjustice.org.uk by Friday 22nd July 2022. Please contact Sophie by email if you have any questions.