No ex-inmate from Aylesbury HMP in employment after six weeks for 2019/2020
Charity The Howard League say this is not a shocking figure and more needs to be done to reform the prison system.
Last updated 25th Sep 2020
Aylesbury HMP in Buckinghamshire is a Young Offenders Institution.
Figures show that after release from Aylesbury HMP no ex-inmate was in employment after six weeks.
These numbers come from the Department for Justice and cover April 2019 - March 2020.
The Howard League is the oldest penal reform organisation in the world, and they say although sad these numbers are not shocking.
Rob Preece is from the group:
"Unfortunately it isn't surprising to those of us that look at the system closely, that isn't to say it is acceptable.
"It is in everyone's best interest to do something about this.
"When somebody is involved in crime it is in everyone's interest to do all that they can to guide them away from crime and stop that happening in the future.
"What these figures show is that in Aylesbury prison, and many others in the country, people are being swept of the street brought into the prison system and aren't being prepared for life on the outside.
"Then they come to release and find it very very difficult to find work and accommodation at the end."
One recommendation is that inmates are given purposeful activities during their time in prison so that they can be prepared for the world of work.
However, The Howard League say evidence shows in prisons across the country and in Aylesbury HMP inmates are not being given skills and tools to get jobs.
Although training is a huge part of gaining employment, Rob says there is still a stigma around ex-inmates:
"Some employers have spoken very positively about the experience they have had employing people with experience of the criminal justice system.
"Timpsons for example have a long record of this and have spoken about how positively this has worked for them.
"It is the case thought that people leaving the prison system too often encounter challenges and stigma, which reduces their chances of finding work.
"That needs to change, it is in everyone's best interest to change that and help people put crime behind them. The best way to do that is through accommodation and through work.
"If more employers could change their practices and policies so that people released from prison have the chance to make amends and put crime behind them that would benefit everyone."