Ryan FowlerBosses from well-known companies including Greggs, Iceland, and COOK will sit on newly launched regional Employment Councils aimed at helping offenders serving their sentences in the community to secure jobs. The initiative expands on the successful prison Employment Advisory Boards introduced by Lord Timpson, which have already helped improve job prospects for prisoners on release.
The new Employment Councils will operate in collaboration with the Probation Service and local employers, providing practical support to offenders and probation staff. Each council will include a representative from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to strengthen ties with local job centres. The initiative forms part of the Government’s Plan for Change, designed to reduce reoffending and improve public safety.
Minister for probation, prisons and reducing reoffending, James Timpson, said: “Getting former offenders into stable work is a sure way of cutting crime and making our streets safer. That’s why partnering with businesses to get more former offenders into work is a win-win. The Employment Advisory Boards I spear-headed have made huge progress and now these Employment Councils will expand that success to steer even more offenders away from crime as part of our Plan for Change.”
According to the Ministry of Justice, offenders who find employment within six weeks of leaving prison are around 50% less likely to reoffend compared to those who remain unemployed. Beyond reducing crime, the scheme offers economic benefits by helping employers fill vacancies, address skills shortages, and boost productivity.
DWP support will play a key role in preparing offenders for employment, with work coaches providing guidance on CV writing, interview techniques, and training opportunities.
DWP Lords Minister, Baroness Maeve Sherlock, added: “As well as making our streets safer, helping offenders into work will enable employers to fill vacancies and plug our skills gaps. This work is vital in our Plan for Change as we begin our task of fixing the fundamentals of the social security system and progress with wider work to reduce poverty, put more money in people’s pockets and keep our streets safe.”
Rosie Brown, co-CEO of COOK, said: “A job provides a key way to help people restore their lives and relationships following a stretch in prison. In return, we get committed, loyal team members to help us build our business. Re-offending is reduced, and families, communities, and society as a whole wins.”
The councils will provide additional support beyond what is offered by the 93 existing Employment Advisory Boards in prisons, allowing former prisoners to search for work across wider regions rather than being limited to their immediate local area.
The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to breaking the cycle of reoffending, improving public safety, and supporting economic growth. Research shows that 90% of employers who hire ex-offenders report positive outcomes, with former offenders described as motivated, reliable, and trustworthy.
