As part of their plans to stop the “cycle of crime”, the Government will introduce regulations later this year to allow prisoners in open prisons (who are on day release or near to the end of their sentence) to access apprenticeships.
According to a Government survey undertaken last year, 9/10 businesses reported that ex-offenders they had hired were trustworthy and reliable. Prisoners can already study, train and work whilst serving their sentence, but latest Government proposals will allow them to apply from apprenticeship opportunities in “vital” sectors such as “hospitality and construction”.
The Government hopes that the apprenticeships scheme will allow prisoners to access top-quality training and increase the number of ex-offenders who leave prison with jobs.
