PRISONERS could be employed to help demolish redundant cell blocks at HMP La Moye.
A tender has gone out to potential firms interested in completing the works, and as part of the selection process, prison officers are asking that the successful contractor consider employing inmates, on a risk-assessment basis, to help with the demolition.
The idea forms part of the ongoing work at the prison to reduce reoffending. Last year, the Prison and Probation Services hosted a ‘reducing reoffending’ workshop which was attended by government ministers, charities, faith groups and prison staff.
The event was designed to encourage employers to come forward and work with the services to provide job opportunities and ensure effective reintegration into the community for recently released prisoners.
The redundant cell blocks have been vacant since they were decommissioned in 2010 and the new prison wings were built in 2009.
They are being demolished as part of recommendations raised in a 2017 inspection of the prison and form part of the plans to ensure a modern and fit-for-purpose facility.
Gemma Lofthouse, head of reducing reoffending at La Moye, said: ‘The prison currently provides industry-level courses in horticulture, painting and decorating, food safety, and hygiene, with prisoners achieving professional qualifications on completion.
‘We want employers to tap into this talent pool to resolve skills shortages, as well as helping prison leavers to succeed and start a career.
‘We are actively seeking opportunities to work closely with more employers in the Island to develop training in key employment sectors that can be delivered to prisoners, followed by employment opportunities upon release.’
The demolition works will not directly impact the day-to-day running or existing capacity of the prison, but will provide more open space for prisoners once the buildings are removed.
Commenting on the need for prisoners to find work once they are released, Ms Lofthouse added: ‘Actively hiring prison leavers not only reduces reoffending but is a factor in helping businesses to become more socially responsible. Prison leavers have a wide range of skills to suit almost any sector, making them ideal job-ready candidates.
‘Most prisoners want the opportunity to live a life away from crime. Having a job helps them stay out of prison, get their lives back on track and reduces the risk of them reoffending.’
Mike Cutland, chief probation officer, said that the last statistics on prisoner reoffending rates were released in 2009 and revealed that 50% of prisoners reoffended within 12 months of their release.
He said that it was widely known that those who served community service orders were less likely to reoffend than those who had spent time in prison.
