Pioneering project is elsewhere – why not run it in our county?
AS strange as it may seem, some people who come out of prison often break the law again because they want to go straight back behind bars.
That is because those who do, have little or no job prospects and nowhere else to go.
With no permanent roof over their heads and no legitimate means of earning money, prison is their most secure option and, ironically, where they feel most at home.
That is why a pioneering new project, led by the South West Reducing Reoffending Partnership and supported by all five regional Police and Crime Commissioners, is a welcome development for a number of reasons.
Under the leadership of professional tradespeople, prisoners have been learning a range of modern construction skills while gaining valuable work experience.
Employers are offering these ‘practical skills’ in the guise of building environmentally-friendly homes or ‘pods’ whether in a workshop within the prison or at a ‘factory’ on the employer’s site.
These pods become permanent units, which are available for sale or rent.
But their added value is that they are helping offenders to prepare for their release by teaching them practical skills leading to formal qualifications in construction, health and safety in the workplace and risk assessment.
Qualifications that offer the prospect of employment on the outside, and with it a better future, are so crucial to cutting reoffending.
But I believe the scheme could go further. These ‘eco-pod’ homes offer more than much needed, quality and affordable accommodation for those that need it.
Built using low carbon methods, they are also easy to relocate and offer high energy efficiency to reduce energy bills for the occupants.
They have the potential not only to provide homes for those leaving prison, but for anyone requiring affordable and accessible accommodation.
Homelessness is rising and seems to be getting worse. Yet the ‘Homes Built By Prisoners’ programme is a win, win, win for everyone.
It reduces reoffending, gives skillsets to prisoners and reduces crime.
They are highly affordable and could be used to house vulnerable people, homeless people, migrants and key workers, some who local councils already have a requirement to house. And they are a lot cheaper than a hotel.
I accept that finding the land will be a problem, but I have been banging on about this for ages.
It’s happening in other parts of the South West, so why not here in Gloucestershire?
Homelessness is rising and seems to be getting worse. Yet the ‘Homes Built By Prisoners’ programme is a win, win, win for everyone. It reduces reoffending, gives skill-sets to prisoners and reduces crime.