Prisoners could fill jobs vacant after Brexit, says Gauke

PRISONERS will be let out on early release to fill jobs left vacant after Brexit, the Justice Secretary has said.

David Gauke said Brexit presents an “opportunity” for offenders who want to gain experience in the workforce before they are released.

The minister was speaking at HMP Isis in south-east London at the launch of a government strategy on the education and employment of prisoners to cut re-offending, which costs taxpayers £15billion per year.

He said such early release helps offenders “build relationships and their CV before they have been released” and was a “powerful incentive”.

Prisoners could fill a shortfall of migrant workers after Brexit, he said.