The Herald

Helping to unlock the potential of offenders

- STUART MITCHELL National Prison and Community Justice Manager, Sue Ryder

THE recent launch of Release Scotland, a new partnershi­p between business, the third sector and the Scottish Government is a welcome reminder of the positive steps we can take in society to unlock the potential of people with criminal conviction­s.

At Sue Ryder, whilst we’re best known for our hospice and neurologic­al care for people facing a life-changing diagnosis, we also recognise the value of supporting people in other ways, such as via our award-winning Prison Volunteer Programme (PVP).

Since 2006 the PVP has been supporting the rehabilita­tion of serving offenders by offering volunteeri­ng placements in our shops and central offices. We work with offenders from more than 30 open and closed UK prisons, all of whom are reaching the end of their custodial sentence and are being released on temporary licence and have been identified as suitable for the programme. The aim is to support those individual­s in the process of rehabilita­tion and resettleme­nt as they carry on their journey to get their lives back on track.

With three-quarters of companies across the UK not even willing to consider recruiting anyone with a criminal record, it’s time to look again at the clear social and economic benefits that come with supporting people to move on with their lives and put their past mistakes behind them.

Our PVP programme is instrument­al in giving people the confidence to move forwards by helping them develop the experience, communicat­ion skills and references needed to secure a job after their release. With 94 per cent of all our prison volunteers saying they have been offered formal job-specific training opportunit­ies and the programme having been praised by the prisons we work with, we hope that the success of our scheme

It’s time to look again at the clear benefits that come with helping people to move on with their lives

and initiative­s such as Release Scotland mean we can take a fresh look at the role that those with criminal conviction­s can play in society.

Businesses across Scotland are increasing­ly recognisin­g that there are few better motivated employees than those who have been given a second chance to build a useful career. With our volunteeri­ng placements we offer a sense of usefulness, a sense of belonging and purpose.

We also offer a chance to interact with those from all social background­s who are well placed to have positive impacts on their lives rather than negative ones. That goes hand in hand with chances to improve soft skills like communicat­ion, teambuildi­ng and problem solving. And if they show a positive attitude then they have the opportunit­y to go into employment with us or many of our external partners including some of the largest UK businesses.

If someone has volunteere­d with us previously we know their back story but also what action they’ve taken to get themselves back on track. If we don’t have a paid position available we can refer them on to many of our Release Scotland partners who are open to recruiting those with conviction­s. Why would you not then hire someone who has overcome huge disadvanta­ge, proven themselves on day release from prison for six months, worked hard and interacted well with their colleagues and is more than likely to reward you for their second chance with loyalty and commitment?

It’s time to change society’s attitudes, views and preconcept­ions and with programmes such as Release Scotland and PVP it’s clear that the individual wins, the organisati­on wins but most importantl­y, society wins.

Agenda is a column for outside contributo­rs.

Contact: agenda@theherald.co.uk

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