Of all the factors that influence whether someone released from prison will reoffend, employment stands out as one of the most significant. The data is compelling: stable, meaningful work dramatically reduces the likelihood of returning to crime.
The Employment Gap
Upon release, former prisoners face enormous barriers to employment. Criminal record checks, gaps in work history, limited qualifications, and employer prejudice combine to create seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Only 17% of people find employment within the first year after release.
This employment gap has profound consequences. Without legitimate income, many feel they have no choice but to return to criminal activity. The frustration of repeated rejection can undermine rehabilitation efforts and reinforce feelings of exclusion from mainstream society.
What Works in Employment Support
Effective employment programmes address multiple barriers simultaneously:
- Pre-release preparation: Beginning work on CVs, interview skills, and job searching before release
- Vocational training: Developing marketable skills that align with labour market demand
- Employer engagement: Building relationships with businesses willing to offer opportunities
- Ongoing support: Providing mentoring and assistance during the crucial early months of employment
Employer Perspectives
Encouraging businesses to hire people with convictions requires challenging assumptions. Research shows that employees with criminal records often demonstrate exceptional loyalty, lower turnover rates, and strong motivation to prove themselves.
Forward-thinking employers are discovering that Ban the Box policies – which delay criminal record inquiries until later in the hiring process – expand their talent pool without increasing risk.
The Economic Case
Beyond individual benefit, employment reduces the costs associated with reoffending. Each person who maintains employment rather than returning to prison saves the public purse tens of thousands of pounds annually. Multiply this across the thousands of people released each year, and the potential savings are enormous.
Our Advocacy
At Inside Out Justice, we're working to expand employment support programmes, encourage employer participation, and advocate for policy changes that remove unnecessary barriers to work. Everyone deserves the chance to earn an honest living and contribute to society.
