A consultation has been launched by Cleveland’s newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey, to gain a public insight on helping people with criminal records into employment.
Matt has launched two public surveys today on the topic of employment after offending. One survey is for residents and one is for local businesses.
The surveys are part of Rewire – a new project to encourage people and businesses to think differently about life after offending.
The project will include the development of a new resource. It will provide practical advice and guidance to businesses on employment opportunities for people leaving prison and those with criminal records.
It recognises that prison and community-based offender management provide an opportunity to rehabilitate and break cycles of offending behaviour whilst keeping communities safe in the process.
Produced by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, in collaboration with the Cleveland Local Criminal Justice Board, the aim of Rewire is to reduce re-offending and boost employment.
The latest figures
The latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show:
- 32.1% of adults with a criminal record in Cleveland will re-offend within 12 months – one of the highest rates in England and Wales.
- 61% of prison leavers go on to re-offend within two years. However, this drops to 19% if they are in employment.
- 3 out of 4 people would be comfortable buying from a business that employs people with convictions.
- 81% of people think that businesses employing people with convictions are making a positive contribution to society.
- 86% of employers of people with convictions rate them as good at their job.
Speaking on the launch of the survey, Matt said: “We absolutely need to recognise that helping people with criminal records into employment is crucial if we want to see a reduction in re-offending.
“If we can get people with previous convictions into stable employment and away from a life of offending, the potential to protect future victims of crime is significant.
“I am keen to hear thoughts from the public and businesses who support or have an interest in supporting people with convictions to gain sustainable employment.”
To take the public survey, go to: REWIRE-Public Survey (smartsurvey.co.uk)
To take the business survey, go to: REWIRE-Business Survey (smartsurvey.co.uk)
The survey closes on Friday 5 July.