One of the big problems that this country faces is re-offence once offenders are released from prison. The government spend billions on tackling crime each year, in-particular knife crime as it has become a growing problem. Although this is something we need to target, once prisoners are released, on average 60% go on to re-offend which costs the country a further £1 billion each year.
But how do you solve this kind of problem? One solution that some organisations have found is be rehabilitating offenders when they are in prison through HMP Academies that have been created to give offenders the vital life skills they require when they go back into the real world.
What is a HMP Academy?
A HMP Academy teaches prisoners vocational and life skills so when they step outside of the prison walls they are prepared for work and other forms of life. These academies have been created within some HM Prisons and consist of skill-based workshops and qualifications in areas such as construction, recycling and fabrication, so that prisoners have the education to gain employment.
How does rehabilitation work?
There is no one straight path that the offenders follow as each one is unique and requires different needs. The rehabilitation programme is tailored to each individual to get the most out of them. That being said, there is a basic outline for how the programme is followed…
Firstly, offenders are convinced to join the programme with financial incentives. This means that work is usually offered in the prison, or temporary licences are acquired so that they can work elsewhere. From here, the prisoners are paid and 40% of their wage goes to victim support funds.
Next, whilst working offenders are offered in-house training and the education they may need to find employment once they have been released. If a prisoner has spent a lot of time in prison, especially from a younger age, they may not have a strong educational background, therefore this is a time where they have the chance to improve their education. However, offenders get the privilege of choosing subjects that they are interested so that they are more eager to learn.
What happens next?
Although this in-house training may look impressive, it is just as essential that the offenders are given support once they are released too. 60% of prisoners stated the importance of accommodation once they have been released, which is something these academies help with too.
Education is important but so are all of the other life skills the offenders require such as learning how to get a tenancy, finding work and generally re-adapting to the real world. This is why each programme is tailored to the individual. One person may find certain aspects of returning to normal life more difficult than others so it is necessary that specific support is there when they need it.
As you can imagine programmes like this aren’t cheap, but they are essential. Fortunately for us there are companies that take some financial strain off the organisations and aid with funding HMP Academies. When you take out an insurance policy with Car.co.uk, it allows their company to grow and therefore offer more financial and physical support to the organisations that do all of this good work.
With the likes of Car.co.uk helping build local communities, hopefully it will inspire other companies to use their power and funds to help those in need too.
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