Employing Ex-offenders

Through its member companies, Business in the Community works to improve the ability of ex-offenders to find employment. A good, stable job is the single greatest factor in reducing re-offending. Not only does it provide individuals with the necessary resources and self-esteem to improve their lives but benefits all sections of society through reduced levels of crime.

Employing ex-offenders can be an effective way of controlling recruitment costs.  While one result of the current recession is a large pool of skilled labour in the UK, some employers are still struggling to recruit for particular roles.

Business Case

There is an established social case for reducing re-offending through employment. But there is also a business case for involvement with prisons and offenders or ex-offenders:

• Savings to the private sector through reduction in crime: The cost of crime against business is approximately £19 billion a year, and the cost of re-offending by ex-prisoners is £11 billion a year. Ex-offenders in work are between a third and a half less likely to re-offend. Some employment schemes have reduced the risk of re-offending to under 10%.
• Recruitment benefits: National Grid Transco found that their recruitment costs were reduced by 40% to 60% by training prisoners while in prison. Offenders are potentially a cost-effective recruitment route for employers.
• CPD benefits for employees: Involvement of a company’s staff with prisons and ex-offenders can be developmental for those staff and can bring benefits back to the workplace. Benefits of volunteering within a prison or with ex-offenders can be improved management, communication, listening and team building skills.

For more information on a consortium of businesses committed to spearheading corporate commitment to this agenda see below.