Ex-offenders’ 40p an hour work experience ‘massive boost’ to job prospects
9 August 2012
Controversy has erupted around claims that prisoners paid £3 a day to work in a Wales call centre, have replaced higher paid existing staff. The minimum wage does not apply to prisoners.
Thu, 9 Aug 2012
Controversy has erupted around claims that prisoners paid £3 a day to work in a Wales call centre, have replaced higher paid existing staff. The minimum wage does not apply to prisoners.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has confirmed that dozens of prisoner from Prescoed prison in Monmouthshire had done work experience in the call centre of roofing and environmental fitting company Becoming Green for at least eight weeks. In comments made to the Guardian, the company denied that prisoners had replaced existing staff.Claire Howe, recruitment manager at Working Chance, a charity that places women prisoners and ex-offenders into both paid and unpaid work, tells Recruiter that while taking on prisoners shouldn’t be at the expense of existing workers, gaining work experience while in prison greatly improves prisoners’ chances of employment when they are released.
“Work experience is going to boost their confidence levels. It helps them bridge the gap between prison and the world of work outside. It is going to massively put them into a better employment situation.”
"The benefits to the employer are that they get an untapped talent pool," she adds.
Controversy has erupted around claims that prisoners paid £3 a day to work in a Wales call centre, have replaced higher paid existing staff. The minimum wage does not apply to prisoners.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has confirmed that dozens of prisoner from Prescoed prison in Monmouthshire had done work experience in the call centre of roofing and environmental fitting company Becoming Green for at least eight weeks. In comments made to the Guardian, the company denied that prisoners had replaced existing staff.Claire Howe, recruitment manager at Working Chance, a charity that places women prisoners and ex-offenders into both paid and unpaid work, tells Recruiter that while taking on prisoners shouldn’t be at the expense of existing workers, gaining work experience while in prison greatly improves prisoners’ chances of employment when they are released.
“Work experience is going to boost their confidence levels. It helps them bridge the gap between prison and the world of work outside. It is going to massively put them into a better employment situation.”
"The benefits to the employer are that they get an untapped talent pool," she adds.
