Cheshire blazing a trail on getting ex-offenders into work

Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price has brought together around 100 people, representing around 50 businesses as well as public sector organisations to co-create a new employment programme for ex-offenders – breaking the cycle of re-offending.

He is working closely with Cheshire-based Lord James Timpson from the pioneering retailer which employs ex-offenders, and is now a government minister.

Sir Phil Redmond, creator of such socially impactful TV shows as Brookside and Hollyoaks was a speaker at the launch event alongside Lord Timpson. Attendees at the event included Tatton Group, Chester Zoo and the Co-op.  

Price told TheBusinessDesk.com he wants to make sure people on probation make a positive change in their lives, rather than have to be rescued from prison.

“In Cheshire, while there is a well-established careers service within prisons, there is a limited careers provision within probation, which 50% of Cheshire’s ex-offenders go through. Both nationally and locally, business leaders report workforce retention and skills challenges; put simply, they need employees who are loyal, who want to stay and those who build a career.”

Around 3,000 people are managed by probation in Cheshire and about a third are looking for employment or training. 

He said figures show on average 50% of those leaving prison reoffend within three years.  A long-term study reported that 75% of offenders re-offend within nine years of release.

“Breaking this cycle is essential to the safety of our county. And we know that one of the significant dynamic reasons that prevents reoffending is employment with career prospects. Thriving communities are safe communities and our probation programme aims to help Cheshire thrive by providing safety and prosperity to those who live in them,” Price said.

Speaking to TheBusinessDesk.com, Price explained the rationale behind the program: “We’ve got some good examples in this county, with regards to Timpson’s, where organisations have been really ahead of the time on this. But we need something that’s much more comprehensive, much more county-wide.”

Price’s ambition is to have 100 ex-offenders in employment by the end of the year, with plans to scale up the initiative if the initial phase proves successful. “Our ambition is to have 100 people at the end of this year in employment by launching this scheme in autumn,” Price said.

Price believes the programme aligns with a broader shift towards a more prevention-focused approach in public services, moving away from a traditional enforcement and response model.

“If we do deliver on this, we will be preventing crime. We’ll be preventing future victims of crime.”

With the support of local businesses and a clear focus on providing opportunities for ex-offenders, he said Cheshire’s pioneering scheme could serve as a blueprint for other regions looking to tackle the complex issue of reoffending.