1. 1 Claire Blue/Tim Sumption Social Justice Directorate Department for Work and Pensions 13 October 2011 The Work Programme: Early Access for Prison Leavers

2. 2 Department for Work and Pensions Ex-Offenders: Why do more? Helping ex-offenders into employment is in all our interests. Cost of re-offending is estimated at between £9.5 Billion and £13 Billion per year. Being in employment reduces the risk of re-offending by between a third and a half. (CO Social Inclusion Unit Report 2002) Offenders leaving prison have significant barriers to obtaining employment. Many prisoners have experienced a lifetime of social deprivation, and lack the skills to break the cycle of re-offending … background of care, literacy/numeracy etc. Experience of Agencies working with Offenders is that early intervention is key to preventing re-offending.

3. 3 Department for Work and Pensions Current entry points to the Work Programme for Offenders leaving Prison Required to enter the Work Programme at the mandatory points of 9 months and 12 months stage; Also Ex-offenders can volunteer to go on to the Work Programme after 3 months of claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.

4. 4 Department for Work and Pensions Current support whilst in Prison OFFENDER SERVING CUSTODIAL SENTENCE Conviction Release Close benefit claim Give benefit advice / help in retaining employment Book Freshstart appointment to attend on release Help with job search Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants Employer engagement 140 Jobcentre Plus advisers working in prisons Freshstart appointment / benefit claim / New Jobseeker’s Interview (NJI) Work Programme voluntary at 3 months mandated at 9 and 12 months “prisoner finance gap” often do not attend appointments / delays in receiving benefit payment. First 6 months after leaving prison important in terms of engagement – the most successful provision providing support starts as soon as possible “through the gates”

5. 5 Department for Work and Pensions Additional help planned for Ex-offenders Working with Ministry of Justice, NOMS and Scottish Prison Service From March 2012: Current Work Programme mandation points brought forward from current 9/12 months to ‘day one’. Allowing Work Programme providers to help prisoners ‘through the gates’. Prison leavers who do not claim JSA on release, but subsequently claim within a 3 month period will be mandated to the Work Programme. Offenders on community sentences will still be able to volunteer to go onto the Work Programme after 3 months of claiming benefits.

6. 6 Department for Work and Pensions In conclusion The transition from prison to community is a key transition point in the journey from crime to resettlement. DWP are fully committed to supporting the government’s commitments to the rehabilitation of prison leavers. Early access to the Work Programme will give this group the best chance of making a meaningful contribution to society. Questions? OFFENDER.EMPLOYMENTSUPPORT@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK