Prison Impact

The power of skills innovation in prisons

We believe that skills development in prisons not only helps address major societal and economic challenges but is our responsibility to deliver as a Royal Charter body powered by charitable purpose.

Explore the Royal event at HMP Pentonville

See the ‘Life Beyond Bars’ short film

Read our new Prison Impact Report

Make a pledge or get in touch now

How skills development supports rehabilitation

Reoffending costs approximately £18.1bn every year in England, and evidence shows that upskilling prisoners to gain sustainable employment upon release, together with stable accommodation and support, is the most effective way to counter reoffending.

To help prisoners reach their potential and to capatalise on the potential of skills, City & Guilds’ work in prisons
spans everything from quality training and recognition services, to collaborating with employers seeking to
access new talent, to funding innovative deploying new technology that help prisoners secure skills for future
employment.

“We know that the golden thread for those leaving prison and not returning is made up of acquiring skills relevant to a job, being supported through the gate and into accommodation and an employer offering real opportunities.”

HRH The Princess Royal

President, The City and Guilds of London Institute

Celebrating innovative training in Prison, and through the gate

We held an event on 11 May at HMP Pentonville with our president HRH The Princess Royal, showcasing the transformative role of innovative, quality training in prison. At the event, some of our partners who were previously funded through our Future Skills Commission for Prisons showcased the innovative training they have been delivering.

Bounce Back

Bounce Back

Bounce Back presented their virtual reality headset programme alongside Keltbray. The programme is being delivered in Prisons and the community.

Simulator from HMP Hull & Humber

HMP Hull and HMP Humber

HMP Hull and HMP Humber showcased their simulator technology which is boosting the confidence of their learners with construction skills.

Groundwork

Groundwork

Groundwork discussed how their construction and carbon literacy training is being used in HMP Forest Bank to support the economy towards a greener future.

Intertrain team

HMP Highpoint

HMP Highpoint, alongside Intertrain, showed off their rail track programme, which is allowing learners to complete flexible rail courses.

“It is a privilege to have hosted the event at Pentonville. In recent times we have worked hard to boost those skills which help prisoners find employment on release, and it is fitting that City & Guilds and HMPPS can show this partnership together. This has come at a time when we’re looking to expand the work that we do together, taking advantage of progress in technology. This investment in to skills development will allow us to offer more to the men in our care, and be less constrained by the prison environment. Our ambition is to get more prisoners into employment on release, and I look forward to seeing what we’re able to do together in the future.”

Ian Blakeman

Governor, HMP Pentonville

New short film: ‘Life Beyond Bars’

In this film, we hear from prison leavers who have been involved in programmes including The Clink Events, rail training at HMP Highpoint with Intertrain, and Breakthrough tech pre-apprenticeship.

Prison Impact Report

This new report profiles some of the programmes we fund in prisons and spotlights some innovations in training such as virtual reality that can help equip prison leavers for the world of work and lead to qualifications.

Be an advocate

Make a pledge and receive a digital credential

Digital Credential: Fair chances for people

We want to help everyone raise awareness of equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are giving you the opportunity to make a pledge to create fair chances for people despite their backgrounds, claim a digital credential and share with your networks.

Fill in the form below with your pledge and we will send you a digital credential. You can find out more about this digital credential on the Credly website: credly.com/org/city-guilds-foundation/badge/fair-chances-for-people

Want to get in touch?

Let us know if you are working in this area or have a project you think we’d be interested in hearing about.

Other prison news from the City & Guilds Foundation

Commitment of big business proves vital to tackle reoffending

Commitment of big business proves vital to tackle reoffending

We were delighted to see the latest MOJ release that some of the UK’s biggest and most progressive companies have deepened their commitment to get people in prison into work on release, and that this has played a pivotal role in the rising numbers of prison leavers in...

Reflecting on our achievements in 2022

Reflecting on our achievements in 2022

As the end of 2022 fast approaches, the team at the City & Guilds Foundation took some time to reflect and share their top highlights and achievements from the last year and moments to be proud of. Laura Mountain “Thinking about what we’ve collectively achieved...

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