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.
See the ‘Life Beyond Bars’ short film
Read our Prison Impact Report
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.”
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 presented their virtual reality headset programme alongside Keltbray. The programme is being delivered in Prisons and the community.
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 discussed how their construction and carbon literacy training is being used in HMP Forest Bank to support the economy towards a greener future.
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.”
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.
Other prison news from the City & Guilds Foundation
Improving ex-offenders’ prospects through Groundwork’s ‘Green Start’ programme
Groundwork is a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK. Dedicated to supporting communities and creating a green future, they aim to improve people’s prospects and promote opportunities for everyone,...
Celebrating skills development, in Prison, to support rehabilitation, on release
For nearly four years now we have endeavoured, through our Foundation, to identify and activate practical ways for offenders to build skills and gain a job upon release. Reoffending costs approximately £18.1bn every year in England, and evidence shows that upskilling...
Delivering Green Skills Training with Greenworkx and Catch22
The City & Guilds Foundation is pleased to announce two new partnerships with Greenworkx and Catch22 to deliver green skills training. The partnerships will provide training and support to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds develop the skills they need to...
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...
City & Guilds Foundation funds Breakthrough to support prison leavers into apprenticeships in innovative new partnership
The City & Guilds Foundation and Breakthrough, the UK’s first apprenticeship provider to recruit directly from prisons, have entered a new partnership to support prison leavers into employment. Founded in March 2020, Breakthrough was the first charity to focus on...
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...
How we’re supporting St Giles to change lives by investing in vital training
St Giles is a London-based charity that helps people create a better future for themselves, and they’ve been an active part of our Foundation network for over five years. The charity works with people to overcome poverty, exploitation, abuse, addiction, mental health...
Helping our partners in the offender / reoffending space to embrace neurodiversity
Last week was my second week of secondment with the Foundation Team and I was fortunate to be able to attend a two-day Neurodiversity Train the Trainer event. It was delivered by Helen Arnold Richardson from DO-It Solutions, and was specifically for our Foundation...
No Going Back: City & Guilds Foundation supports The Livery Company initiative
There are few occasions since setting up City & Guilds some 144 years ago when the Livery Companies have worked together towards a single objective. And that’s why we’re delighted that through the City & Guilds Foundation we’re able to support the new and...
![[Podcast] Inclusion & Diversity Series: Marginalised Groups – Prison Leavers](https://cityandguildsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Inclusion-and-Diversity-event-prison-leavers-400x250.jpg)
[Podcast] Inclusion & Diversity Series: Marginalised Groups – Prison Leavers
As part of the City & Guilds Foundation Inclusion and diversity events series, offering thought-provoking conversations and actionable steps to promote equal opportunities and improve inclusion and diversity in your organisation. In this episode we explored...
Want to keep in touch?
Keep up to date with Foundation events and sign up for our quarterly newsletter by filling in the form below:
