“You have to give people a chance” - how Sodexo is improving the justice system
What is it that we want to get out of our justice system?
If you think it should have a focus on rehabilitating prisoners and giving people with criminal records a chance to reintegrate into society, then Sodexo’s Starting Fresh programme offers a pragmatic way of doing so.
Launched last year, the initiative encourages more businesses to consider hiring those individuals and provides them with the proactive means to do so.
Recruitment events at Sodexo’s prisons give employers the chance to meet people close to their release date, where employers can learn about the skills and qualifications that have been gained during time in prison.
And Sodexo’s Starting Fresh Employer Toolkit provides employers with the resources and guidance on how to support ex-offenders, helping to reduce recidivism and promote inclusive employment practices.
Sodexo’s HMP Addiewell is a a great example of the scheme working well.
It’s a modern prison housing and rehabilitating up to 700 men at any one time. Addiewell is known for its focus on providing education, training, and employment opportunities to prisoners, both during their sentence and post-release.
Lord Walney, a former adviser to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, visited Addiewell this summer where he saw the positive impact Starting Fresh is making:
“Through my work with the Purpose Coalition and my time in politics, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of simply giving people a chance.
“We need to find innovative ways to reduce reoffending and allow prison leavers to contribute to society when they get out.
“And this shows how targeted support and training can change not only individual lives, but also contribute to safer communities and a more inclusive economy.”
His visit provided a forum to discuss partnerships to further enhance rehabilitation efforts, and he also met with The Wise Group, a social enterprise working to lift people out of poverty, including through community justice. Their mentoring services provide wraparound support and guidance to people serving short-term sentences.
Lord Waley added: Sodexo’s Starting Fresh programme is a prime example of how targeted support and training can not only change individual lives but also contribute to safer communities and a more inclusive economy.
The new UK government has a mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. The work that Sodexo and The Wise Group do exemplifies how businesses can and must play a crucial role in this mission if it is to be realised.
