Co-ordinated by prison officer Tracey Corrigan, the pilot scheme has been made possible with the support of the Workwise Scheme, Careers Department at Highlands and other agencies.As part of the prison rehabilitation system, officers assist inmates to improve their skills to find a job on their release or when eligible in prison to be on the temporary release scheme.This service has been further expanded with the creation of the Job Club, which has been enthusiastically welcomed by inmates of all ages.
An office has been set aside at the prison and decorated and furnished with their help and ideas.Miss Corrigan said: ‘The response has been brilliant and some of the women inmates have volunteered to do any photocopying and filing which may be needed to run the office,’ she said.Giving the project a priority, ten prison officers, including one who speaks Portuguese, have become involved.Those staff have taken part in training at Highlands in the use of the skills check computer programme and are able to assist inmates to discover what employment would suit their particular skills and the qualifications required to start a new line of work.There will be assistance in finding out what educational courses and other training opportunities are available in the prison or by correspondence courses for those wishing to use their time in prison to improve their future work prospects.Also available will be training in telephone skills, helpful tips about attending an interview and assistance in completing CVs, application forms and covering letters.With the help of prison psychologist Ruth Emsley, prisoners can learn the importance of positive body language when speaking to potential employers.Miss Corrigan said: ‘Most people who commit crimes can’t get jobs.
We are aiming to assist inmates to regain their self-respect and help them to find gainful employment they enjoy and be likely to continue after their release.’It was hoped that employers would realise that although inmates had made mistakes in their lives, they were being rehabilitated, were taking steps to improve their work prospects and deserved to be given a chance.She said that when writing for jobs, inmates were encouraged to be frank that they were in La Moye Prison as it was preferable, if they were to be turned down, that it happened in the first instance rather than at an interview, when their disappointment would be increased further.’It’s far better to be honest about the circumstances.
There are some employers out there willing to give them an opportunity to join their team,’ she said.Tomorrow representatives from agencies supporting the scheme, including probation, are being invited to an open day at the Prison’s Job Club office.
