Sodexo Justice

Research published by the House of Commons Library (September 2023) highlights the proportion of prisoners aged 50 and over having gone from 10% of the prison population (2011) to 21% (2023).   Over 11% of the current population of HMP Forest Bank are over 50 years of age, prompting the recent introduction of a monthly over 50s activity morning, with inclusive activities including games, quizzes and bingo, along with the opportunity to discuss personal and health issues.   The group was suggested by prisoners who wanted to spend time with likeminded individuals away from the wing to enable social interaction.

Through our Starting Fresh programme, we are joining forces with Fair Chance Alliance as part of a working group, helping to provide employment opportunities for all. Are you ready to give someone a fair chance? Get in touch and see the calibre of talent across our prisons - people who are employment ready and looking for that fair chance of a positive future. Starting Fresh (sodexo.com)

With recovery top of the agenda, for the first time ever, HMP Addiewell took part in the 2024 Forth Valley Recovery Olympics. This special event is dedicated to attendees of Recovery and Support Centres, and offers a unique opportunity to engage in various sports and physical activities, celebrating the journey of recovery through a fun-filled sports day. Although the team have a little work to go to win the Olympics, it was fantastic to support a local community event and be part of the bigger picture of recovery within Scotland. Not only were we able to build partnerships and establish new connections, it was inspiring to meet a number of prison leavers who have continued on their recovery journey after prison. 

Supporting people in their recovery journey during their time at HMP Addiewell is at the heart of helping individuals to lead a positive future. Led by our Recovery and Addictions Manager, Kerryanne Clarke, the prison has introduced Prison Recovery Peers who play a key role in helping others with their recovery aspirations and onto the next stage of their journey. Although in the early stages, we want to make sure that everyone has access to a Prison Recovery Peer and receives the help and support they need.

Many industries are facing skills gaps and recruitment challenges. But have you ever considered employing a prison leaver? There's a vast source of work-ready people who would benefit from your support to continue their rehabilitative journey. From construction to catering, hairdressing to hospitality, prisons provide training that helps prison leavers change their course and have a happy, successful, law-abiding future. Visit https://lnkd.in/dTr5yWmX to find out more.

Pupils from Northfield Academy, Aberdeen, are set to benefit from a new community initiative driven by Sodexo’s Aberdeen-based Energy & Resources team and HMP Addiewell in West Lothian. Together we have donated 26 bikes, refurbished by prisoners, providing much-needed support to local students. You can read the full details about this positive initiative and the difference it will make here: https://lnkd.in/eAh27YRN A huge thank you to Tony Brady and Robert Taylor for making this possible.

Effective communications are crucial for prisoners to be successful on their rehabilitative journey, which is particularly challenging when English is not their primary language. The ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programme, delivered at HMP Forest Bank, is supporting prisoners to overcome this barrier and accelerate their access into vocational work. Developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills reduces prisoner isolation, improves employability skills and creates opportunities upon release. Find out more about Sodexo’s commitment to rehabilitation through education - https://lnkd.in/ed-rvFrm

In Sodexo Justice, we are so proud of Evelina and Katie in continuing to promote our Starting Fresh programme - encouraging employers to recruit people with criminal convictions. https://lnkd.in/dTr5yWmX

Newly refurbished hair and beauty facilities at HMP Peterborough enable female prisoners to gain professional skills, making them job ready on release. Women can complete the Level 2 VRQ in hairdressing so they are ready for employment or could even start their own mobile business on release. Women who are about to be released will soon be able to access the salon for a pre-release haircut, giving them a confidence boost as they step out into the community on their rehabilitative journey. Sodexo’s Starting Fresh programme helps to connect businesses needing to address skills gaps with prison leavers wanting to gain employment on release. Courses such as the L2 VRQ in hairdressing mean prison leavers are qualified and ready to start work in the hair and beauty sector. Find out more about Starting Fresh and how the programme could help your business: Starting Fresh (sodexo.com)

Today we mark the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. 80 years ago, the Normandy landings along with the associated airborne operations commenced on Tuesday, 6 June 1944, marking the start of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D-Day, it was the largest seaborne invasion in history. At HMP Northumberland we are marking the occasion with a service outside the war memorial within the grounds of the prison, hosted by the chaplaincy team, followed by the laying of wreaths by the Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland, SSAFA colleagues and HMP Northumberland veterans, both staff and prisoners. Thank you to all our veterans working within all of our prisons.