Vistry has become the first major UK housebuilder to join the award-winning Prisoners Building Homes (PBH) programme, launching a pilot at its timber-frame manufacturing facility in Warrington.
Three people are now gaining skills and job experience there, helping to address skills shortages while supporting rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.
PBH is an award-winning programme that works with housebuilders to provide meaningful employment opportunities for serving and former prisoners, helping them develop skills and secure long-term employment while contributing to the delivery of much-needed homes.
It aims to deliver 10,000 homes by 2030 while increasing employment opportunities for prison leavers and reducing reoffending rates.
Almost none have reoffended
As CM has reported, the biggest employer in the scheme so far is CIOB chartered company DragonHeart Homes of Peterborough.
In the last three years, it has employed 41 prisoners from HMP North Sea Camp, a Category D open men’s prison outside Boston in Lincolnshire.
They get training and NVQs in construction skills and experience the construction industry is crying out for.
Six months after their release, most DragonHeart graduates are in full employment and almost none have reoffended.
“Partnerships like this are vital in creating meaningful pathways into employment for people looking to rebuild their lives,” said Neil Lavis, PBH employment and skills manager.
“Employment is one of the most important factors in helping people successfully reintegrate into society following their sentence.”
Vistry factory manager James Davis said: “The programme gives individuals the opportunity to develop practical skills in a real working environment, while providing our team with access to motivated individuals keen to build a career in manufacturing and construction. The early signs have been extremely positive, and we’re excited to see how the partnership develops.”
