This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Deal for ex-offenders
10/12/2001
A new Glasgow project aimed at reducing offending and
tackling homelessness was launched today by Deputy Justice
Minister Richard Simpson.
The Glasgow New Deal Innovation Project is aimed at
unemployed and homeless ex-offenders aged between 18 and 24
- a group who would normally find it difficult to take
advantage of schemes to return to work because of problems
finding accommodation after release.
The three-year project aims to target 120 prisoners and
will be available in HM Barlinnie, HM Low Moss and Polmont
Young Offenders Institution. The programme is supported by
the Apex Trust in partnership with the Glasgow Council for
Single Homeless, the Employment Service, the Prince's Trust
and the Wise Group.
At Barlinnie Prison, Dr Simpson said:
"This programme will provide support and guidance for
individuals who are doubly disadvantaged when it comes to
gaining employment because they are both homeless and have
a criminal conviction. It will hopefully break the cycle of
those seeking employment but not able to find a job without
a home and those not able to find a home without having a
job.
"A lot of good work is being done in the Scottish Prison
Service, tackling healthcare, providing education and
delivering programmes which tackle offending behaviour, all
with the aim of successfully reintegrating the ex-prisoner
back into the community. But this cannot be achieved
without the support of the partners helping tackle the
barriers to social inclusion such as linking with community
addiction services, further training and literacy services
and housing and employment.
"This is why this project is important and I look
forward to the results of an early evaluation in 18 months
time."
The programme is carried out by prison staff who
identify and help individuals who would be eligible for New
Deal after release but have no accommodation. An assessment
is made and an action plan created which includes an
Employability Assessment, training in basic skills and a
work placement. A key worker also co-ordinates the work of
the participating agencies to help the individual secure a
house and job.
The charity Apex Scotland received funding from the
Employment Service under the New Deal programme for a
three-year project which started last July. The scheme aims
to encourage and test ideas to help people move from
welfare to the workplace and to increase the number of
disadvantaged and unemployed people who obtain employment.
Additional funding was also provided by the UK Government
for Innovation in developing New Deal initiatives.