Since December last year I have been involved in supporting and mentoring two former prisoners who have set-up a social enterprise to stop re-offending and break the cycle of crime. This week was a proud moment as we had the launch in the Houses of Parliament that saw Secretary of State Chris Grayling come along to the launch to find out more.
I personally believe in tough sentences and more support for the victims of crime, and I also believe reforming first time offenders is the key to further reducing the crime rate not only for the cost element of reoffending but also the human element and cost to society. I am interested in how we can make our community safer and so I recently visited HMS Prison Leeds and Whealston Prison to get an insight. Following this I have got involved in mentoring two recently released prisoners along with local business AWM and the Department of Work and Pension. With more than a quarter of criminals proven to reoffend, former prisoners Grant and Mark decided to do something about it following their release from prison. They reach out to low and medium risk prisoners early in their sentences, providing them with mentoring and training, and work placements in real companies soon after they are released. This will help to ensure that former prisoners break the cycle of crime and start contributing to society in a positive way. Prison should not be an easy ride, but given many prisoners can’t read or write, something needs to be done to get them ready for honest work in real companies, that’s where Out4Sucess will make the difference.
Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew has also recently got involved and hosted the launch in the commons this week and invitiations were sent cross-party. It was a success and was supported by; Rt. Hon Chris Grayling MP-Secretary of State, Stuart Andrew MP, Lord Michael Bates- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Criminal Information at the Home Office, David Gauke MP-Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Selous MP-Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Prisons, Crispin Blunt MP, Andrew Jones MP, George Eustice MP- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for farming, food and marine environment, Andrew Bridgen MP, along with Prison Governor Andrew Dickinson, DWP, Prospects, local business AWM and Joe Barton Deputy Head-Teacher from Woodkirk whose children have been involved in designing the logo of Out4Success.
Recently, Andrea and Out4Success met Lord Michael Bates, the Minister for Criminal Information to discuss their work. Lord Bates commented, “It was great to come to Morley to see the hard work Andrea is doing to support crime prevention and prisoner rehabilitation,” Lord Bates said.
“It is vital for any such project to have a committed local champion.”
Out4Success who has offices in both Leeds and Wakefield has already found work for four people and I wish Grant and Mark who have worked incredibly hard every success for the future and I will continue to help support them in making this not-for-profit Social Enterprise a success as it will be of benefit to all of society.