European Social Fund in England

Crossroads Somerset

Name of Project: Crossroads Somerset

Provider: Avon and Somerset Probation Service

Measure: 1.2

Being sent to prison or receiving a criminal conviction can mean your whole world is turned upside down. There are more than 77,000 people currently in custody and around 215,000 adults on Probation Orders or Licences, many of whom are struggling to find work.

The links between offending behaviour and unemployment are well established with over half of all those on Community Orders having been assessed as having Education, Training or Employment (ETE) issues. In addition three quarters of those leaving prison have no training or job to go to. Importantly, having stable employment can reduce the risk of re-offending by between a third and a half.

The impact of Offending and Re-Offending behaviour are significant and widespread including causing harm and distress to victims and their community and having a big impact on individuals and their families.

The aim of the Crossroads Project run by Avon and Somerset Probation Service is to offer offenders and ex-offenders the support, skills and confidence they need to gain employment or vocational training / learning assisting their rehabilitation and helping reduce the risk of re-offending.

Given the social impact of re-offending and the fact that it costs the Criminal Justice System (tax payer) 11 Billion pounds a year to manage re-offending alone, it makes the work that Crossroads is trying to do all the more vital.

John left prison 3 years ago, having been in and out of jail several times because of drug related offences. He was released on a Drug Treatment and Testing Order, which helped him to start to change his life and quit his drug habit. John then spent two and a half years looking for work. He did not use drugs or commit crime during this time but was unsuccessful in finding work as employers did not want to employ an ex-offender.

"When I moved out of supported housing I applied for loads of jobs" he told us, "But after getting knocked back again and again I started to get quite depressed about it. When my application for a job working in the sewers was rejected, I thought I would never get a job. Even though I'd paid my debt to society it felt like society didn't want me back."

Fortunately for John Jobcentre staff were able to refer him to Crossroads to offer specialist support.

"I signed up with Crossroads thinking what's the worst that can happen?" Although the 28 year old had attended courses and had several qualifications, he had not organised all of these into a CV nor did he understand how to talk to employers about his criminal record. Crossroads helped him do that, and although some of his applications were still rejected, he received 5 interview offers from 7 applications, and now has a job with a community care company.

Jen Martin, an employer liaison officer for Crossroads in Somerset, was able to act as an intermediary with the Employer helping ensure that his application was treated fairly and establishing a process for the disclosure of his Criminal Record. This role of advising both the applicant and the Employer about a correct process and their rights and responsibilities under the 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act was key to enabling John move into employment. John's employers know about his past, and they appreciated his honesty on the subject.

Jen Martin continued

"It is important that employers enable applicants to be honest about any previous convictions. By writing-off those with a criminal record from the job application process you are potentially limiting your recruitment options. For example, almost one third of males under 30 have a criminal record: over 7 million people nationally. If employers can be more open on the subject, applicants are more likely to be honest rather than trying to cover up the facts".

Crossroads staff support all their clients to be able to disclose their Criminal Record where required and all clients are assessed to make sure that the work or training placement is suitable and safe taking into account their Previous Convictions. In addition the support is aimed at helping clients feel more confident and motivated as many have faced years of being turned down for every job they have applied for regardless of ability, experience or qualifications.

As for John, he told us that after nearly 4 months on his new job he continues to be on the straight and narrow.

"I've been working hard, putting in over-time and am now more careful about the sort of people I associate with. Crossroads has been really helpful and having stable employment has enabled me to get away from drugs for good".

John also spoke at an Employer's Seminar held in Bristol on 27th September 2005, which attracted 20 local Employers. John was able to discuss the background to his offending behaviour and his route to rehabilitation and employment. He described the impact of discrimination in the recruitment process on his self esteem and how it potentially hindered his ability to become fully re-integrated into society.

An Employer stated

"Today's seminar was very valuable. John's talk was a real eye-opener for me. He put a human face on the terms 'criminal' or 'ex-offender' and I will be reviewing our HR processes to ensure they are fair and safe".

Jen Martin concludes by saying

"John is continuing to progress at work, he is on various training courses and developing relationships with colleagues. All this helps him feel more settled and makes him all the more employable. He is very excited at the moment as he has a bank account and is saving for a holiday. It is not just the fact that someone gets a job that is so important it is all the other things that having a job brings. John now feels that he is part of 'normal' society and all this together is key to ensuring that a person will not re-offend.

For more information, please contact

Diane McAdam

Crossroads Project Manager, European Social Fund

E-mail: diane.mcadam@avon-somerset.probation.gsi.gov.uk

Direct tel: 0117 9447246

Direct fax: 07917 464 550