The Government have developed a range of offender programmes with a number of partners across the prison estate, including HMP Moorland, which are successfully tackling the root causes of re-offending and working to reduce social exclusion. Recently published figures show that we have reduced proven adult re-offending by 6.9 per cent. comparing 2004 to 1997.
“Reducing Re-offending Through Skills and Employment: Next Steps” (December 2006) set out our plans to put in place an increased focus on training offenders and helping them get jobs. The initiative at HMP Moorland is part of that strategy.
The West Coast rail scheme is a high quality practical based programme, paying a decent wage and providing close to release prisoners at Moorland, through a 12 week training programme including full safety training, with the rail industry specific NVQ level 2 qualification enabling them to work in the rail industry on release. Job vacancies in this sector have given rise to sustainable employment opportunities for prisoners, thereby reducing the likelihood of re-offending.