Accessing employment after leaving London’s prisons
The number of people being released from prison in London rose by 5 per cent in the year to March 2024, increasing from 9,070 to 9,520.1
Prison leavers who get a job are almost 10% less likely to reoffend, but London is below the national average for people finding employment within six weeks of leaving prison.2
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee will meet with charities and a prison service representative to understand the challenges prison leavers face when seeking employment.
The guests are:
Panel 1 (14:00 – 15:25):
- Jon Collins, Chief Executive, Prisoners’ Education Trust
- Paul Clarkson, Director of Quality and Training, The Clink Charity
- Helena Hamilton, Head of Education, Skills and Work, HMP Wandsworth
Panel 2 (15:30 – 17:00):
- Matt Randle, Director of Justice, Catch22
- Penny Parker, Chief Executive Officer, StandOut
- Sian Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Switchback
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 16 July 2025 from 2pm in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Ministry of Justice, Housed on Release from Custody Data Tables, 17 February 2025
- London Reducing Reoffending Plan 2022-25 Annual Update 2023
- Full agenda papers.
- Hina Bokhari OBE AM, Chair of the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Tony Smyth in the Assembly Media Office on 07763 251727 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.