Breaking the prison leaver stigma to boost London’s economy

Prison leavers in London are less likely to find and maintain employment compared to those in the rest of the country, with over 80 per cent of leavers unable to find a job. Staffing shortages, overcrowding, an underfunded probation service and a lack of joined-up support after release are all listed as key factors in this.

Official statistics show that in 2023-24, just 17.1 per cent of ex-offenders in London were employed six weeks after release from custody.¹ This rises to 27.9 per cent after six months - still fewer than one in three.²

This is slightly lower than the national average across England and Wales, with 19.3 per cent of ex-offenders employed after six weeks, rising to 31.1 per cent after six months.³

The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has today published its report – Employment in London after prison – highlighting the challenges prison leavers face in accessing employment, and the impact this has on London’s economy.

Employers have traditionally been reluctant to employ people who have spent time in prison. However, employers with experience of working with prison leavers highlighted that although negative stereotypes exist, they are not based on facts or experience.

The Committee has called for additional funding for training for people in prison to help them prepare for future employment opportunities and to better prepare prisoners to play an active role in society and boost the wider economy.

Recommendations include:

• Additional funding is required to improve education and training for people in prison to help them prepare for future employment opportunities.
• The Mayor should convene London’s prison governors to discuss the potential and challenges of the use of Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) in London prisons, with the aim of re-establishing access to ROTL in at least two London prisons by the end of 2027.
• The Greater London Authority should launch a small-scale scheme to attract and recruit people who have been to prison within the next 12 months.

Hina Bokhari OBE AM, Chair of the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee, said:

“The challenge of improving employment outcomes for people leaving prison is highly complex, and is not something that will change overnight.

“We heard from employers how prison leavers are essentially an untapped market of workers who can play a pivotal role in boosting the economy, whilst reducing reoffending rates.

“However, the stigma associated with prison leavers weighs heavy on the minds of employers, who often choose alternative options when hiring for roles.

“Ex-offenders often show a higher dedication and commitment to succeeding in roles because they see it as their last chance to turn their lives around. This should be commended and rewarded, but far too often it is ignored.

“Years of underfunding from governments has made it that much harder for prisons to prepare soon-to-be leavers for the working world, and we want to see this change.

“Boosting funding for training in prisons and the Mayor taking a lead in breaking the stigma would be a huge step towards maximising the skills of all Londoners, and we urge the Mayor and government to take forward our recommendations in this report.”