Fusion21

Helping to Break the Cycle

Fusion21 have been working with partners to look at new ways to improve prisoner’s job prospects as a direct response to the Green paper ‘Breaking the Cycle’. Since 2002 Fusion21 have created 799 sustainable jobs, a total of 250 positions have been taken by recruits with a background of offending.

Jan Agger, Head of Training & Employment, Fusion21 commented, “Our inclusive model of recruitment that has meant out of the 799 jobs we have created, over 250 jobs have gone to people who have had an offending background.

Fusion21 have never hosted offender programmes but use the employment opportunities we have to engage with all hard to reach groups in the communities in which we work.”

Steve Agger, Social Strategist at Fusion21 attended the National Offenders Management Service (NOMS) conference on Breaking the Cycle to discuss and explore partnership working with social enterprises. NOMS is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, and brings together HM Prisons Service and the Probation Service to enable a more effective service delivery.

Steve spoke at the event to discuss the Fusion21 Model for Employment and the opportunities the Fusion21 model can provide. Steve said, “There are real opportunities for social enterprises and the third sector generally to make a significant and lasting impression on the aspirations of the Ministry of Justice in wanting to reform the criminal justice system and reduce levels of re-offending.

Fusion21 can use its experience in employment skills training, and the substantive partnership arrangements it enjoys to seek real work opportunities for offenders."

Employment holds the key to offender rehabilitation, the social housing sector has employed former offenders for decades, Fusion21 are looking to engage with its partners to look at ways to reduce reoffending that will ultimately help to improve local communities.

Dave Neilson, Chief Executive at Fusion21 adds, “Landlords recognise that providing ex-offenders with work experience is as important as helping them to overcome drug addiction or find stable accommodation. Research shows that 70% of prisoners think having a job will be helpful in breaking the cycle of crime.”

He further added, “Reaching someone before they exit the prison gates can help landlords reduce the likelihood of that person re-offending on their patch. It can also help housing providers to meet their worklessness objectives and plug skill shortages.”

Follow this link to read a recent article by Dave Neilson on the Guardian Housing Network http://www.guardian.co.uk/housing-network/2011/jul/28/landlords-offer-prisoners-a-chance?INTCMP=SRCH