The case for rehabilitation

EVERYONE MAKES mistakes. Whether it be at work or at home, whether they be big or small, mistakes are what make us human. 

However, some mistakes are more life-altering than others. For criminal behaviour, the phrase “do the crime, pay the time” is applied and upheld by the UK justice system. While these sentences reflect the choices made by offenders, their repayment often extends far beyond their sentencing.

Numerous factors cause ex-offenders to reoffend after their release. Childhood trauma, schooling issues, family issues (prior to offending), drug use, mental health issues, PTSD, accommodation, and employment. All of these, especially from a young age, can result in criminal behaviour. 

Between 2000-2021, 49% of convictions were for prolific offenders, those who have been convicted of 15 or more offences. Indeed, 76% of these offenders had received their first prison sentence by the age of 21. 

Re-offenders often start out young. Without existing structures of support in an individuals’ youth, a lack of employment opportunities can turn them to criminal behaviour. Once released, both employer and wider social stigmatisation ensures they repeat this cycle. 

Organisations have the power to change this. 

Newer statistics show rapid progress has been made to boost employment for prison leavers. The number of ex-offenders successfully steered into jobs within 6 months has more than doubled, from 14% to 30% since April 2021.

In April 2023, data showed that the proportion of prison leavers finding work within six weeks of release had increased from 15% to 19% compared to a year prior. A further 30% also found work after 6 months, up from 23%.

Through these initiatives, we can break this vicious cycle. 

Providing much needed support 

The UK has a labour shortage, especially amongst younger generations. The UK Labour Market Overview reported that the market was lagging behind pre-pandemic employment rates for 16-64 year olds. 

This gap must be filled, and ex-offenders are the answer. An untapped workforce, many are highly skilled and enthusiastic to be given a chance to change their lives. However, stigmatisation means that many struggle to gain employment. 

Progress can only be achieved through holistic methods of rehabilitation. One way to ensure this is through local community partnerships between charities and employers, to provide a range of accommodations and catered action plans. 

Before opportunities can be given, ex-offenders first need empathy, openness and understanding. By instilling trust in those previously left dejected and unheard, lives can be transformed. Together, organisations can make positive social and economic changes, and plug damaging labour gaps in the process. 

The FM industry is poised to facilitate these changes. Cleaning roles, which offer flexibility for shift-work hours, can build up employee skill over time without requiring qualifications and can offer progression to managerial roles. 

These opportunities can also translate into further career progression both inside and outside the FM roles themselves. By coming together, multiple FM companies can offer career pathways through partnering with their client organisations. 

The best way to exemplify just how successful rehabilitation schemes can be is by hearing the success stories, firsthand: 

Niall’s story 

Niall is a former convict working as a cleaner in SBFM’s head offices. He was given a career progression opportunity through SBFM’s project Evolve, and its work with HMP Wealstun. 

Niall said: “After taking the leap and coming out as gay in 2014, I faced a lot of abuse in my first relationship. When I eventually broke up with my partner, I was also the one to leave the home we had built together. 

“From there. I messed up completely. I abused drugs, stopped showing up to my warehouse job, fell out with friends, and fell in with an older crowd. This led me to committing a crime. 

“When my co-defendants made a plea deal against me, I knew I’d face more prison time. So, for the most part, I spent my bail period re-committing myself to my family. But I couldn’t bring myself to face my fate after serving time less than a decade before. I missed my court date and committed further offences on bail. 

“This added an extra nine months to my sentence, but now I see it as a blessing in disguise. During the final weeks of my sentence, I found SBFM. 

“When I left prison after my first offence, I struggled with the employment process. I enjoyed my warehouse job, but I felt constantly judged by employers. 

“When I was asked about my criminal history in one job interview, I wanted the floor to swallow me up. When people expect you to reoffend, a small part of you thinks somehow, you might as well. 

“Everything was different with Evolve. Getting a job before you leave prison is unheard of, so I thought the programme was too good to be true. After I met with the team, I felt like I could be open about my past and my current struggles them. I could see SBFM’s enthusiasm for my progression. It really felt like someone cared about me. 

“Only a week after leaving prison, I started my first role as a cleaner for PureGym, an SBFM Evolve Partner. For the first time with an employer, I didn’t have to lie, hide, or pretend to be someone I’m not. All I’ve ever wanted is to be myself. 

“I started to feel self-conscious in the fitness environment. I had gained nine stone in prison and felt anxious there. When I told my SBFM manager, Staci, she offered me a transfer within a day. I then began a cleaning role in SBFM’s main office. It was a pinch-yourself moment. Not only did this company offer me a job, they cared about my happiness too. 

“The support Evolve offers has helped grow in confidence. In my personal life, my friends and family have noted how I now descale conflict, rather than escalate it. I can be who I want to be, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted. This scheme has given me a sense of purpose as well as a career path. 

“I’m not going to lie, I still have struggles, but this support makes a world of difference. Though I’m happy cleaning right now, I really want to grow with Evolve. I hope to progress to the helpdesk, or maybe become a cleaning area manager. Evolve has given me opportunities former offenders often struggle to access. I want to do right by SBFM and make them proud.” 

Agnes’ story 

Agnes Becsei is now Head of Projects for SBFM. After years of experiencing employment disadvantages firsthand, she is now dedicating her time to giving historically hidden workers the chance to shine, through Evolve. 

Through her own informal mentorship, she progressed to a Regional Manager role. Despite her advancement, she was unable to help against the stigmatisation of Roberto, an ex-offender and one of her mentees: 

“Roberto was a highly regarded Store Cleaning Manager who was great at his job in every respect. However, a year before it was due to be cleared, his previous criminal conviction was uncovered at work.  

“The retail client didn’t accept anyone with a criminal history as either direct staff or through contractors, so they instigated dismissal. 

“I did everything in my power to keep Roberto. We lost one of our best Cleaning Managers due to an unfair judgement of his past. That was the criminal part. What message does that send? He had a wife and two children to support, and this could have pushed him back to criminality by depriving him of his income. 

“After an extremely tough year mentally and financially, his record was cleared, and he could get back on his feet. There are so many barriers for hidden workers that I hope to address with Evolve. After my own experiences, I strongly believe that if people are willing, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help them.” 

Moving forward

Both Niall and Agnes felt helpless when faced with barriers to rehabilitation. The immediate dismissal, or lack of empathy towards ex-offenders’ mental, physical, and environmental struggles, leave many ex-offenders feeling the same way. 

Colin Shute, owner and founder of SBFM, reflected on this sentiment: “By enabling the reintegration of ex-offenders into the labour market, our industry can transform lives. This holds immense advantages for UK business, while also serving as a crucial lifeline for individuals in search of employment opportunities. It is important to help these individuals who need a jump-start, especially as many were already trained and skilled workers in their past.” 

SBFM’s Evolve project extends beyond prisoner rehabilitation. The scheme offers career progression plans for multiple groups: care leavers, people with unseen disabilities, former sports professionals, long term unemployed individuals, and ex-forces personnel. 

This can only be achieved by bridging together non-profit organisations, local authorities, and SBFM’s clients, who are titled Evolve Partners. 

Everyone makes mistakes, but everyone deserves the chance to start again. Ex-offenders are the clear answer to a growing labour shortage, and further vulnerable workers deserve equal opportunities in the workplace. We can achieve this, but only when organisations across the industry offer a helping hand. 

Kelly Dolphin is people and culture director at SBFM.

For more information visit https://sb-fm.co.uk/​