providing reintegration opportunities through employment.
The overall aim was to provide rehabilitation support and resources for prisoners, working alongside Inside Connections to develop a tailored solution that placed emphasis on support, mentorship, and consistent communication.
the challenge.
A leading main contractor was dedicated to making a positive impact on local communities through its projects. However, it faced a challenge: how to fulfil its social value commitments, while simultaneously addressing the barriers faced by people in custody as they prepared for reintegration into society. For the organisation, the focus was not just on meeting labour needs, but on contributing to long-term rehabilitation efforts. This included creating a pathway for prisoners to secure stable employment and, in turn, build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
To achieve this, Randstad, in partnership with Inside Connections, stepped in. Their challenge was to identify employment opportunities for prisoners using Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL). However, navigating the ROTL framework came with its own set of hurdles. Many employers were hesitant to engage with it, primarily due to the administrative complexity surrounding payroll. ROTL contracts require wages to be paid first to the prison, where deductions are made before any funds reach the prisoner. This added layer of bureaucracy, coupled with concerns about modern slavery regulations, often discouraged companies from providing prisoners with the work experience they desperately needed to transition back into society.
the goal.
Randstad worked with Inside Connections to develop a tailored solution that placed emphasis on support, mentorship, and consistent communication. Pairing prisoners with mentors who had personal experience in the prison system was pivotal. These mentors acted as both positive role models and accessible points of contact, offering guidance and encouragement to the prisoners. Weekly check-ins ensured that the participants remained engaged and on track with their work commitments.
To create awareness of these job opportunities, Randstad utilised prison job boards, where prisoners could learn about the available positions. This was followed by a series of in-person interviews, giving the participants the chance to demonstrate their skills and suitability for the roles. Randstad worked closely with Inside Connections to coordinate the entire recruitment process, including negotiating start dates and securing job offers for successful candidates.
Handling the administrative complexities was another vital aspect of the solution. Randstad managed timesheets and payroll for the participants, ensuring compliance with the legal requirements related to ROTL and modern slavery laws. By taking care of the extensive paperwork, Randstad made it easier for the contractor to engage in this initiative without getting bogged down by bureaucratic challenges. This allowed everyone involved to focus on what truly mattered: providing prisoners with an opportunity to rehabilitate and rebuild their lives.
the solution.
Click on the dropdowns below to explore the solutions we implemented to create employment opportunities for inmates:
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Mentorship
Randstad worked with Inside Connections to develop a tailored solution that placed emphasis on support, mentorship, and consistent communication. Pairing prisoners with mentors who had personal experience in the prison system was pivotal. These mentors acted as both positive role models and accessible points of contact, offering guidance and encouragement to the prisoners. Weekly check-ins ensured that the participants remained engaged and on track with their work commitments.
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promotion of job opportunities
To create awareness of these job opportunities, Randstad utilised prison job boards, where prisoners could learn about the available positions. This was followed by a series of in-person interviews, giving the participants the chance to demonstrate their skills and suitability for the roles. Randstad worked closely with Inside Connections to coordinate the entire recruitment process, including negotiating start dates and securing job offers for successful candidates.
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Administrative support
Handling the administrative complexities was another vital aspect of the solution. Randstad managed timesheets and payroll for the participants, ensuring compliance with the legal requirements related to ROTL and modern slavery laws. By taking care of the extensive paperwork, Randstad simplified this initiative without getting bogged down by bureaucratic challenges. This allowed everyone involved to focus on what truly mattered: providing prisoners with an opportunity to rehabilitate and rebuild their lives.
