Serco, which manages six prisons in the UK, announces that it is launching a ‘Guaranteed Interview Scheme’, under which any applicant who declares that they have a criminal conviction will be given a job interview. People applying need to meet the minimum criteria for the job and must pass our screening and vetting criteria needed to conduct the role.
Commenting on the scheme launch, Paul Gaskin, Serco’s HR Director, UK and Europe, said: “Serco runs six prisons in the UK and we see first-hand the number of people who reoffend after leaving prison and return to jail. We are determined to help improve the situation and reduce the numbers of people who re-offend on leaving prison where we can by helping ex-offenders to find work.”
Between a quarter and a third of prisoners released from custody in the UK re-offend within a year of being released. Ex-offenders have to contend with many complex issues and circumstances on release and without the right support many return to criminality. Having a home, staying connected with family and having a job are three key factors in helping prevent reoffending.
Serco has also signed up to the nationally recognised Ban the Box initiative in November 2018.
Some roles in our Leisure and Health businesses may be exempt from employing people with either spent or unspent convictions due to the nature of the work we carry out on behalf of our clients.