Getting into work or training - Nacro

A brief guide to resettlement on releaseGetting into workor trainingIf you want a job or to get into education or trainingwhen you leave prison, this leaflet is for you. It sets outwhat you need to do to find employment or training andhow to overcome some of the obstacles you may face.Nacro’s Resettlement Plus Helpline 0800 0181 259

The problems you faceIf you are looking for a job afterprison, the main problem you faceis employers’ attitudes. Mostemployers look for people witha good work track record and nocriminal record, and this createsobstacles for many prisoners.If you do find a job or an educationor training place, one of thebiggest problems can be findingmoney for things like clothing,equipment, books and course fees.There is very little funding availableapart from what governmentschemes provide. But there arecharitable trusts that will sometimesprovide small amounts of funding.What you can doWhile it may not be easy, there arethings you can do to increase yourchance of success including:Show that you can dothe jobDespite general employer attitudes,there are still many employers whowill consider taking you on if youhave the ability to do the job andyou are the best person for it. Thisis especially true of private sectoremployers. However, you will needto reassure employers that you arenot a risk and that you have a goodattitude to work.Ask family and friendsOne of the best ways of finding ajob is through informal contacts.One in four jobs are found throughrelatives and friends who know ofsomeone who can offer a job.Consider educationand trainingMany people want to find a jobwhen they leave prison because theyneed to earn money. But if you willbe leaving prison with a lot ofunresolved problems, you may notbe ready for employment and maybe better off looking for an educationor training place where you will getsome support.Contact Nacro’sResettlement Plus Helpline(freephone)Nacro’s Resettlement Plus Helplinecan provide you with help if you arelooking for a job. We cannot supplyyou with a list of employers who areprepared to take people straight fromprison because no such list exists.But we can provide you with guidanceon applying for work with a criminalrecord. Call us free on 0800 0181 259or write to us at the followingaddress: Nacro, 159 Clapham Road,London SW9 0PU.The helpline can also provideinformation about education andtraining services in your home area.Tell us which town or city you intendto go to when you leave prison, andwe will find out what services areavailable in that area to help you.We can also provide information aboutgetting funding for education andtraining. Any application you makefor funding will need to be strong and,where necessary, you should also gethelp with this within the prison.

Nacro’s ResettlementPlus Helpline providesan information and adviceservice for prisoners, exoffenders,family and friendsand others who need helpwith housing, jobs, educationand training, and othermatters affecting peoplewith a criminal record. Youcan ring the helpline on0800 0181 259 or write tous at the following address:Nacro, 159 Clapham Road,London SW9 0PU. Theservice is open between 9amand 5pm, Monday to Friday.www.nacro.org.uk

Getting into work or training• Show employers that you can do the job and that youhave a good attitude to work• Ask family and friends if they know of someone whocan offer a job• Consider education or training• Contact Nacro’s Resettlement Plus HelplineYou can ring the helpline on 0800 0181 259 or write tous at Nacro, 159 Clapham Road, London SW9 0PU. Theservice is open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.Nacro is registered as a charity, number 226171 2008Photos: www.stuartrayner.com and www.id8photography.co.ukNacro is very grateful to everyone who appears in the photos. Please note, it should not be assumed that any individuals depicted have anyassociation with the stories or activities described in the text.