Amey has teamed up with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) charity to launch a new rehabilitation initiative for young offenders in England and Wales.
Aimed at helping young people in prison acquire the skills necessary to find employment upon release, the Step Ahead Pathway programme has been introduced at HMP Brinsford in Wolverhampton.
With research indicating that young people who are not involved in training, education or employment are five times more likely to have a criminal record, Amey's new programme is hoping to ‘break that cycle and reduce the £18 billion total annual cost of reoffending to taxpayers'.
Aimed at prisoners under the age of 24, participants will work over six months to achieve a Bronze DofE Award whilst also gaining practical ‘hands-on experience' with Amey to prepare for job opportunities once they leave prison.
Co-created with prison staff, the initiative has an initial three-year commitment and is expected to support up to 168 young offenders during that time.
Rickilee Marston, learning and skills manager at HMP Brinsford, said: ‘As individuals transition towards release, our rehabilitation approach will now be supported by the Amey and Duke of Edinburgh's Award teams through the Step Ahead programme, while working in partnership with our dedicated employment lead to secure job opportunities in the community.
‘By combining practical qualifications, life skills, and through-the-gate support, this initiative reflects our commitment to reducing reoffending and empowering individuals to build positive futures.'
Emily Davies, ESG director at Amey, said: ‘Young people in prison are one of society's most marginalised groups, often with limited means to improve their circumstances. This programme forms part of our wider rehabilitation approach that aims to remove barriers and unlock talent across the prison estate.
‘Our approach to reducing reoffending has been developed alongside the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service, Employment Advisory Boards, charities and those with lived experience over the last 10 years. With more than 10,000 young people serving sentences in prison, this is the latest step forward in our joint ambition to reduce reoffending.'
Emily Cooke, youth justice programme manager at DofE, said: ‘By combining the structure and personal growth of a DofE programme with practical work experience, we're equipping young people to take real steps towards employment – a key factor in reducing re-offending. Every young person deserves the opportunity to move forward, and this programme is a powerful example of how targeted support and practical experience can help young people in prison build towards a more positive future.'
