A NEW training programme is being offered to inmates at an open prison in Warrington.

It is designed specifically for those soon to be leaving prison and seeking employment.

The programme, which is being delivered at HM Thorn Cross, will not only offer vocational training but will also serve as a platform for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

It comes after the Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC) has forged a new partnership with the Ministry of Justice, described as a ‘groundbreaking endeavour’.

To facilitate the initiative, the ABC Assessment Centre is bringing its state-of-the-art training rigs into Thorn Cross prison and in partnership with Cara Brickwork, it is delivering a 16-week training programme to Level 2 Diploma students.

Warrington Guardian:

The intensive course will provide learners with the additional skills necessary to work on sites managed by ABC Members, ensuring they are equipped to sustain employment upon release.

The training programme will follow a model similar to that employed in partnership with Further Education (FE) colleges.

However, the difference is that the candidates will already be linked to an employer before their release, ensuring a smooth transition and a greater chance of securing stable employment.

The scheme has already secured the support of eight companies located in close proximity to Thorn Cross.

CEO of the Association of Brickwork Contractors, Eve Livett, said: "We are incredibly proud to have launched this training and rehabilitation programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice.

“By extending opportunities for education and employment to those leaving prison, we aim to break the cycle of reoffending and empower individuals to rebuild their lives.

“We believe in the transformative power of second chances and the importance of offering support and opportunities for those who seek a fresh start."

Neil Allen, managing director at Cara Brickwork, added: “Cara Group has been involved with Thorn Cross for many years, offering guidance and advice to the brickwork department with the aim of enhancing the prospects for prisoners when they are released.

"Through this established relationship, I was able to introduce the ABC to the team at Thorn Cross who have now got the contract to deliver the training courses within the prison.

“The prisoners that I have spoken with and interviewed seem like genuine people who have taken the wrong path in life and need a second chance.

"We hope that by educating them while they are in prison will pave the path for a brighter future upon release. We want them to re-enter society with useful skills and a renewed sense of purpose.

“We are soon to be taking our first prisoner out on ROTL (Release on Temporary License) and are excited about helping to advance his career towards becoming a bricklayer. We hope that when he can see the possibilities of the career that could be ahead for him, that it will discourage any future involvement in crime.”