Road to Rehabilitation
PCE is delighted to see the first cohort of prisoners participating in the HMP Fosse Way rehabilitation workshop complete the 12-week programme.
PCE, with the support of Serco, who run the prison on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, have established an industrial workshop within HMP Fosse Way. PCE and Serco employ prisoners in the workshop to manufacture components used for construction across both the public and private sectors in the UK.
Within the first cohort, 12 participating prisoners demonstrated an eagerness, commitment, and willingness to embrace the opportunity to learn new skills. Across the 3 month programme, over 60 components were manufactured. Participants also manufactured components for the new houseblock construction within HMP Fosse Way, including columns and riser upstands.
The workshop environment has been designed to mimic real-world employment, whereby participants receive job descriptions, responsibilities, and payment. This approach helps prepare people for life after release.
Re-immerse. Re-educate. Rehabilitate.
Teaching participants key skills across manufacturing will help provide prisoners with the confidence and career pathway to re-immerse themselves back into society. It will help in nurturing a skillset that can continue to be developed upon release.
Competencies taught include:
- Learning about offsite manufacturing
- Understanding the principles of DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly)
- Developing knowledge on the latest manufacturing methodologies
- Learning the importance of, and how to, manage quality control
- Understanding the benefits of hybrid manufacturing
- How to use technology within manufacturing
- Understanding the role of supply chain management.
In addition, participants had the opportunity to develop transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, organisation, and housekeeping.
Participating prisoners who show the right behaviours and skillset receive a certified PCE endorsement. This certificate verifies that the recipient’s efforts, behaviours, and ability align with what PCE would expect from its own employees. It is intended that this certified document will help prison leavers in gaining employment upon their release, either with PCE, across the industry, or beyond.
A Pathway Forward
“Workshop 5 exemplifies our commitment to rehabilitation within the prison estate. Led by one of our key, trusted suppliers PCE, participants gain hands-on experience, guidance, and training. This ensures they leave prison with both technical and transferable skills, helping support their successful reintegration into society and where possible, opportunities to work on the prison expansion projects to truly give back to society." – Raj Singh OBE, Principal Project Manager at the Ministry of Justice
The workshop at HMP Fosse Way has so far proved to be a great success. With the continued support of the MoJ and Serco, this rehabilitative programme could have a significant impact, helping reduce reoffending and improve re-integration.
HMP Fosse Way image credit: Rikesh Patel
