A new national alliance has launched to help relieve pressure on prison places by supporting people with past convictions to get jobs across Britain’s transport sector.
Rebuilding Futures Alliance (RFA) has now begun work to bring 100+ past conviction charities together – and by working directly with transport’s biggest employers, the Alliance will help place and track low risk ex-offenders – tackling the workforce shortage in the sector.
Founded by transport expert, Chris Leech MBE, the Alliance will connect those individual charities with major transport employers. The RFA believes this will break the cycle of criminality amongst the UK’s low risk prison population by offering them the chance to learn a skilled trade across the rail, bus and metro networks in Britain.
The RFA says reoffending rates are amongst the highest in the western world. One in two people reoffend within 12 months of release, compared to one in five if they secure a job with purpose. According to Government stats, the average cost to keep a prisoner in jail in 2022-23 was £51,108. And reoffending costs the UK £18.1 billion annually.
An employment tracker devised by partners, Genius, and a social value impact model created by partners Loop and the Rail Safety & Standards Board will be used to track each person’s progress into employment and measure the value to the economy, respectively.
The launch of the RFA took place at St. Pancras International and was attended by major groups Department for Transport, Department for Work and Pensions, High Speed 1, Network Rail and the Centre for Social Justice along with key charity partners such as Clean Slate Solutions.
The RFA board is made up of industry leaders including Nick Millington MBE, Network Rail Route Director; Peter Wilkinson, Major Projects Director DfT; Elaine Clark OBE, CEO Rail Forum; Dr Louise Cheesman, NED Go Ahead Group; Jan Garill Deputy Lieutenant North Yorkshire; Sharron Clow HR/Social Value consultant; Alex Ozioro Head of Government Relations and Corporate Affairs RSSB; Kay Coleman Managing Director Swanson Buck; Gemma Thomas Head of HR Wales & Boarders Network Rail, Chris Leech MBE founder of RFA.
The RFA is now calling on charities working with people with past convictions and transport employers to be part of the project.
Chris Leech MBE, Director of RFA, said: “This is the start of the journey and over the coming months and years this new Alliance will be game-changing for transport, prisons, people and the communities we serve – along with a boost to the economy with more people in work, paying more tax. Add in the savings to the taxpayers in reducing the prison population, even by a fraction, and it makes complete sense and underpins our mission to deliver shared-value creation, where everyone benefits.
“The support we’ve had for the launch has been overwhelming by industry and charity leaders, which proves the concept is right – it’s now about the delivery. Charities up and down the country supporting those with past convictions will continue to do their brilliant work, but we will be the glue that binds them together with the major employers across the transport sector – visionary companies who see the benefits in giving someone a second chance.
“In short, the transport sector integrates into every part of the UK. We are an amazing sector created for a social purpose. This programme demonstrates that beyond government policies, its businesses that have the power to affect positive change in society. The journey starts now.”
Lord Peter Hendy CBE, Minister of State for Rail, said: “Railway 200 is not just a celebration of the past, but also of the present and future. The year-long celebration provides a great opportunity to highlight the vital role the rail industry plays in creating jobs and opportunities across Britain.
“It is crucial to continue embracing diversity and expanding access to careers in rail, and the Rebuilding Futures Alliance could play a key role in this.”
Peter Wilkinson, Major Rail Projects Director for Department for Transport, said: “The RFA is making the case for a fairer society and one that is more forgiving to those of us who have made our mistakes, and I include myself in this. Social mobility and supporting those seeking to move on from past mistakes is something the rail industry can offer. It’s a fantastic industry in which to develop as a person, supported by thousands of amazing staff who come from across all sections of our society. Caring for each other, supporting each other through the trials of our lives, should be in the DNA of this great industry”.
Richard Brice, Founder of charity Clean Slate Solutions, said: “We wholeheartedly support this movement for change, adding to the growing momentum of opportunities being made available in the UK for people with a past conviction to rebuild their lives through secure employment. Our candidates and the charity as a whole can only benefit through linking with this initiative.”
Mark Libby, Regional Manager (North East) Centre for Social Justice, said: “Having served time myself, I recall pacing the yard with many inmates. Caught in this unfamiliar world, and contrary to my own prejudice, I discovered some fantastic people.
“The hardest time of my sentence started when I returned home. As a prison leaver I know first-hand the burning desire to rebuild, and the crushing reality of the barriers preventing this being achieved. Rebuilding Futures Alliance offers a pathway to harness this workforce. A chance not just for the prison leaver, but for employers to strengthen their organisation.”
In rail alone, a recent NSAR survey* reports:
- 90,000 people leaving rail industry through retirement etc. during next five years
- Workforce in rail decreased by 9.4% in last year
- 2025-2029, sector could generate additional £344m in economic value from jobs created, plus nearly £122m in social value benefits over next five years
It is thought this is the first time one not-for-profit organisation has been created to connect the amazing work ex-offender employment charities do with employers nationally.
The RFA hopes to branch out across more sectors once the transport rollout is completed.
For more information see www.rebuildingfuturesalliance.com
