Published date:
By Siobhán Cafferty
The year 2020 is one we will never forget. In a matter of weeks, the world was taken by complete surprise and gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects of this major health issue are still ongoing and have had knock-on ramifications on other sectors. With the closure of many businesses in an attempt to suppress the virus, the unemployment rates internationally soared, with those most marginalised and previously excluded from the labour market feeling the impact disproportionately.
People with convictions, who historically have faced barriers to securing employment due to their criminal record, are just one of these marginalised groups. Now more than ever, an ambitious, coherent and collaborative approach to increasing employment options for people with a criminal past is needed. Working to Change – Social Enterprise and Employment Strategy 2021– 2023 is designed to do just that. This paper begins by setting out the journey to this new strategy. It provides the context and the infrastructure that needed to be in place in order for the Department of Justice to be in a position to launch this ambitious and forward-thinking strategy.
The paper outlines the co-design approach taken in its development, as well as detailing the underpinning principles of the employment-focused strategy for people with criminal convictions. It concludes with a snapshot of the most significant actions included in the strategy that will require an interdepartmental approach to implementation.
Keywords: Interdepartmental, social enterprise, offenders, criminal justice, co-design, employment, desistance, recidivism, entrepreneurship, progression, prison, probation.