Explores what interventions promote employment in offender populations. Considers the implementation issues for interventions aiming to promote offenders’ employment. Assesses the extent to which programmes are targeted according to assessment of needs. Details the characteristics of the studies which were included in the review. Highlights different categories of intervention: industrial work experience; community employment programmes; and vocational education.

Reviews of employment-focused interventions for offenders have suggested that they can reduce recidivism, however, policy makers remain cautious as not all interventions work equally well. This study sought to gain a more specific understanding of what works and for whom in this context.

The research comprised a systematic review of studies providing empirical evidence about interventions that focus on promoting employment for offenders.

Finds that there is evidence that interventions do make a difference to the employment rates of offenders. Suggests that programmes which assess individual needs will be more successful than those which do not.

Department for Education and Skills, tel. +44 (0) 845 602 2260

01/01/2006

//

Hurry, Jane; Brazier, Laura; Parker, Mary; Wilson, Anita

research

Urban Policy > Security & crime prevention > Tackling crime

Working with offenders