This month, as CEO of Rebuilding Futures Alliance, I did something I never thought I would do. I stepped inside a prison for the first time. I met dedicated staff who work tirelessly every day and spoke with residents whose stories will stay with me for a long time.
If you have never walked behind those gates, you probably have a fixed idea of what prison life is like, I certainly did. But once inside, I realised that the reality is not always what people expect.
Walking through the grounds, I discovered a place that felt more like a small, enclosed village than the harsh environment I had pictured. There is a health centre, a chapel, workshops, classrooms, and residential wings. In many ways, it has everything you would find in a small community just surrounded by walls and fences.
One thing that stood out to me was how residents make their cells feel like home. Some leave their shoes outside to keep the floor clean. Many pin up photos of partners, children and family snapshots of the life they hope to return to, or rebuild, once they leave. It reminded me of my own house; my children’s muddy shoes left at the door (or sometimes not!) and our walls covered with memories of years gone by.
Another thing I did not expect was the strong sense of community and routine. Many people in prison work jobs inside, study for qualifications or train in trades. There is a clear daily rhythm, tasks to do, skills to build, people to see. Of course, it is far from easy, but that structure and sense of belonging can make a huge difference to someone whose life before prison may have been chaotic.
Yet walking back through the gates and into freedom can be the biggest challenge of all. One day you step out, but instead of a plan, there is often nothing. No job. No stable place to live. No income. Some people leave prison with nowhere to stay that very night. The pull to return to old ways is strong not because someone wants to reoffend, but because survival sometimes leaves no other option.
Last week I also attended the Lost Boys conference at Elland Road and heard many people speak, including Gareth Southgate (ex-England Manager), about the Lost Boys report written by the Centre for Social Justice, an important piece of work that should be required reading for anyone who cares about their communities and our young people.
The report lays bare how too many young men, and increasingly young women, are being let down by systems meant to protect them. Mark Libby from the Centre for Social Justice says: “We lose thousands of people to prison every year, each and every one capable. Young lads are growing up in broken families and lacking positive male role models; you are now more likely to grow up with a smartphone in your pocket than a father in your life. Boys increasingly underperform at school, become excluded, and fail to find work. In the search for identity, belonging and success kids instead are welcomed by gangs or turn to violence and crime. Most just need something or someone to show an interest, to put them on the right path and give them a chance.”
And many of these young people have never really been given a proper chance. For some, prison becomes the first place they find stability, daily routine and clear expectations even if it is the wrong kind of belonging. Imagine what could be possible if we offered that same sense of belonging and structure before they ever end up inside or if we help them keep hold of it when they come home.
This is where employers play a vital role and why I believe the transport sector is uniquely placed to lead the way. Transport runs on people: drivers, engineers, mechanics, planners, support staff and more. It is an industry that depends on teamwork, skills, reliability and commitment. It is also an industry facing huge challenges finding and keeping people with the right skills.
For people who have lived under rigid prison rules, the structure and purpose of steady work can be the anchor that keeps them moving towards something better.
Of course, hiring someone who has spent time in prison takes careful planning. But what I hear time and time again from employers who have done it is that they find some of the most loyal, motivated people they have ever employed. These people know what is at stake and they are determined not to waste their second chance.
And the impact does not stop with that one person. When someone turns their life around, they lift their family up too. Children see their parent going to work, not disappearing behind bars. Communities gain role models instead of repeat offenders. Employers gain loyal staff who bring energy, gratitude and dedication.
Naturally, employers have concerns, ‘What if something goes wrong?’. That is why our charity partners never place someone and then walk away. We provide wraparound support for both the employee and the business for up to 12 months. If any issues arise, help is there.
The biggest thing I came away with after my prison visit was that there is so much untapped potential behind those gates, people ready to prove they are more than the worst thing they ever did. They want to work. They want to contribute. They want to belong.
The transport industry is crying out for reliable, committed people. At the same time, it has the power to stop the cycle described in the Lost Boys report. One job offer, one apprenticeship, one open door can help someone step away from a life of crime and become part of something positive and lasting.
So, my ask to transport leaders reading this is simple: be open-minded. Talk to us. Learn about the support we provide to help make this a success for you and the person you hire. If you have targets to employ from this marginalised group, it is not about lowering standards; it is about opening the door to overlooked talent.
One second chance can transform a life, break a cycle that traps families for generations, strengthen teams with people who truly value the opportunity they have been given, and give someone a reason to believe tomorrow can be better than today, helping build stronger families, stronger communities and a stronger workforce for everyone.
If you are an employer who wants to help make this happen, please get in touch with me at [email protected]. Together, we can guide you through what it takes to give someone that chance responsibly and safely.
