11.12.2007

Speedy rehab

Speedy Hire and Her Majesty's Prison Service have launched a new plant maintenance rehabilitation scheme that provides vocational plant maintenance training for prisoners.

The initiative - being tested in HMP Garth and HMP Pentonville prisons - involves more than 100 prisoners currently being trained in the repair and maintenance of tools and equipment.

It is hoped that the scheme will lead to employment for prisoners that reach the required training standards, on their release.

Steve Palmer, UK workshops director and Steve Russell general workshops manager at Speedy Hire are responsible for implementing the scheme.

Palmer said: "We've worked closely with HM Prison Service to develop fully equipped workshops for prisoners, which share much in common with the maintenance facilities at our 20 tool hire workshops. Our suppliers are supportive of the scheme and a number have taken the time to go into the prisons and train prisoners on their specific products. Due to the success of the trial, we are considering rolling out the scheme to other prisons
across the UK."

Peter Delves, business account manager from HM Prison Service, added: "We encourage employer-backed rehabilitation schemes as it helps prisoners to focus on life after prison and get equipped with valuable skills. The Speedy Hire training scheme has been extremely successful and is popular given its practical focus. We've already placed some of our ex-prisoners in positions at Speedy Hire workshops and we are keen to extend the training to other institutions."