23 April 2015

Representatives from around 15 organisations, including Merseyrail, Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Integral, visited a Merseyside prison where they met with prisoners and learned about the challenges facing ex-offenders in their search for employment.

Carillion, which is currently constructing the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Anfield Stadium Main Stand expansion project, hosted the visit as part of 'Responsible Business Week,' an awareness campaign run by Business in the Community to demonstrate the ways in which businesses can work together to deliver a fairer society and more sustainable future.

Carillion was one of the first businesses to join Business in the Community's 'Ban the Box' campaign which removes criminal conviction requests in application forms until later in the recruitment process. This has proven to motivate and inspire a more diverse group of applicants who understand they will be considered for positions based on their strengths.

Adam Green, Managing Director, Carillion Construction Services said: "We have experienced first-hand how powerful visits such as these are and want to show other businesses how they can offer a route out of re-offending through employment. With the increased need for skilled people in construction and support services, there is a fundamental need to create lasting social value through employability."

Rachel Komrska-Russon, Regional Manager, Business in the Community said: "Visits such as these are designed to inspire and challenge by offering business leaders real-life insight into some of the most pressing social issues in our communities.

"There are over 10 million people in the UK with a criminal conviction and employment is proven to reduce re-offending by up to 50%.

"Creating meaningful employment is one of the most significant ways that business contributes to the livelihoods of individual and communities, By providing access to work and being able to compete fairly for work means ex-offenders can contribute to society and lower crime levels in our communities."

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