Interserve : signs contract to provide ...

Interserve has signed a £12 million contract with the Ministry of Justice to run six employment workshops at HMP Berwyn, a large new prison in Wrexham for five years.

The company will run the sessions at the £212 million Category C men's prison, which opened this year, to replicate a normal working environment where men will be able to improve their skills, employability and qualifications.

Yvonne Thomas, Interserve's Managing Director of Justice, said:

'I'm excited we can now start working with HMP Berwyn to support rehabilitation and to contribute to the Governor's vision for the prison. Interserve is committed to reducing re-offending through rehabilitation, which is at the very heart of what these workshops are intended to achieve.

'The men employed at the workshops will acquire skills to help prepare them for the transition into paid employment after their release. We are focused on making sure the transition from prison to the community for those released is made as smooth as possible through our close working relationship with our partners in Community Rehabilitation Companies and the National Probation Service.'

Interserve will provide employment places for 520 men in the workshops. The men will follow an attendance pattern that will provide a routine similar to working life outside of prison. Work undertaken at the workshops will be varied, and will reflect the type of opportunities those released from prison may have.

The company was named preferred bidder to run the workshops in January and the contract, which can be extended for up to two years, was signed earlier this month.